Located in Jefferson, the new brewing plant expands North American production capacity, fuels local job growth.
Published:
September 21, 2026 at 11:17 AM ET
Last week, soy sauce manufacturer Kikkoman Foods, Inc. (KFI) celebrated the official grand opening of its newest production facility in Jefferson, Wisconsin. The Jefferson plant is KFI’s third U.S. production facility and will expand Kikkoman’s ability to meet growing demand across retail, foodservice, and food manufacturing channels throughout North America. The facility will begin shipping a range of Kikkoman products, including soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and non-soy sauce-related seasonings in fall 2026.
The 240,000-square-foot building features a highly flexible manufacturing layout capable of handling multiple products, viscosities, and packaging formats including glass, BPA-free plastic, industrial, and bulk sizing. Located within Jefferson’s planned Food & Beverage Innovation Campus, the facility also incorporates advanced digital manufacturing tools that enable paperless operations, real-time data visualization, and enhanced traceability. These measures support KFI’s commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 50%, reduce water consumption per unit by more than 30%, and achieve a 100% recycling rate by 2030 as part of the company’s long term environmental strategy. KFI also has manufacturing plants in Walworth, Wisconsin and Folsom, California.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers attended KFI’s ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Community Boarder Chair Steve Nass, Jefferson Mayor Dale Oppermann, WEDC CEO John Miller and COO Sam Rikkers, and additional state and local officials. (Photo: Kikkoman Foods, Inc.)
The Jefferson facility represents an investment of approximately $560 million over 10 years. With the addition of the new manufacturing plant and in conjuncture with its Walworth facilities, KFI brings more than 80 high-paying jobs in southeastern Wisconsin. In support of the project, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) has committed up to $15.5 million in performance-based tax credits to fuel job creation and capital investment benchmarks. KFI is also working with regional workforce development and technical education partners to support hiring and training for advanced food manufacturing careers.
“For over 350 years, we have earned the trust and loyalty of consumers through our sauces and seasonings, fueling our growth in North America,” said Yuzaburo Mogi, Director Chairman of the Board and Honorary CEO, KFI. “Our partnership with Wisconsin has long been central to our success, and Jefferson is the natural next chapter. This facility gives us proximity to key agricultural suppliers, access to high-quality water our brewing process demands, and a workforce rooted in the same values that have guided Kikkoman for generations. As global culinary influences continue to shape what people want on their tables, this facility also strengthens our ability to meet that evolving demand by bringing the depth and authenticity of international flavors to more people, faster.”
KFI’s investment in Jefferson builds on the company’s longstanding commitment to community impact and responsible corporate citizenship. KFI has contributed more than $17 million in charitable donations to educational platforms, civic organizations, community charities, disaster relief efforts and environmental protection organizations in Jefferson and beyond, including a new $250K to Jefferson County for native prairie restoration in honor of the grand opening.
“Kikkoman has been a valued partner in Wisconsin for more than fifty years,” said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. “This new facility in Jefferson is a testament to the strength of that relationship and speaks to what makes Wisconsin a destination for world-class manufacturers — a skilled and dedicated workforce, a thriving agricultural economy, and a business climate built for long-term growth. We are proud to welcome this next chapter of Kikkoman’s presence in our state and look forward to the opportunities it will create for Jefferson and the entire region.”
Kikkoman’s soy sauce business in North America has continued to grow at an average annual rate of more than 6% over the past decade. In the U.S., the company has held the leading share of the soy sauce market for more than a decade, and the Jefferson facility supports KFI’s broader strategy to expand production capacity and sustain that growth.
To celebrate the grand opening, KFI hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, cultural performances including traditional taiko drumming, a performance by the Jefferson High School Show Choir, and a live shodo calligraphy demonstration honoring Japanese heritage and cultural exchange.
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