Walmart has announced it is building its first-ever fully owned and operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe, Kansas. The retailer will invest $257 million in the plant, which will process Angus cuts, supplied by Sustainable Beef LLC, into case-ready beef products such as steaks and roasts to be sold in Walmart stores across the Midwest. Set to break ground later this year, the facility will create 667 new permanent jobs once it opens in 2025.  

“Technological advances in the food supply chain continue to reshape the industry. Walmart’s innovative new facility further solidifies Kansas’ position as one of the nation’s top food and agriculture states,” said Gov. Laura Kelly.

The opening of the 330,000-square-foot facility will further Walmart’s efforts in creating an end-to-end supply chain for high-quality Angus beef while increasing transparency and capacity in its supply chain to deliver high-quality products for its customers in the Midwest.

Walmart first announced its ambitions to create an end-to-end supply chain for Angus beef in 2019 and has made numerous strides since then, with the opening of a case-ready beef facility in 2020 and its equity investment and long-term commercial agreement in Sustainable Beef LLC last year.

Walmart customers’ shopping habits have evolved over recent years, and more customers are seeking greater transparency in the supply chain and high-quality offerings available at affordable prices. This case-ready facility will increase needed capacity in the beef industry and allow Walmart to keep up with customer demand. 

“At Walmart, enhancing quality is integral to how we innovate,” said Walmart Senior Vice President of Deli, Meat, and Seafood David Baskin. “Once opened, our case-ready beef facility in Olathe will mark an important next step in our journey to create an end-to-end Angus beef supply chain, ensuring our customers have access to the high-quality meats they expect at the everyday low prices they rely on.”