The Daily Dig:
InnovAsian Cuisine Enterprises, a subsidiary of Japan based Nichirei Foods, announced February 3rd it will build a 175,000 square foot frozen food manufacturing facility in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Nichirei is committing approximately $105 million in 2026 to get the project started. The plant will be located inside the 2,100 acre Craighead Technology Park.
The facility is expected to create roughly 200 new jobs. Once operational, it will expand production capacity for InnovAsian's multi-serve entrƩe line serving the U.S. market. Arkansas landed the project after a competitive multi state search.
Project Snapshot:
Owner / Developer: InnovAsian Cuisine Enterprises Inc.
Parent Company: Nichirei Foods Inc.
Sector: Frozen food manufacturing
Capital Contribution: Approximately $105 million in 2026
Location: Craighead Technology Park, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Scope: 175,000 SF facility
Jobs: Approximately 200
TheJobWalk Thoughts:
A $105 million food manufacturing plant is not a simple tilt-wall box. Food grade facilities carry real complexity- refrigeration systems, process piping, sanitary finishes, floor drains, and trade sequencing that punishes poor coordination. MEP scope on a build like this is heavy, and the handoffs between refrigeration contractors, process piping subs, and the GC are where schedules live or die. No contractor team has been announced, which means procurement is still open. For GCs, specialty subs, and suppliers who want a real shot at this work, the time to be making calls is now, not when the ITB lands in your inbox.
