CJ Schwan's Unveils Massive Automated Pizza Plant

New 400,000-sq.-ft. facility in Salina, Kansas can produce over 100 million pizzas annually.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:14am

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A stylized, isometric 3D digital illustration depicting a miniature, conceptual pizza production facility with robotic arms, conveyor belts, and stacks of finished pizzas, representing the advanced automation and efficient design of CJ Schwan's new plant.CJ Schwan's new highly automated pizza plant in Salina, Kansas showcases the future of frozen food manufacturing.Salina Today

CJ Schwan's, a subsidiary of South Korea-based CJ Foods, has opened a new state-of-the-art pizza manufacturing facility in Salina, Kansas. The 400,000-sq.-ft. plant, which is one of the largest in the world, features advanced automation and can produce over 100 million pizzas per year across the company's Red Baron, Tony's, Freschetta and Big Daddy's brands.

Why it matters

As consumer demand for frozen pizza continues to soar, CJ Schwan's new highly automated facility allows the company to significantly boost production capacity to meet growing market needs. The plant's innovative design and technology also showcase how food manufacturers are evolving their operations to drive efficiency and quality.

The details

The new Salina plant features a linear, multi-stage production line with cutting-edge automation, including robotic systems that count, move and stack baking pans. An end-to-end SCADA system provides real-time data and control of all processes, while mobile devices allow employees to communicate and access manuals. The facility also includes a 140,000-sq.-ft. distribution center with 12 loading docks and automated guided vehicles.

  • Construction began in 2019, with the first sellable pizza coming off the line in March 2023.
  • The new facility and distribution center were completed in 2025.

The players

CJ Schwan's

A subsidiary of South Korea-based CJ Foods that manufactures frozen pizza, Asian-style foods and desserts under brands like Red Baron, Tony's, Freschetta and bibigo.

Fred Silhan

Plant director for CJ Schwan's new manufacturing facility in Salina, Kansas.

John Crocker

Senior director of manufacturing for the Salina campus.

Aubrey Novotny

Director of product development at CJ Schwan's.

Amit Save

Continuous improvement director for the Salina campus.

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What they’re saying

“Because we were able to start from scratch, we were able to design and build the new facility exactly how we wanted it. So you will see a lot more automation and efficient design.”

— Fred Silhan, Plant Director

“From the beginning, it was really about articulating what things we wanted to optimize and then what those changes would mean for both the process and then the product.”

— Aubrey Novotny, Director of Product Development

What’s next

CJ Schwan's continues to grow the new facility by adding more items, hitting new production records and optimizing operations. The company also has ample space on the 77-acre Salina campus to potentially expand the footprint of the new facility in the future.

The takeaway

CJ Schwan's new highly automated pizza plant in Salina showcases how food manufacturers are leveraging advanced technology and innovative design to boost production capacity, enhance efficiency and maintain quality as consumer demand surges. The facility's focus on flexibility, collaboration and continuous improvement also highlights the critical role of the workforce in driving these transformations.