Stellar Snacks Announces Second Production Facility

CARSON CITY, Nev.— A mother/daughter-owned company is opening its second state-of-the-art pretzel production plant to respond to demand and put a new twist on the snack business. The news comes as pretzels are the fastest growing segment of the salty snack industry for the first time in recent history.

Nevada-based Stellar Snacks announced last week its plans to expand production with a $137 million investment over 10 years and a 434,000-square-foot pretzel bakery facility in Louisville, Kentucky. Elisabeth and Gina Galvin founded Stellar Snacks in 2019 under a “Pretzels with a Purpose” platform, producing non-GMO, vegan pretzels with sustainably sourced wholesome ingredients and a variety of gourmet flavors.

Sales of Stellar Pretzel Braids are up 162 percent in the last 52 weeks, making it one of the fastest growing natural pretzel brands in the country. Stellar’s growth compliments the overall pretzel category becoming the fastest growing of the salty snack industry, versus long-time giants like chips, popcorn and puffed snacks, which is a big change for the grocery aisle. In all, the pretzel segment is up 33 percent in sales over the past two years, creating a nearly $2 billion industry, ready for innovation from manufacturing leaders like Stellar Snacks.

“We are humbled and honored that our business has seen astounding growth after launching our brand just a few short years ago, thanks to our people and passion for a higher quality pretzel,” said Elisabeth Galvin, founder of Stellar Snacks. “Since then, we have been on a mission to expand production coast to coast, and we are so pleased to have selected Louisville as our home in the Mid-South. The outcome will be an important success story for our whole team and the people of Kentucky. We can’t emphasize enough that our goal is to provide career opportunities and positive impact in Louisville, especially in the Park Hill community so we can flourish together in the years to come.”

Stellar Snacks’ new facility will create 350 full-time jobs over the next 10 years at 1391 Dixie Highway, marking a historic economic-development announcement in Louisville’s western neighborhoods. The company announced the news at a ceremony with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg and other community leaders and residents.

The new facility will establish Stellar Snacks’ largest pretzel bakery, and Louisville’s central location will enhance the company’s ability to reach the eastern and southern parts of the United States. Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2024 with baking of the initial products at the location set to begin in fall 2024. Stellar Snacks currently operates two plants in northern Nevada, where it employs more than 170 people, where it will offer early on-the-job training to its first key Kentucky facility hires.

In addition to baking outstanding pretzels, Stellar Snacks is dedicated to community involvement, environmental stewardship, social responsibility and advocacy, including support of emerging artists from both around the globe and on the local level. Initiatives include sponsorship and support of arts and culture events that empower women, social good, music, fashion and creativity. Past partnerships range from Women in Tech to Female DJs to Women in Professional Sports, as well as educational programs, local art shows, music festivals and more.

“We believe every pretzel has a purpose,” said Gina Galvin, co-founder of Stellar Snacks and Elisabeth Galvin’s daughter. “That’s why we commission emerging artists to design one-of-a-kind artwork for our packaging and engage with the arts community to inspire creativity in the world around us, and find ways to truly engage in the communities where we operate.”

Jobs created at the Louisville operation will consist of pretzel makers – including a master pretzel maker and apprentice roles – production team members, engineering and maintenance managers, mechanics, technicians, receptionists and HR assistants. Company leaders will partner with local community colleges and trade schools to provide real-world work experience and positions for students pursuing careers in industrial, electrical and robotic engineering.

About Stellar Snacks

Stellar Snacks crafts pretzels with purpose, using hand-picked seasonings and sustainably harvested flour. Tiny masterpieces of flavor, these healthy gourmet pretzels are both non-GMO and vegan to provide a Stellar snacking experience. Stellar Snacks distributes products to more than 5,000 grocery and retail stores nationwide with products also sold online and offered during in-flight snack service on Alaska Airlines, JetBlue and American Airlines, as well as Amtrak. Stellar products include pretzel braids in four gourmet flavors – Simply Stellar, Maui Monk, Bold & Herby and Sweet & Sparky – with new flavors and product innovation coming in early 2024.

For More Information:
https://stellarsnacks.com/pages/louisville