Nature’s Bakery to Build 339,000-Sq.-Ft. Baking Facility in Salt Lake City

Jan. 12, 2024

Parent company Mars Inc. investing $237 million to establish bakery operations in Utah, scheduled to open in July 2025.

Granola and snack bar brand Nature’s Bakery, part of Mars Inc., will establish a 339,000-square-foot baking facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, according to various news releases distributed on the announcement.

The facility, which is expected to open in July 2025, will bring 190 jobs and represent a $237 million capital investment for the company. The Reno, Nev.-based Nature’s Bakery was founded in 2011, and it has grown to become the eight best-selling and fastest-growing granola and snack bar brand, according to the company’s release.

Nature’s Bakery was acquired by Kind in December 2020 (which had been acquired by Mars Inc. a month prior, in November 2020). Nature’s Bakery snacks are plant-based, dairy-free, nut-free and Non-GMO Project Verified.

Steve Gardiner, CEO of Nature’s Bakery, called the expansion a significant milestone in his comments. “As a self-manufacturer, this facility joins our existing bakeries to reflect our commitment to innovation and quality, and underscores our confidence in the thriving business environment of Utah.”

Mars Inc. says the investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to scaling its brands responsibly.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.