DECATUR, Ill. — Tillamook Ice Cream has officially begun production at its newly launched manufacturing plant in Decatur, marking a significant milestone in the company’s national growth. This is the first time the Oregon-based brand has established its own manufacturing facility outside of its home state.
Once fully operational, the Decatur plant is expected to produce up to 15.5 million gallons of ice cream annually, helping meet the surging demand for Tillamook products across the U.S. The expansion comes on the heels of impressive growth: since 2021, over 4.4 million new customers have tried Tillamook Ice Cream, including more than one million in 2024 alone. The Eastern U.S. has played a major role in that growth, adding more than 600,000 new consumers last year.
“The Decatur plant is well equipped to serve our valued customers with increased production capacity while driving supply chain efficiency from the plant to a growing footprint of national and regional retail outlets,” said Mike Bever, executive vice president and chief supply chain officer at Tillamook.
The facility has already created 50 new jobs for the Decatur area, with further hiring expected as production scales up. In a strong show of community commitment, the plant is also part of a larger neighborhood revitalization initiative, converting a once-vacant industrial site into a vibrant economic hub.
As part of its local engagement efforts, Tillamook has contributed $50,000 in philanthropic support to several Decatur-based organizations:
$20,000 to the Decatur Park District, funding youth programs and events like the Ice Cream Safari at Scovill Zoo.
$20,000 to the Good Samaritan Inn, helping expand its urban food garden from one to five acres.
$5,000 to the Northeast Community Fund, supporting food security initiatives and the upcoming Farm to Fund event.
$5,000 to the Macon County Fair, supporting livestock and open class shows.
Beyond its popular ice cream, Tillamook is also the nation’s fastest-growing cheese and cream cheese brand. In 2024, one in four U.S. households purchased a Tillamook product, solidifying the brand’s position as a household name in dairy.
The Decatur expansion underscores the potential for ice cream franchise opportunities and national distribution strategies amid rising consumer interest in latest ice cream trends. As production ramps up in Illinois, Tillamook aims to bring more of its beloved flavors to freezers across America.
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