$650M in recent investments and nearly 1,000 new jobs help position city as top location for industry growth
Warner Robins, Georgia - Warner Robins has been named the #1 metropolitan area in the United States for food manufacturing, according to the newly released 2025 Best Places for Food Manufacturing Insights Report from Global Location Strategies (GLS), a leading site selection and location advisory firm.
Out of 387 metro areas evaluated nationwide, Warner Robins rose to the top due to strong labor force growth, competitive operating costs, and a proven track record of attracting high-impact industry investments. The city climbed 11 spots from last year’s report and now leads a list of top-performing regions across the country.
“Being recognized as the nation’s top metro for food manufacturing speaks volumes about Warner Robins’ economic climate, strategic location, and skilled workforce,” said Mayor LaRhonda W. Patrick. “This ranking validates the hard work of our local leaders, economic development partners, and employers who are investing in the future of our community.”
Frito-Lay and Jack Link’s Projects Drive Job Growth
The city’s success is fueled in part by two major projects. Frito-Lay’s manufacturing expansion and Jack Link’s Beef Jerky facility. Together, these investments total more than $650 million and have created nearly 1,000 new jobs in the region, helping to boost year-over-year food manufacturing employment by 8.7%.
National Trends with Local Impact
According to the report, the U.S. food manufacturing industry attracted $15.3 billion in capital investment and generated 23,000 new jobs between 2023 and 2024. While nationwide challenges like tariffs, labor shortages, and regulatory changes loom large, Warner Robins continues to prove itself as a stable and strategic choice for manufacturers looking to expand or relocate.
Warner Robins benefits from proximity to I-75, a growing industrial base, a business-friendly regulatory environment, and robust utility infrastructure—all factors that GLS identified as key cost drivers in food manufacturing site selection.
State and Regional Momentum
Warner Robins isn’t the only Georgia city making headlines. Savannah ranked #2 on GLS’s metro rankings, making Georgia the only state with two cities in the top five nationally. The South Atlantic region, which includes Georgia, was also recognized as the top region for foreign direct investment in food manufacturing—especially from Asia-Pacific and European markets.
“This is a win not only for Warner Robins but for our region and the entire state,” said Kate Hogan, Warner Robins Community and Economic Development Director. “We’re proud to be a part of Georgia’s thriving food manufacturing ecosystem and look forward to continuing to grow our role as a national leader in the industry.”
About the Report
The Best Places for Food Manufacturing report ranks U.S. metros based on over 100 quality and cost factors, including workforce availability, infrastructure, access to raw materials, utility costs, and tax rates. Labor accounts for 57% of location-dependent costs for manufacturers, followed by utilities (19%), lease (13%), and taxes (11%). The full report is available online at globallocationstrategies.com/reports.