Pilgrim’s, a major chicken processor, announced plans to build a $400 million plant in northwest Georgia amid rising consumer demand for protein. The new facility in LaFayette will focus on producing fully cooked chicken products, expanding output for brands such as Just Bare, Pilgrim’s, and Gold Kist. The plant is expected to create up to 630 jobs once operating at full capacity, according to the Georgia governor’s office.
Construction is scheduled to start this fall, with the first phase expected to be completed by 2027. Pilgrim’s CEO Fabio Sandri emphasized the company’s commitment to growth in the region and the prepared foods market, citing increasing demand across retail and foodservice channels. Majority owned by Brazilian meat giant JBS, Pilgrim’s has recently seen record profit margins, reaching 14.8% in the first quarter. The company has been expanding its retail and foodservice presence, particularly through its Just Bare brand. Meanwhile, U.S. poultry consumption has surged, narrowing the gap with red meat consumption for the first time since 1960, as Americans are projected to consume a record 104.1 pounds of chicken next year.