Missouri Food, Beverage Industry: Investment Magnet
Nestled in the center of America’s agricultural heartland, Missouri stands as a beacon of opportunity for companies in the food and beverage industry.
Missouri is attracting significant investments from both established players and newcomers. With the second-highest number of farms in the nation and a robust $94 billion agriculture industry, Missouri is emerging as a prime destination for companies looking to expand and thrive in the competitive food and beverage market. Industry leaders such as American Foods Group (AFG), Chick-fil-A Supply, and Principe Foods have recognized the strategic advantages of setting up shop in Missouri.
AFG is currently building a new $800 million state-of-the-art beef processing facility in Warren County, MO. AFG is family owned and employs more than 4,500 people across the U.S. The company evaluated multiple locations for its newest facility, where it plans to process 2,400 cattle per day.
“When AFG first approached our team about this project via the Harvest Group, we knew it would be extremely competitive,” said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership. “However, we were confident Missouri’s history in food processing, strengths in agriculture, and our central location would help us win AFG for our state. AFG is a leading beef processing company with an impeccable reputation. I’m looking forward to watching them grow here in Missouri.”
Chick-fil-A Supply is opening a new market distribution center in Maryland Heights, MO.
The company is a subsidiary of Chick-fil-A Inc., a leading restaurant chain with more than 2,600 restaurants across the U.S. The company is investing $16 million in the new facility, which is its fourth location in the U.S.
“Our newest investment in the St. Louis area provides us the opportunity to grow our business and uniquely serve our franchise operators, licensees, and their teams across the region,” said Josh Grote, Executive Director of Chick-fil-A Supply. “It’s exciting for us to expand our operation and create jobs that we know will attract exceptional talent from Missouri’s diverse and skilled workforce.”
Principe Foods, which produces high-quality Italian meats and charcuterie, recently cut the ribbon on its $200 million facility in Columbia, MO. Principe is a part of the Swift Prepared Foods portfolio of products. In May 2021, Swift cut the ribbon on a ready-to-eat, fully-cooked bacon production facility in Moberly, MO. The company’s decision to increase its presence in Missouri speaks volumes about the state’s allure for food and beverage businesses.
As the food and beverage industry continues to evolve and expand, Missouri stands poised to play a central role in its growth and development. With its abundant resources, strategic location, business-friendly environment, skilled workforce, and culture of innovation, the state offers a compelling value proposition for companies looking to establish or expand their presence. Recent investments from industry leaders like AFG, Chick-fil-A Supply, and Principe Foods serve as a testament to Missouri’s growing prominence as a hub of opportunity and innovation in the food and beverage industry.
Visit www.missourionestart.com for more information.
