North Raleigh Today

Today, North Carolina's Governor Josh Stein announced a significant development for Rutherford County. Wow Bao, an Asian street food company known for its distinctive bao (steamed buns), potstickers, and soup dumplings, has chosen Forest City as the location for its new manufacturing facility. This venture will create 88 jobs and involve an investment of $6.45 million.

Governor Stein remarked, "North Carolina welcomes Wow Bao to our state where businesses find a strong infrastructure and ready workforce. Wow Bao’s decision to expand here strengthens our state's vibrant food industry and brings new opportunities and jobs to Rutherford County."

Since its founding in 2003 as a fast-casual restaurant brand, Wow Bao has expanded significantly. The company now provides its food through various channels, including restaurants, airport locations, and grocery stores nationwide. The new facility in Forest City will assist in meeting increasing demand and improving production capabilities.

Matt Fallon, CFO of Wow Bao, commented, “Wow Bao is thrilled to bring our operations to Forest City. With a world-class workforce and vibrant food and beverage industry, it became clear that Forest City and the State of North Carolina were the perfect home for this exciting phase of Wow Bao’s expansion. We are excited to begin cooking up America’s Number One Bao in Forest City and shipping it out to the rest of the country. We’re grateful for the support of Governor Stein, and our many partners throughout North Carolina, and we look forward to joining the community and catapulting this great brand forward.”

Lee Lilley, N.C. Commerce Secretary, highlighted that “With the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast and the fourth largest food and beverage industry in the country, North Carolina is the ideal place for companies like Wow Bao to thrive. Our economic development teams at the state, regional, and local level will continue to provide strong support as the company expands their cutting-edge business.”

The Forest City facility will employ various professionals including maintenance engineers, production supervisors, and sanitation associates. The average salary for these roles is expected to exceed the local average, potentially leading to an annual payroll impact of over $4.3 million for the region.

To support Wow Bao's move to North Carolina, a $180,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund has been provided. This fund aids local governments in drawing economic investment and creating employment opportunities. Grants are contingent upon recipients meeting specific job creation and investment criteria.

State Senator Timothy D. Moffitt congratulated Wow Bao, stating, "Congratulations to Wow Bao on choosing Rutherford County for its new manufacturing facility. We look forward to the continued success and impact of their presence in North Carolina."

N.C. Representative Jake Johnson noted, “This expansion is a tremendous win for Forest City, bringing more jobs and strengthening our position as a leader in food production. I’m excited to see Wow Bao expand and thrive here.”

This project has been supported by various partners, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and several educational institutions and local governments.