Frito-Lay Plans Major Upgrade of Connecticut Plant

PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division has announced a $235 million project at its Killingly, Conn. site. The project will include the expansion of the existing manufacturing facility and warehouse, as well as the addition of two new Cheetos manufacturing lines.

The building expansion is set to begin in spring 2022 and is expected to be complete in the second quarter of 2024. The project will require local zoning approval.

The Frito-Lay’s Killingly site began operations in 1980 with 200 employees and currently has approximately 740 full-time employees. The expansion will create 120 new jobs.

Connecticut Innovations, the state’s strategic venture capital arm, is supporting the project by providing up to $5.5 million in sales and use tax exemptions on capital equipment and construction materials.

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 “We have been a proud member of the Killingly community for more than 40 years and look forward to expanding our footprint and bringing more jobs,” Laura Maxwell, senior vice president of supply chain, PepsiCo Foods North America, says. “It’s only with the support of the teams at the local and state level that this project has been able to come to fruition. They are helping enable growth in this community which ultimately supports Frito-Lay’s goals, as well.”

“We are very excited to celebrate Frito-Lay’s continued success and expansion,” Killingly Town Manager Mary Calorio adds. “This is more than an investment in a building and equipment. This is an investment in people and their careers. We applaud Frito-Lay for its consistent dedication to the Killingly community and region.”

“This latest investment by Frito-Lay is a clear indication of its commitment to Connecticut and we are thrilled to be such an integral part of the company’s long-term growth plans,” Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman states. “The company’s decision to expand its facilities and workforce is great news for the state and region.”