300,000 hours of work completed on Sioux Falls project

We recently paused construction at our new production facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for a well-earned celebration honoring the crews who continue to bring this important project to life.

Construction and engineering teams working on our Asian-food facility recently surpassed 300,000 total work hours on the site, an incredible milestone.

On any given day, approximately 350 people are working onsite to build the future of our operations in South Dakota.

A Well-Deserved Thank You

To recognize the achievement, the teams gathered for a BBQ lunch hosted at the site. The meal featured brisket, pulled pork and chicken, all prepared by our engineering partner, Burns & McDonnell. The Kansas City–based firm brought their own large smoking unit, an impressive trailer-sized smoker, to cook on-site for the crews. 

Building the Future in Sioux Falls

Construction on the new production facility began with a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 4, 2024, and the project remains on track for an expected opening in 2027.

Once operational, the facility will produce egg rolls and steamed dumplings, support retail brands like bibigo® and Pagoda®, and deliver innovative solutions for our foodservice customers. The plant is expected to employ approximately 650 people, creating meaningful jobs and long-term economic impact in the region.

Moments in the Making: Building our future in Sioux Falls

Our team made a special trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota this week to host an open house and reveal the sign for our new downtown office.

The new office will house approximately 50 of our team members who are directly supporting the construction of the company’s new Asian-style food production facility at Foundation Park. The 12,000-square-foot office offers team members a modern work area, complete with collaborative works spaces, conference rooms and a commercial kitchen capable of hosting sampling events with customers. 

“Today represents more than the opening of a new office — it’s a bold step into the future and a meaningful investment in the Sioux Falls community,” said Brian Schiegg, our CEO. “Our team here is focused on launching a state-of-the-art food production facility that will accelerate the growth of our bibigo and Pagoda brands and deliver solutions to our foodservice customers.” 

During the event, the company also announced its membership with the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and its commitment of $250,000 to Forward Sioux Falls, a joint venture between the Chamber and the Sioux Falls Development Foundation that serves as the programmatic conduit for multiple economic and workforce development initiatives in support of regional economic development.

In November, CJ Schwan’s broke ground on its 142-acre site at Foundation Park, where a new production facility is currently under construction. After about 55,000 hours of work, construction crews have completed the placement of most of the facility’s walls and are working to enclose the production space by the end of the year. So far, nearly $75 million in projects have been awarded to local contractors. 

Scheduled to open in 2027, the plant will produce dumplings and egg rolls. The new facility will include two state-of-the-art food production lines and room for expansion. The facility will also feature a wastewater treatment plant, warehouse and distribution center, shipping and receiving docks, and additional office space.