Pilgrim’s, one of the world’s leading food companies, is investing $400 million to build a multi-phase prepared foods facility in Walker County. Governor Brian Kemp announced that the new plant will be located at the Walker County Business Park in LaFayette, and will create more than 630 new jobs once fully operational.
“Georgia’s No. 1 industry of agriculture continues to drive growth with companies like Pilgrim’s creating quality jobs in communities like LaFayette. As our state’s economy continues to advance, we are excited to see these continued innovations and the opportunities they will bring for hardworking Georgians.”
— Governor Brian Kemp
The state-of-the-art facility will focus on producing a variety of fully cooked chicken products, including family favorites like chicken nuggets, popcorn chicken, and lightly breaded strips. These will be sold under trusted brand names like Just Bare®, Pilgrim’s®, and Gold Kist®.
“Expanding the Pilgrim’s footprint in Georgia highlights our ongoing commitment to the region and our company’s long-term growth strategy,” said Pilgrim’s CEO Fabio Sandri. “This significant investment will allow further growth of our prepared foods business by supporting increasing demand in both retail and foodservice channels. We are also proud of our role in creating jobs and being a strong community partner.”
Construction is set to begin in Fall 2025, with hiring expected to begin in 2027.
This project marks a major milestone for LaFayette and Walker County, reinforcing the region’s growing importance in Georgia’s agricultural and manufacturing economy.