North Carolina Job Market Shaken As American Snack Food Industry Manufacturer Announced Layoffs

Photo byTMS Center of Lehigh Valley

A fire at J&J Snack Foods' Holly Ridge plant on August 19 has led to upcoming layoffs, with the company officially notifying the state of North Carolina that the job cuts will take effect on November 9.

Although the exact number of employees affected wasn't specified, the filing mentioned 33 job classifications, indicating a broad impact.

Workers at the plant produce items like pepperoni sandwiches, ham and cheese sandwiches, and Pretzel Dogs, with J&J Snack Foods best known for brands like Super Pretzels, Luigi’s Real Italian Ice, and Dippin’ Dots.

The fire caused extensive damage to both the interior and exterior of the facility, and residents in the area reported strange odors in the days following the incident.

The Holly Ridge facility, once owned by Holly Ridge Bakery and later acquired by J&J Snack Foods in 2011, has been a significant employer in Onslow County. At its peak, the plant employed over 140 people, making it one of the largest private employers in the area.

Local officials have not yet disclosed the cause of the fire, nor have they shared the cost of the damages. J&J Snack Foods is still evaluating the fire’s impact on the plant’s future operations.

With Holly Ridge’s population at around 4,900 residents and Onslow County experiencing a 5% unemployment rate, these layoffs are expected to have a significant impact on the local economy.

How do you think these layoffs will affect the Holly Ridge community?