Prepared meal delivery startup Freshly opened a distribution center in Austell, creating 250 new jobs, according to a Feb. 10 announcement.
The 134,000-square-foot facility, located about 15 miles west from Atlanta, is the New York-based startup's largest distribution center and fifth facility to date.
The center is expected to increase distribution capacity by 40% and marks a Southeast expansion. Right now, Freshly distributes about 1 million meals per week, according to the announcement. Freshly meals advertise as less processed and more nutritious than other ready-made meals.
Nestlé USA acquired Freshly in October, bringing the company’s value up to $950 million, according to a press release. In 2020, Freshly also expanded West Coast operations and launched FreshlyFit, a healthy choice meal option. Freshly also has distribution centers in California, New Jersey, Maryland and Arizona.
“We are thrilled to continue in 2021 by expanding operations in the Southeast and have plans to add even more facilities this year that will help further our mission of delivering nutritious and convenient meals,” Freshly CEO Mike Wystrach said in the announcement.
About 150 new hires in operations, support staff, warehousing and maintenance accompanied the Austell center’s initial launch. About 100 more will be hired by the end of the year, according to the announcement.
“Americans have changed the way they purchase their food, and our state’s logistics network has helped make it seamless for companies to adapt and ramp up their services to meet customers’ evolving needs,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commission Pat Wilson in the announcement.
The announcement comes after HelloFresh, a meal kit delivery startup, opened its first Southeast distribution center in Newnan about six months ago.
