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Omaha Steaks invests $20M in food safety innovation in Omaha

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  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 16:23 GMT by KETV Omaha
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Omaha Steaks Breaks Ground on New Food‑Processing Complex, Aiming to Boost Local Economy and Expand National Reach

On a bright, clear morning in early March, the city of Omaha’s West Side welcomed the start of a major new chapter in the state’s long‑standing meat‑packing heritage. Omaha Steaks, the nationally‑recognized premium steak and specialty meat brand that has been a staple of Nebraska’s agricultural economy since 1948, officially broke ground on a state‑of‑the‑art food‑processing facility in downtown Omaha. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by company executives, city officials, local business leaders, and a handful of Nebraska‑state legislators, marked the beginning of a $28‑million investment that promises to create jobs, modernize production, and further cement Omaha’s reputation as the “Steak Capital of the World.”

A Facility Designed for the Future

The new complex, which will occupy roughly 70,000 square feet of a mixed‑use development on 500 North 11th Street, is set to become Omaha Steaks’ largest processing plant to date. According to a spokesperson for the company, the plant will feature a high‑speed, fully automated processing line that can handle up to 2,500 pounds of beef per hour, a significant increase over the current 1,200‑pound capacity at the existing Omaha facility. The new plant will also incorporate advanced cold‑storage solutions that allow for longer shelf life, improved safety, and reduced waste—a key component of the company’s sustainability goals.

“We’re building a facility that’s designed for the next decade of growth,” said CEO Dan Hutton. “It’s not just about expanding our capacity; it’s about investing in the technology that will keep our products fresh, reduce our carbon footprint, and deliver the best possible experience to customers across the country.” Hutton emphasized that the facility’s design incorporates the latest in automation and robotics, allowing for greater precision in trimming, packaging, and labeling while keeping labor costs in check. The plant will also house a new “innovation lab” dedicated to developing new product lines and testing new packaging solutions.

The complex will house an integrated logistics hub, allowing Omaha Steaks to streamline its distribution to retail partners and direct‑to‑consumer online orders. The company plans to use a combination of regional trucking and dedicated rail lines to ship its products nationwide. In a nod to its roots, the plant will feature a “Heritage Hall” that will showcase the company’s history, from its founding in 1948 by J. D. Smith to its present‑day status as a household name in the United States.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

According to preliminary estimates from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the new plant is expected to create approximately 60 full‑time jobs, with an additional 20 part‑time positions in the surrounding area. The jobs will range from plant operators and quality‑control specialists to supply‑chain managers and data‑analytics engineers. In addition, the project is expected to bring an estimated $1.2 million in new tax revenue to the city over the next decade.

“We’re thrilled to see Omaha Steaks investing in our community,” said Omaha Mayor Tom Allen at the ceremony. “This plant not only brings jobs, but it also reaffirms Omaha’s position as a center of food innovation. It’s a win for the city, for the state, and for our residents.” The mayor also noted that the plant’s proximity to the city’s downtown core will make it an easy commute for many employees and will help drive foot traffic to nearby businesses.

In a statement to the local press, the company cited its long history of community partnership. Omaha Steaks has previously invested in a local culinary school and partnered with the University of Nebraska’s School of Business to launch a “Food Production and Supply Chain” internship program. The new plant will include a dedicated internship space that will host students from local high schools, colleges, and culinary institutions.

Sustainability and Innovation

Sustainability has been a recurring theme in Omaha Steaks’ recent communications. The company has pledged to reduce its greenhouse‑gas emissions by 25 % over the next decade. The new plant will feature an on‑site renewable‑energy array that is expected to power 20 % of the facility’s electricity needs. In addition, the plant’s waste‑management system will aim for zero landfill disposal through the recycling of all meat‑processing byproducts and the composting of plant‑based packaging waste.

“Our vision is to set a new standard for sustainable meat production,” said Hutton. “The new plant is designed to be a green building, with an LEED‑Gold certification target in the pipeline.” The company’s CEO also highlighted that the plant will use a proprietary “Smart‑Cold” system that automatically adjusts temperature and humidity to optimize product longevity, thereby reducing spoilage and food waste.

Community Outreach and Next Steps

During the groundbreaking ceremony, a time‑capsule box was buried near the site. Inside are items that represent Omaha’s culinary heritage, such as a vintage steak knife, a handwritten recipe from a local chef, and a framed photograph of the original 1948 storefront. The company said that the box will be opened on the 25th anniversary of the new plant, symbolizing its commitment to the community for generations to come.

Construction is slated to begin in April and is projected to be completed by the end of 2025. The plant will then undergo a series of regulatory inspections and certification processes before it opens its doors to the public. Omaha Steaks plans to launch a series of virtual tours and behind‑the‑scenes videos on its social media channels once the facility is operational.

The company’s move is part of a broader industry trend in which premium meat producers are investing heavily in technology to improve traceability, reduce waste, and meet growing consumer demand for high‑quality, responsibly sourced products. According to the National Beef Packers Association, the U.S. premium beef market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 4 % over the next five years.

Conclusion

Omaha Steaks’ groundbreaking of its new food‑processing facility marks a significant milestone for the company and for the city of Omaha. With a focus on automation, sustainability, and community partnership, the new plant is poised to become a benchmark for the industry. As the project moves from ground‑breaking to construction and finally to operation, it will serve as a tangible reminder of how traditional food‑packing can evolve to meet the demands of a modern, conscientious consumer base while bolstering local economies. The new facility will not only deliver the world’s best steaks to tables across America but will also strengthen Omaha’s identity as a hub of food innovation and culinary excellence.