Leprino Foods, the world’s largest mozzarella maker, is closing one of its dairy processing plants in California’s Central Valley. The company that supplies cheese to Domino’s, Pizza Hut and Papa John’s is planning to shutter its East Plant at 490 F St. in Lemoore in early 2026, resulting in the loss of over 300 jobs. Leprino announced the news in late 2024 to give employees time to find new jobs. “This decision is influenced by several factors, including the facility’s age, anticipated capital requirements to make improvements to the facility and add or replace equipment and systems, high operating costs in California, the long-term milk supply outlook, and the increased capacity due to the opening of our Lubbock, Texas facility,” read Leprino’s statement to KMPH-TV in 2024. SFGATE could not reach Leprino for comment before the time of publication.The company opened a massive new factory in Lubbock, Texas, in January, where Leprino processes over 500,000 gallons of milk per day to turn into mozzarella, sweet whey and sweet cream. Leprino manufactures and sells more than 1 billion pounds of cheese annually, according to Forbes.The East Plant has operated in Lemoore since 1910, although Leprino didn’t take over until the 1980s. The Denver-based company got its start in the 1950s as a small Italian grocery store that made its own ricotta and mozzarella cheese by hand.“This choice in no way reflects the hard work of our approximately 300 Lemoore East employees, who contribute to Leprino’s success every day,” continued Leprino’s statement. “… Our dedication to serving customers and honoring our commitments remains unwavering. This change will not affect the quality, service or reliability our customers expect of us and our products.”The company also has a West Plant in Lemoore on Belle Haven Drive that is expected to remain open. The company filed one WARN notice on Oct. 23, laying off 268 employees, and a second WARN notice on Dec. 15 that notified 100 employees of the plant’s permanent closure at the end of the year“This is the highest paying job in the valley — one of the highest paying factory jobs in the valley, and it’s going to be a great loss to the City of Lemoore,” former Leprino employee Dave Costa told KSEE/KGPE. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Leprino Foods, the world’s largest mozzarella maker, is closing one of its dairy processing plants in California’s Central Valley. The company that supplies cheese to Domino’s, Pizza Hut and Papa John’s is planning to shutter its East Plant at 490 F St. in Lemoore in early 2026, resulting in the loss of over 300 jobs. Leprino announced the news in late 2024 to give employees time to find new jobs.
“This decision is influenced by several factors, including the facility’s age, anticipated capital requirements to make improvements to the facility and add or replace equipment and systems, high operating costs in California, the long-term milk supply outlook, and the increased capacity due to the opening of our Lubbock, Texas facility,” read Leprino’s statement to KMPH-TV in 2024. SFGATE could not reach Leprino for comment before the time of publication.
The company opened a massive new factory in Lubbock, Texas, in January, where Leprino processes over 500,000 gallons of milk per day to turn into mozzarella, sweet whey and sweet cream. Leprino manufactures and sells more than 1 billion pounds of cheese annually, according to Forbes.
The East Plant has operated in Lemoore since 1910, although Leprino didn’t take over until the 1980s. The Denver-based company got its start in the 1950s as a small Italian grocery store that made its own ricotta and mozzarella cheese by hand.
“This choice in no way reflects the hard work of our approximately 300 Lemoore East employees, who contribute to Leprino’s success every day,” continued Leprino’s statement. “… Our dedication to serving customers and honoring our commitments remains unwavering. This change will not affect the quality, service or reliability our customers expect of us and our products.”
The company also has a West Plant in Lemoore on Belle Haven Drive that is expected to remain open. The company filed one WARN notice on Oct. 23, laying off 268 employees, and a second WARN notice on Dec. 15 that notified 100 employees of the plant’s permanent closure at the end of the year
“This is the highest paying job in the valley — one of the highest paying factory jobs in the valley, and it’s going to be a great loss to the City of Lemoore,” former Leprino employee Dave Costa told KSEE/KGPE.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel