Walmart Opens First Case-Ready Beef Facility Creating 600 Jobs Midwest

Walmart has opened its first-ever owned and operated case-ready beef facility in Olathe, Kansas, a 300,000-square-foot plant designed to process, package, and distribute Angus beef directly to roughly 600 Walmart stores across 14 states. The move aims to enhance supply chain transparency, resilience, and cost efficiency amid rising beef prices, which have reached their highest levels since 2013 due to factors like drought, high grain prices, and reduced cattle inventories. The facility sources cattle from Sustainable Beef LLC, a Nebraska-based company in which Walmart holds equity, enabling Walmart to cut out middlemen and offer more affordable, high-quality beef to customers in the Midwest. Walmart officials, including Executive Vice President John Laney, emphasize that this initiative will improve product traceability and consistency, while also creating over 600 jobs for the Olathe and Johnson County area. The grand opening was celebrated by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and local leaders, highlighting the plant’s expected positive economic impact on the region and Walmart’s role as a committed community partner. Additionally, Walmart distributed $90,000 in grants to local nonprofits during the event, further demonstrating its investment in the local community.