Bell & Evans is investing $152 million to expand its Pennsylvania plant, creating at least 382 new jobs while retaining 2,524 existing positions. The expansion includes a 50,000-square-foot addition to increase processing and packaging capacity at its Lebanon County facility.
- $152 million investment in Plant Two expansion at Bethel Township, Pennsylvania facility
- 382 new jobs expected to be created over the next three years, with 2,524 existing positions retained
- 50,000-square-foot addition will increase capacity for further processing and packaging operations
- $2 million Pennsylvania First grant provided by the state to support the project
- Bell & Evans processes 6 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken weekly, ranking as the 21st largest poultry producer in the United States
Bell & Evans is investing $152 million to expand its Plant Two operation in Bethel Township, Pennsylvania, a project expected to create at least 382 jobs over the next three years and retain 2,524 existing full-time positions.
The expansion includes a 50,000-square-foot addition at the Lebanon County facility on Route 22 to increase capacity for further processing and packaging operations, according to an Oct. 1 announcement from Gov. Josh Shapiro's office.
"Pennsylvania is our home. We're here to stay – building communities, creating strong livelihoods for our team members and offering stability for farmers," said Scott Sechler Sr., owner and chairman of Bell & Evans. "This is one of many projects in the works to support our mission of producing the best chicken in the world, right here in Pennsylvania."
Bell & Evans is a fifth-generation family business and America's oldest branded chicken company. The company pioneered all-natural Raised Without Antibiotics chicken and produces only Raised Without Antibiotics and organic-certified chicken, with no commodity production.
Bell & Evans is a PA Preferred Organic brand.
"Bell & Evans reflects what Pennsylvania does best – producing high-quality food and creating opportunity from the farm to the marketplace," said Russell Redding, Pennsylvania agriculture secretary.
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development offered the company a $2 million Pennsylvania First grant to support the project.
"Bell & Evans has been a part of Pennsylvania's economy for more than a hundred years – and this investment will continue to support family farms," Shapiro said.
Local economic development officials pointed to the company's track record. Susan Eberly, president of the Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corp., said Bell & Evans' job creation has been significant and will have lasting economic effects in the region.
Chris Herr, executive vice president of PennAg Industries, called the company a world leader and innovator in humane, high-quality poultry processing. Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Tommy Nagle said the investment is a win for the state's farmers.
Bell & Evans, which also does business as Farmers Pride Inc., processed 6 million pounds of ready-to-cook chicken on a weekly basis in 2025, according to the WATTPoultry.com Top Companies Database, making it the 21st largest poultry producer in the United States.
