JEFFERSON CITY, MO. — Conagra Brands Inc. plans to expand its manufacturing facility in Macon, Mo., to accommodate higher demand for frozen meals, according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED).

As part of the $29.1 million project, Chicago-based Conagra plans to add cooler and preparation space, increase production capacity and improve sustainability by replacing outdated equipment, including ovens and freezers, dewatering processing equipment and meat inspection processing equipment, the Missouri DED said.

Plans call for the deployment of new meat processing equipment to expand the variety of products made at the Macon facility, enabling Conagra to better meet consumer demand for items such as Healthy Choice and Marie Callender’s meals.

“We value our strong partnership with the city of Macon and look forward to expanding our operations,” said John Phipps, manager of Conagra’s Macon plant. “This expansion represents a meaningful investment in both our business and the local community, and we’re proud to continue building our presence here.”

Conagra’s investment will create 26 new jobs and maintain 340 existing positions, which the Missouri DED said will maintain the company’s status as Macon County’s largest employer.

“It’s great to see Conagra continuing to invest, expand and create jobs in Macon,” said Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, who noted the company’s more than 100-year presence in the area.

For the expansion, Conagra will utilize capital via withholdings or tax credits for job creation through the Missouri Works program, as well as to recruitment and training assistance from the Missouri DED’s Missouri One Start division, the department said.

“DED is proud to support Conagra as they continue helping Missourians prosper in Macon,” said Michelle Hataway, director of DED in Missouri. “With every step forward, they are creating new opportunities and shaping a stronger tomorrow.”

In early April, Conagra reported that its fiscal 2025 third-quarter frozen retail volume sales rose 1.3% year over year, based on Circana multi-outlet plus convenience retail channel data. Though supply constraints pared volume in frozen vegetables and frozen meals with chicken, the company said it grew unit share in categories such as frozen desserts, frozen single-serve meals, frozen breakfast, refrigerated whipped toppings and hot dogs.

Conagra noted that it had a 53% share of the single-serve frozen meals market at the end of the quarter, with volume up 0.6% year over year and up 2.2% on a two-year stack.

“Conagra’s frozen consumption remains strong,” said Sean Connolly, president and chief executive officer. “Our Q3 retail volume sales have grown for three consecutive quarters. Importantly, the frozen department continues to outpace the total edible category (excluding beverages), and Conagra is driving category growth.”

News of the Macon expansion comes less than two months after Conagra said it plans to shut its pie filling facility in Fennville, Mich., by the end of June, which will impact 85 employees.

Earlier this month, Conagra Brands announced plans to sell the Chef Boyardee business for $600 million to Hometown Food Co.

The transaction includes Chef Boyardee’s 820,000-square-foot production facility in Milton, Pa., and the plant’s 500 employees, plus all assets and operations related to the brand.