A GLOBAL FOOD MANUFACTURING HUB
The Upstate region is home to some of the most prominent food manufacturing companies in South Carolina and the world, including industry leaders like Nestlé, Keurig Dr. Pepper and Nissin Foods.
This 10-county region offers a low risk, business-friendly and competitive cost environment, complemented by specialized food manufacturing talent and education programs.
An Ideal Location for Growth
Upstate South Carolina connects two of the largest cities in the Southeastern United States: Charlotte and Atlanta.
In a world where speed to market is essential, food and beverage companies in Upstate South Carolina can reach more than 102 million Americans in a day’s drive. With comprehensive infrastructure that connects you by interstate, air, rail, and deep water, you can move product anywhere it needs to go — quickly.
With more than 22,600 farms in South Carolina, and abundant water and sewer availability, manufacturing companies in Upstate South Carolina lean on the strong agricultural ecosystem and reliable infrastructure to support varied production needs.
Specialized Training, Resources and Support
Food manufacturing companies in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and across the region benefit greatly from an abundance of nearby resources and education programs.
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
A leader in food and beverage education, offering specialized programs that equip industry professionals with the skills and knowledge to help companies pioneer the future of food manufacturing. Programs include:
PACKAGING SCIENCES & FOOD TECHNOLOGY
Clemson is one of just a few schools in the U.S. that offers a degree in packaging science. Bolstered by industry partnerships and advanced labs, areas of study include:
- Distribution, transportation and engineering technology
- Food and health care packaging
- Package design and graphics
- Materials
FOOD SYSTEMS AND SAFETY PROGRAM
Clemson Extension’s technical training and support for local food industry includes:
- FDA required courses
- Product Development and Package Evaluation
- Product Shelf Life Studies
- Sensory Evaluation
- Package Distribution
- Green Solutions for Food and Packaging Waste
SC DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SCDA promotes and advocates for the growth of existing and new agribusiness opportunities throughout the state. Agribusiness accounts for 11% of the state’s total economic output, with its top commodities including broilers, turkeys, corn, cattle, soybeans, peanuts, eggs and wheat.
Top Beverage & Food Manufacturers in Upstate SC
With a thriving ecosystem of food and beverage manufacturers in Greenville and across the region, the Upstate continues to attract and support top industry leaders from around the world. Some of the largest industry players include:
KEURIG DR PEPPER
A leader in specialty coffee and innovative single-serve brewing systems, Keurig’s products are utilized in 25 million homes throughout North America. Their state-of-the-art operations facility in Spartanburg County primarily houses coffee roasting and packaging for its single-serve K-Cup pods, with more than $621 million in capital investment, 239 jobs created and plans for continued growth in the Upstate.
NESTLÉ
Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company. They have more than 2,000 brands ranging from global icons to local favorites and are present in 189 countries around the world. Their Cherokee County operations employ 1,000 to produce Stouffer’s brand frozen entrees and continues investing in expansion, with a $150 investment in 2024.
E.A. SWEEN
E.A. Sween, a leader in the ready-to-eat sandwich industry who sells more than 100 million sandwiches annually, launched operations in Greenwood. The company invested $38 million and will create 300 new jobs, calling on support resources such as readySC to hire and train its production workforce. The company plans to produce an additional 75 million sandwiches per year at its Upstate SC facility.
NISSIN FOODS
Nissin Foods, a Japanese company renowned for its instant ramen products, is expanding its U.S. operations by establishing a manufacturing facility in Greenville County, South Carolina. This $228 million investment is expected to create over 300 jobs and help the international food manufacturer enhance continued development while meeting consumer demand for its Cup Noodles, Top Ramen and Cup Noodles Stir Fry products.
MILO’s
Milo’s Tea Company, a family-owned beverage producer headquartered in Alabama, expanded to Spartanburg in 2023 with a $53 million investment, creating 80 new jobs and announced an additional investment of $53 million and 80 new jobs to install an additional production line. The beverage manufacturer crafts high-quality, freshly brewed tea and closest-to-homemade lemonade and began operating its production facility in 2024.
DUKE’S MAYONNAISE
Created in Greenville in 1917, Duke’s Mayonnaise is a staple in Southern cuisine, with its roots deeply embedded in Upstate South Carolina. Duke’s parent company Sauer Brands operates a manufacturing plant in Mauldin that employs hundreds and distributes its iconic product nationwide.