FOREST CITY, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Wow Bao, a fast-growing Asian street food company, will open its first company-operated manufacturing facility in Forest City, bringing 88 new jobs to Rutherford County, Gov. Josh Stein announced Monday.
The Chicago-based company plans to invest $6.45 million in the new facility, which will help expand its national production and meet rising demand for its signature items, including bao, potstickers and soup dumplings.
“North Carolina welcomes Wow Bao to our state, where businesses find a strong infrastructure and ready workforce,” Stein said in a statement. “Wow Bao’s decision to expand here strengthens our state’s vibrant food industry and brings new opportunities and jobs to Rutherford County.”
Founded in 2003, Wow Bao has grown from a single fast-casual restaurant into a national brand with a presence in restaurants, airports, delivery-only kitchens and grocery stores.
Company officials said the Forest City facility will allow Wow Bao to increase production capacity, modernize operations and expand its distribution network.
“Wow Bao is thrilled to bring our operations to Forest City,” Matt Fallon, the company’s chief financial officer, said in the news release. “With a world-class workforce and vibrant food and beverage industry, it became clear that Forest City and the state of North Carolina were the perfect home for this exciting phase of Wow Bao’s expansion.”
The facility’s jobs will include positions such as maintenance engineers, production supervisors and sanitation associates. The average annual salary will be $49,648, higher than Rutherford County’s average of $46,673. The total payroll impact is projected to exceed $4.3 million annually.
To support the project, the state awarded Wow Bao a performance-based grant of $180,000 from the One North Carolina Fund. The company must meet job creation and investment goals to qualify for the funds, and the grant requires local matching contributions.
“With the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast and the fourth-largest food and beverage industry in the country, North Carolina is the ideal place for companies like Wow Bao to thrive,” N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said in the news release.
State and local officials welcomed the announcement, calling it a win for the region’s economy.
“Congratulations to Wow Bao on choosing Rutherford County for its new manufacturing facility,” state Sen. Timothy D. Moffitt said in the release.
“This expansion is a tremendous win for Forest City, bringing more jobs and strengthening our position as a leader in food production,” Rep. Jake Johnson said in the release.
Key partners in the project include the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the N.C. General Assembly, the Division of Workforce Solutions, the N.C. Community College System, Isothermal Community College, Rutherford County and the town of Forest City.