CJ Schwan's Builds $550 Million Production Facility in Sioux Falls

A $550 million private investment will bring a nearly 400,000-square-foot production facility to Foundation Park in Sioux Falls, with an opening scheduled for 2027.

The massive operation belongs to CJ Schwan’s, a leading U.S.-based food company known for household brands like Red Baron pizza, Bibigo, and Edwards desserts. According to the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, the project ranks as one of the largest single private investments in South Dakota history.

Construction crews have already logged more than 600,000 hours of labor at the northwest Sioux Falls site. Workers are installing industrial freezers, fryers for egg rolls, and large steamers for dumplings as major production lines take shape.

Utility work will continue through the fall, with construction on the physical plant targeted for completion by the end of the year. Once fully operational, the facility will employ approximately 650 people in specialized roles covering production, engineering, maintenance, and automation.

The economic ripples of the development are already reaching local businesses well before the first products roll off the assembly lines. The project has generated roughly $90 million in contracts for South Dakota contractors and suppliers.

CJ Schwan's Builds $550 Million Production Facility in Sioux Falls

Beyond the manufacturing plant, CJ Schwan’s is expanding its presence in downtown Sioux Falls, where its local office now houses more than 20 employees. The company also signed on as the signature event season sponsor for downtown Sioux Falls through 2030.

Additional local support includes a $250,000 commitment to the upcoming five-year Forward Sioux Falls campaign, sponsorships for the Sanford International PGA Champions Tour, and full-ride scholarships for technical school students via the Build Dakota Scholarship Program.

As construction wraps up in the coming weeks, the focus will pivot entirely toward equipment commissioning, testing, and workforce recruitment. The company is actively partnering with area technical education programs to build a steady pipeline of skilled talent for its advanced manufacturing systems.