Governor Laura Kelly Announces New Pretzels, LLC Production Facility in Lawrence

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced a new Pretzels, LLC production facility in Lawrence. The company announced plans to build a 150,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Venture Park. The company worked closely with the Kansas Department of Commerce throughout the process.

“Food manufacturing has been growing at an incredible rate in Kansas, and we’re proud to add Pretzels, LLC to our roster,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This project will create good-paying jobs and generate a significant investment for Kansas. My administration is committed to rebuilding our state’s foundation by encouraging businesses like Pretzels LLC to choose Kansas.”

The 42-year old Indiana-based company sells pretzels under the Harvest Road brand. Its product lineup also includes corn snacks made with real cheese, corn puffs, crunchy cheese curls, and other snack items.

“This is the latest in a series of high-profile food company announcements in our state. It’s clear to see that Kansas is quickly becoming a major leader in the U.S. food manufacturing industry,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.

“We are very excited to expand our production footprint and to continue serving our customers with superior capabilities and geographic reach,” said Greg Pearson, chief executive officer of Pretzels, Inc. “This new facility exemplifies Pretzels’ commitment to support the growth of our diverse and expanding customer base with industry-leading quality and efficiency across a variety of traditional and innovative products. We look forward to becoming a member of the community in Lawrence and the broader Kansas City metro area as we expand our operations and employee base.”

“We are so thrilled to have a company like Pretzels, LLC creating primary jobs and making new capital investment in Lawrence,” said Steve Kelly, the Vice President of Economic Development for The Chamber of Lawrence. “The momentum in Lawrence VenturePark is growing. We’re excited to welcome Pretzels, LLC to our city, and we are ready to help with any needs they may have as they establish and grow their operation here. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with this great company.”

“The decision for Pretzels, Inc. to locate its production facility in Lawrence reinforces our region’s position as a top location for food and beverage manufacturing,” said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “More than 600 food and beverage companies call the region home, and our KC SmartPort team will continue to elevate KC’s proximity to agriculture markets, advanced logistics infrastructure, and industry-specific talent as strategic advantages.”