CHATTANOOGA — Pilgrim's Pride Corporation announced the permanent closure of the harvesting operations at its Chattanooga, Tennessee, facility, effective September 25, 2026. A company announcement stated that 348 Chattanooga workers would be affected by the operational changes.

The company also filed a WARN notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, notifying the state's Dislocated Worker Unit on June 12, 2026. The WARN notice specifies that the permanent closure at 1591 Broad Street in Chattanooga will take effect on September 25, 2026. This notice lists 315 affected workers, encompassing both union-represented and non-represented employees.

Pilgrim's Pride will continue to utilize the Chattanooga facility's deboning infrastructure to support operations in Ellijay. Fabio Sandri, chief executive officer of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, stated the company is making investments to position its operations for the future as consumer demand shifts and customers grow. He added that the expansion allows for portfolio optimization, improved efficiency, and continued delivery of high-quality products.

Sandri said there would be no impact on the grower base in the region. He also confirmed that Pilgrim's will maintain service and quality levels for all customers, including those purchasing bone-in products, through its broader network of facilities. The company stated that affected employees will be eligible for transfer to other company locations and will have opportunities to apply for open roles at facilities across the United States. Pilgrim's Pride will provide on-site support, transition resources, and continued engagement with local workforce partners for these employees.

No independent assessment was available for this report.