Snack maker Frito-Lay, a division of PepsiCo, said Friday it will invest another $100 million at its plant and warehouses in Pulaski, Tennessee, and add 100 more jobs over the next three years.
The project will add four new manufacturing lines to support future growth and make products for the PopCorners brand, which PepsiCo acquired nearly a year go from BFY Brands and includes the popular popcorn crisps, Flourish Veggie Crisps and Flex Protein Crisps. PepsiCo said its acquisition of PopCorners was part of its “Winning with Purpose” initiative to offer consumers more healthy snacks.
As consumers turn away from sugary sodas such as Pepsi, snacking is where PepsiCo has found most of its growth.
PopCorners is the fastest-growing healthier salty snack brand in the U.S., according to Permira, the private equity group that formed BFY Brands from a pair of acquisitions in 2015.
“For more than 40 years, the Frito-Lay Pulaski site has been a proud member of the Giles County community, employing more than 450 dedicated associates, and is a key contributor to the Tennessee economy,” said Kathy Alfano, senior director of economic development for PepsiCo.
Frito-Lay employs 50,000 workers across the U.S, including 2,100 in Tennessee. The company has operated in Pulaski for more than 40 years and is the only Frito-Lay producer of Grandma’s Cookies.
“There are more than 1,600 registered food and beverage manufacturers operating in the state, and Frito-Lay is one of those successful companies,” said Bob Rolfe, commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
– Compiled by Dave Flessner