InnovAsian Foods is set to break ground Tuesday on a $150 million manufacturing plant in Jonesboro, creating over 200 jobs once fully operational. The facility, which will specialize in frozen Asian-style meals, will span 180,000 square feet and is slated for completion in early 2028.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the corner of C.W. Post Road and Quality Way within the Jonesboro Industrial Park. At full capacity, the plant is expected to employ about 200 workers, with 90 employees staffing the initial shift. Job applications are anticipated to open next spring.
Incoming Jonesboro General Manager Glenn Scott stated the company intends to source ingredients and workforce talent locally, prioritizing rice, poultry, and employees proficient in technology and mathematics.
InnovAsian President and CEO Joe Kent highlighted Jonesboro’s skilled workforce and state and local backing as key factors in selecting the city from a pool of potential sites across North America. "The community support and resources available here made Jonesboro the clear choice," Kent said.
The plant will be the company’s largest in North America. InnovAsian, a subsidiary of Japan’s Nichirei Foods, currently operates a smaller manufacturing facility in California. The company produces a variety of frozen Asian-style meals, including multi-serve entrees, single-serve products, appetizers, rice, and sides.
This expansion represents a significant investment in the Northeast Arkansas region, reflecting the broader appeal of the state’s central location and access to raw materials such as rice, an industry staple in Arkansas. The construction and subsequent operations are expected to make a notable economic impact on the area.