Cole's Quality Foods closing Muskegon plant, 175 workers laid off

Cole’s Quality Foods, a frozen bread manufacturer founded in Muskegon in 1943 and known for inventing the first commercially available frozen garlic bread, is closing its Muskegon production plant effective November 9, 2025. The closure was announced suddenly to employees on September 10 and will affect approximately 171 to 175 workers, most of whom are union members, with affected employees receiving 60 days' pay as mandated by the federal WARN Act. The shutdown follows Cole’s acquisition last December by Canadian-based Furlani Foods, which also operates facilities in Ontario and Wisconsin, though it is unclear if other locations will be impacted. Local officials and experts warn that the plant’s closure will have a significant economic impact on the Muskegon community, reducing workers’ spending power and affecting local businesses. The City of Muskegon is working to provide resources and support to displaced workers and plans to engage with Furlani Foods leadership regarding the future of the facility. The closure reflects a broader regional trend of local businesses being acquired by outside firms, with hopes that young entrepreneurs will eventually revive the local economy.