Pilgrim’s is set to make a major investment in its prepared foods division with a new $400 million production facility planned for LaFayette, Georgia. The project marks a strategic push to expand the company’s fully cooked chicken operations and will create over 630 new jobs once fully operational.
A Major Boost for Value-Added Poultry
The new plant will be dedicated to producing a wide range of fully cooked chicken products, including breaded strips, nuggets, and other ready-to-eat offerings under key Pilgrim’s brands such as Just Bare, Pilgrim’s, and Gold Kist. This move supports Pilgrim’s long-term strategy to increase its footprint in the value-added poultry space—serving both retail and foodservice channels with high-demand, ready-to-heat options.
Company leadership emphasized that this expansion is part of a larger initiative to align with changing consumer preferences for convenient, protein-rich meals, while also strengthening supply chain resilience and product availability nationwide.
Multi-Phase Project Set to Begin This Fall
Construction on the new facility will begin in Fall 2025 at the Walker County Business Park. The build-out will occur in phases, with production ramping up as infrastructure is completed. Hiring is expected to begin in 2027, with workforce development and training programs being planned well in advance to support local employment.
Economic Impact and Industry Momentum
Beyond job creation, the investment is expected to have a significant economic impact on the local and regional poultry sector—supporting growers, transporters, feed suppliers, and numerous related businesses.
Pilgrim’s currently operates multiple facilities across Georgia and employs thousands across its processing, hatchery, and feed operations. This latest expansion signals confidence in the future of poultry and reinforces Georgia’s role as a national leader in protein production.
What It Means for the Poultry Industry
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Shift Toward Prepared Foods: The investment reflects growing consumer demand for convenience in the protein aisle, putting more emphasis on fully cooked products.
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Industry Growth: With more than 630 jobs tied to this plant alone, the poultry sector continues to be a cornerstone of rural economic development.
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Infrastructure Commitment: Long-term facility development shows Pilgrim’s commitment to strategic growth and operational scale in key regions.
Stay tuned to PoultryProducer.com for ongoing updates as the project progresses and further hiring announcements are made.
