Workers at manufacturing facilities in Salt Lake City and Shakopee, Minnesota, are facing uncertainty after Maker’s Pride announced on March 12, 2026, that it will cease operations at both sites. The closures are slated for completion by the third quarter of 2026 as part of a broader strategy to modernize the company’s manufacturing network and increase investments in advanced automation.
In a statement, CEO Darlene Nicosia emphasized that this decision “was not made lightly.” She highlighted that the company intends to focus on long-term growth through this restructuring. The announcement included a commitment to provide transition resources for affected employees, although local officials had not yet made public comments regarding the implications for the workforce in either metropolitan area at the time.
Company’s Commitment to Transition Resources
According to a company release reported by Business Wire, the Salt Lake City facility is registered with federal food safety records maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Shakopee operation is listed among manufacturers eligible for federal food programs and certification registries, as per the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
Maker’s Pride, which emerged from the Chapter 11 restructuring of Hearthside, rebranded itself in 2025 to signify a financial reset aimed at reducing debt and enhancing operational focus. This restructuring period has previously seen other plant closures, including the shutdown of a facility in Anaheim, also reported by Food Business News.
Next Steps for Workers and Local Agencies
In the upcoming months, workers, suppliers, and local workforce agencies will be closely monitoring the situation for detailed timelines regarding the closures. They will also be looking for any Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filings to understand the potential job losses and opportunities for reassignment or severance. Maker’s Pride has previously filed WARN notices in other states during its restructuring efforts, including a filing made in Idaho in January 2026.
While the company has reiterated its intention to support affected employees, it has not disclosed the total number of jobs at risk in Salt Lake City or Shakopee. As this situation unfolds, the focus will remain on the human impact of these closures and the resources available to those affected.
