Chomps Pushes Production Partnerships With New Investment

Meat stick brand Chomps is preparing for continued growth with a new investment partnership that will build more capacity.

The Naples, Fla.-based business announced it was partnering with Landmark Snacks to build a new production facility in Nebraska that will boost capacity by 15%, or 150 million meat sticks annually. Chomps would not discuss details of the investment.

“With increased production bandwidth, we will also be able to accelerate our innovation pipeline, pursue strategic expansion into new channels, and better support both our retail partners and D2C customers by improving service levels and in-stock rates,” said Jason Dols, Chomps SVP of Operations.

The 160,000 sq. ft. production center in Beatrice, Neb., is expected to open in the second quarter of 2027. The site was chosen to “enhance distribution efficiency” and supplement the labor force employed by Landmark Snacks at an adjacent facility. Landmark will own and operate the meat snack factory exclusively for Chomps.

“We are excited to break ground on a facility that will be custom-built to Chomps’ rigorous specifications and to create significant new job opportunities in Beatrice,” said Landmark Snacks owner Chad Lottman.

Founded in 2015, Landmark Snacks began comanufacturing for Chomps in March 2024. Landmark secured funding from First National Bank of Omaha and Heritage Bank to help finance the buildout.

Chomps has been working closely with Landmark on “the initial scoping and planning for the facility” and will continue “through construction, start-up, and ongoing operations,” Dols said. “We awarded Landmark the long-term contract based on our confidence in their strong execution in food safety, quality assurance, and service.”

The news comes less than two months after Chomps unveiled plans to partner with another co-manufacturing partner, Western Smokehouse Partners (WSP), on a 300,000 sq. ft. production facility in Mexico, Mo.

The need for future capacity is reflected in the numbers: The company reported 161% year-over-year sales growth. As a category, dried meat stick sales were up 13.1% in the 52-week period ending August 10, according to Circana MULO+C tracking.

Reflective of that demand, other fast-growing companies in the set have been investing in production as well.

Last month, Jack Link’s (the second largest meat stick maker in the U.S.) opened a 405,000 sq. ft. facility in Georgia. Archer, which trails Chomps in the premium set, opened a new stick factory in Vernon, Calif.