Food and Beverage Manufacturing

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1,275

Food and Beverage Manufacturers (NC Commerce, 2025)

Top 10

Largest Food and Beverage Industry in the US (Lightcast, 2025)

Largest Manufacturing Workforce in the Southeast (Lightcast, 2025)

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Food & Beverage
Manufacturing

The Future of Food and Beverage Innovation

With more than 1,275 food and beverage manufacturers, an industry-specific workforce of 72,000, and a strategic East Coast location, North Carolina offers the perfect blend of resources, talent, and innovation for the food and beverage manufacturing industry. Backed by a top-ranked business climate and a legacy of agricultural excellence, North Carolina provides the ideal environment for companies looking to scale operations, tap into cutting-edge research, and serve a growing global market.

Cold-Link Logistics Will Create 123 Jobs In Robeson County

Cold-Link Logistics, a cold storage management firm, will create 123 new jobs in Robeson County. The company will invest $85.5 million to build a cold storage warehouse in Lumberton.

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Snack Brand Wow Bao Selects Rutherford County for New Manufacturing Hub

Wow Bao, a fast-growing Asian street food company, will create 88 jobs in Rutherford County. The company will invest $6.45 million to establish its first company-operated manufacturing facility in Forest City.

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Morinaga to Expand Manufacturing Facility with $136 Million Investment

Morinaga America Foods, Inc., a leading international confectionary company headquartered in Japan, will invest $136 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Mebane, North Carolina, creating 204 new jobs in Orange County. The expansion will further Morinaga’s manufacturing capacity for HI-CHEW, a long-standing best-selling candy in Asia and the United States.

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Find the right ingredients to grow your company. North Carolina's central location, skilled workforce, pro-business environment, and existing industry strength make it a top destination for food manufacturing and processing companies.

72K+

Employees in the Food and Beverage Industry

25%

Industry job growth in the past 10 years

21/50

of Largest Food/Bev Companies operate in NC

33K+

Food Processing Workers

Every Step of the Food (and Beverage) Chain

North Carolina’s food and beverage industry is supported by the 2nd largest agricultural industry in the Southeast (Lightcast, 2025) and a growing hospitality sector. We have a concentrated workforce in food processing, confectionaries, and beverage bottling.

fish seafood factory industry production processing equipment

An Appetizing Cost of Business

North Carolina’s low 2.25% corporate tax rate will be 0% by 2030. Additionally, our personal income tax rate sits at an enticing 4.25%. Low property taxes and the nation’s 2nd-lowest unionization rate helps your company simply focus on growing profits.

Two farmers walking in soybean field in early summer with sunflowers beside

On the Cutting Edge of Research

NC State University’s Agricultural Institute offers courses on animal processing, livestock and poultry management, and horticulture science. Its Food Innovation Lab works with companies on product R&D, pilot production, and food industry consulting.

biology scientist working to research a growth plant in agriculture greenhouse, nature organic science technology or biotechnology in botany laboratory, people examining vegetable for food industry

Agriculture Industry Meets Agriculture Technology

North Carolina’s storied agriculture industry is evolving into a dynamic collection of agriculture technology startups. With support from leading research entities at NC State University and NC A&T, 195+ agtech companies have started here.

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Aerial view of farming tractor plowing and spraying on field.

Food and Beverage Companies in North Carolina

Find the right ingredients to grow your company. North Carolina's central location, skilled workforce, pro-business environment, and existing industry strength make it a top destination for food manufacturing and processing companies.

Believer Meats

Butterball

Coca-Cola Consolidated

Frito-Lay

Krispy Kreme

Mt. Olive Pickles

Morinaga

Nestle

Pepsi

Red Bull

Smithfield’s

Snyder’s Lance

Sierra Nevada Brewing

Tyson Foods

North Carolina represents an ideal geographical location for us – bringing us closer to our national customers and their delivery points.

Michael Iaslovits

President, Meel Corp

Frequently Asked Question

What is the size of the food and beverage workforce in North Carolina?

North Carolina has more than 72K employees working in the food and beverage industry, including 33K employees that are specifically trained in food processing.
What resources are available for food and beverage companies in North Carolina?
North Carolina has numerous programs and research centers that support food and beverage businesses, including:
- The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS)
- The NC Food Innovation Lab (NCFIL)
- North Carolina Biotechnology Center (NC Biotech)
- The Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC)
- North Carolina State University (NCSU) and North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T) NC Cooperative Extension
- The NC BioNetwork
- NCWorks
- NC A&T State University’s Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies (CEPHT)
How does North Carolina’s East Coast location benefit manufacturers?

North Carolina’s East Coast location gives manufacturers direct access to both domestic and global markets. The state offers proximity to major interstates, rail systems, and two deepwater ports, making it easy to move products efficiently across the globe. This strategic position reduces shipping costs, shortens delivery times, and strengthens supply chain reliability, making North Carolina an ideal location for manufacturers serving clients and suppliers worldwide.