3 Tennessee cities make list of top food manufacturing locations nationwide

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee has been named a hub for food manufacturing, according to a new report.

The latest study from Global Location Strategies evaluated metropolitan areas in all 50 states to create a list of the best places for food manufacturers.

The annual study divides the United States into eight regions, placing Tennessee in the East South Central division with Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama. Of the top 10 metro areas that made the national ranking in 2025, four were in the East South Central region.

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Cities were evaluated by demographics, education quality, workforce, current industry ecosystem, road and interstate infrastructure, proximity to airports and rail networks, regulations, taxes, legal climate, quality of life, commuting patterns, community health and environmental factors.

In first place, Warner Robins, Georgia was named the most desirable spot in the country for food manufacturers.

In Tennessee, Clarksville was ranked fifth, climbing up 14 spots from its 2024 placement.

The city’s rising rank comes just months after the opening of Kewpie Company’s new manufacturing facility, Q&B Foods, in Montgomery County. The factory is the Japan-based company’s second in the U.S., with the other in California.

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The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development commended the development upon its grand opening in May, stating that Japan is Tennessee’s top foreign investment partner.

In addition to Clarksville, two other Tennessee cities ranked in the top 10: Chattanooga in eighth and Knoxville in ninth.

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Didi Caldwell of Global Location Strategies Caldwell said business owners may be drawn to Tennessee for two reasons — the existing industry ecosystem and its location.

“When you look at Tennessee’s location relative to the population of the United States has really good logistics infrastructure and access so that you can deliver these goods to the consumer base fairly quickly,” she said.

Of the top 50 cities listed in the ranking, nine were in the East South Central region.

The full report can be viewed at globallocationstrategies.com.

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