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Tyson Foods Is Closing Hillshire Brands Factory in 2026 (Are More To Come?)

The shutdown is causing questions about future factory cuts.

By Amanda Machado , Edited by Calista Headrick

Updated May 15, 2026

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Recent news reveals that Tyson Foods is shutting down a Hillshire Brands plant this year, and the decision has people wondering where the economy is headed. As more companies look for ways to withstand economic downturns, even large, well-known brands are making hard decisions like this.

Closures impact workers, first and foremost, but they also have ripple effects beyond their immediate communities. And right now, with so much economic uncertainty, moves like this are especially important to watch. Could this be a sign of more closures to come? Here's what to know.

The latest closures

Tyson is one of the biggest food companies in the U.S., known mostly for its beef, chicken, and pork products. However, the meatpacker's latest closure impacts a facility that manufactures snacks under a contract with General Mills.

In March of 2026, Tyson stated that it will close a Hillshire Farms brand factory in Rome, Georgia, which currently makes Nature Valley Granola Bars. Operations will cease as of May 31 due to viability issues.

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Have other Tyson factories closed?

The Rome, Georgia factory isn't the first one that Tyson has closed in 2026. In fact, the company shuttered its biggest beef processing plant, located in Lexington, Nebraska, in January. The reason cited for the closure was the rising cost of beef.

Tyson has previously closed other factories: in Perry, Iowa and Emporia, Kansas in 2024, and two in Philadelphia in 2025. They cut shifts in Amarillo, Texas in early 2026, though the factory remains open at partial capacity.

How this impacts workers

Approximately 168 workers who were employed at the Tyson's Rome, Georgia facility will be laid off when the factory ceases operations. 3,200 people worked at the Lexington, Nebraska plant when it closed its doors earlier this year.

This is in addition to the 1,300 Tyson employees who were laid off when the facility in Perry, Iowa shuttered in 2024. Additionally, 800 were cut in Kansas, 110 in Philadelphia, and nearly 2,000 in Amarillo, Texas.

Tyson says it's working to reemploy workers at other plants and provide other support to those enduring staffing cuts. Workers say the job losses have been devastating to their livelihoods and communities.

How is Tyson doing financially?

While plant closures may sound dramatic, there are other markers that indicate Tyson is in solid financial shape. Sales of its prepared foods are up 8% for the first quarter of 2026, and operating income is up by $16 million.

However, major meatpackers, including Tyson, are under investigation for antitrust activities by the Department of Justice. The company has paid millions for price fixing in the past. It's also lost hundreds of millions due to beef supply issues, even as sales remain robust.

Will more facilities be affected?

There are no reports currently that suggest Tyson will close additional facilities across its many brands. However, more closures are always possible given the skyrocketing cost of beef and high consumer prices.

What the company has to say

While the cuts to Tyson's workforce and operations have been significant, the company hopes that its actions taken thus far will be enough to weather beef shortages through 2027.

"Supporting our people is our top priority, and we are encouraging impacted team members to apply for other roles within the company, while working with state and local partners to provide support during this transition," Tyson said in a statement.

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Are other companies closing locations?

Tyson is not the only meatpacking giant that has closed locations in recent years. JBS shuttered a factory in Riverside, California in February, eliminating 374 jobs. Additionally, Cargill Meat Solutions is in the process of closing a facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shedding 221 jobs.

All of these companies are included in the investigation into antitrust violations being conducted by the Department of Justice.

What this means for customers

For now, Tyson's lineup of brands isn't changing much as far as customer-facing issues go. The company is instead working to cut expenses by improving its supply chain.

That said, if beef prices keep climbing and shoppers pull back, lower-performing products may be the first to get trimmed.

Bottom line

Tyson's decision to close factories shows how even major food companies are dealing with economic pressure. While one factory closure might not seem like a major indicator, it can foretell future efforts to streamline operations, often with human consequences.

As companies look for ways to tackle high grocery costs, Tyson might make more changes to its operations. Hopefully, more workers won't be negatively impacted, and the overall economy holds onto its health.

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