A growing appetite for convenient, high-protein foods is driving major investment across the meat industry — and pork may be the next frontier.
Chicago-based Chomps, a leading meat-snack company known for its better-for-you protein sticks, announced plans to open a dedicated Landmark Snacks manufacturing facility to support its rapid growth. The new plant will increase output for the brand’s beef, venison, and turkey products, adding production capacity and creating new manufacturing jobs in the Midwest.
The expansion highlights how consumer demand for portable, protein-rich snacks continues to reshape meat processing and supply chains across North America. As consumers seek high-quality protein with clean labels and convenience, brands are investing heavily in processing technology, sustainability, and domestic sourcing.
While the new facility will initially focus on non-pork proteins, the trend points toward broader opportunities for pork processors and integrators. Pork offers excellent flavor, versatility, and cost advantages — positioning it well for use in snack sticks, jerky, and shelf-stable meal products. Industry experts suggest that as protein innovation expands, pork could capture more market share in the value-added snack space through partnerships, co-manufacturing, and product development.
Producers and processors who adapt to these evolving preferences stand to benefit from the growing premium snack protein segment, which continues to outpace traditional meat sales.
The Chomps expansion is another signal that the protein sector is evolving beyond the meat case, and pork producers with an eye on innovation, branding, and consumer engagement can play an important role in shaping what’s next.
