Food Processing

New and existing companies find Georgia a great place to do business

One of the best measures of an industry’s success in a region is that region’s ability to attract and retain businesses belonging to that industry. Between 2018 and 2022, more than 35 food processing businesses either expanded or moved new operations to Georgia, creating 7,260 new jobs.

Meat Snack Manufacturer Locates in Perry

“We are grateful for the opportunity to invest in Perry for the long term and are committed to becoming a strong community advocate.”

Troy Link, CEO, Jack Link's

Source: “Jack Link’s to Create 800 Jobs with Georgia Manufacturing Facility in Houston County,” Georgia Department of Economic Development, 4.26.2022

Hometown Bakery Thrives in Georgia

“Our first headquarters and bakery opened in Atlanta over 35 years ago. As our business has grown, we chose to relocate and expand to Gwinnett County, so we could meet the needs of our customers by providing unique artisan-style breads.”

Cheryl Barre, CEO, Epi Breads

Source: “Custom Bakery Bringing 300 Jobs to Gwinnett,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 5.13.2021

Georgia's Food Processors and Distributors

The map to the right includes food processing operations and food distribution locations with 50 or more employees.

Georgia's food processing ecosystem is well established, with a thriving agricultural industry, diverse blend of manufacturers who take advantage of abundant, local raw materials, a strong system of distributors, and a transportation infrastructure second to none.

Georgia’s competitive business climate is ideal for manufacturers.

Competitive wage rates, an abundance of skilled workers and a business-friendly environment make Georgia an ideal place for manufacturing. Georgia’s wages for manufacturing occupations related to food processing are typically lower than those of the U.S. overall. Georgia is highly competitive within the Southeast as well, with an advantage over surrounding states based on the concentration of food processing workers and low wages. Additionally, Georgia’s employment-at-will, right-to-work status, and low unionization rates help the state’s food processing operations remain at the forefront of increasingly global markets.

• A unionization rate of 5.8% compared to 11.6% nationally (% covered employees)
• The largest number of food and beverage processing jobs in the Southeast (73k industry workers)
• A low state corporate tax rate of 5.75%

Talent Critical to Food Processing

Based on staffing patterns for food and beverage processing industries, Georgia has an abundance of workers employed in critical occupations. The graphs to the right illustrate the character of Georgia's food and beverage processing talent. Major occupations include:

• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
• First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
• Helpers--Production Workers
• Slaughterers and Meat Packers
• Bakers
• Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders