Ferrero begins production of Nutella Peanut at Chicago-area facility
The opening of the dedicated production line is a strategic move to capitalize on the distinct flavor preferences of the North American market while shortening the supply chain for its latest regional innovation.
USA – Ferrero North America, part of the global sweet-packaged food company the Ferrero Group, celebrated the launch of its new Nutella Peanut production line, at its existing plant in Franklin Park, Illinois, marking the iconic brand’s first-ever flavor variant and its inaugural US-manufactured product.
The US$75 million investment expands the historic facility, home to Butterfinger and Baby Ruth since the 1960s, creating 50 new jobs in production and operations while sourcing hazelnuts from Oregon and peanuts from Georgia for nationwide distribution starting at Walmart and other major retailers.
Nutella Peanut blends the classic hazelnut spread with roasted peanuts, delivering a creamy, indulgent twist on the 60-year-old recipe unchanged since 1964, targeting US consumers’ love for nut-forward innovations amid a US$2 billion annual hazelnut spread market.
This move builds on Ferrero’s aggressive North American expansion, including billions of dollars spent on brands like Wells Enterprises and Fannie May, as well as facilities in states such as Georgia, Kentucky, and Ohio.
President and Chief Business Officer Michael Lindsey highlighted the project’s showcase of Ferrero’s commitment to growth and brand evolution, noting that it elevates a beloved staple through local manufacturing excellence.
The line enhances Ferrero’s footprint in the Chicago area by leveraging the plant’s confectionery heritage to enable efficient scaling, with products now rolling off the line for swift market entry.
This development underscores Ferrero’s strategy to localize production, reduce import reliance, and tap into premium private-label and branded opportunities in the competitive spreads category.
Ferrero noted that the new Nutella Peanut product is made using hazelnuts sourced from Oregon and peanuts from Georgia and other southeastern states, underlining a domestically integrated supply chain.
The product is manufactured at a dedicated facility to strictly avoid cross-contamination with the original hazelnut production lines, with consumer safety for those with specific nut allergies listed as a top priority for the Ferrero Group.
The milestone event was celebrated alongside Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Illinois Representative Norma Hernandez, Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pedersen, and representatives from Walmart, showing the retail giant’s support of US manufacturing.
Michael Lindsey, President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America, said the project showcases Ferrero’s “dedicated and talented teams, commitment to growth in North America, and the company’s ability to thoughtfully and effectively evolve brands that have been loved for generations.”
The Franklin Park expansion is part of a larger US$1 billion investment by Ferrero in Illinois over the last decade, which also includes a Bloomington chocolate factory, a Chicago R&D Innovation Center, and another facility on 110th Street in Chicago.
Nutella Peanut is now available at Walmart and other retailers nationwide.
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