North Wake News

Today, it was announced by Governor Josh Stein that Wow Bao, an Asian street food company, will establish a manufacturing facility in Forest City, Rutherford County. The venture involves a $6.45 million investment and is anticipated to create 88 jobs.

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

Wow Bao, founded in 2003, has gained recognition for its Asian-inspired menu and has expanded nationwide through various channels including restaurants and grocery stores. The planned facility aims to increase production and expand the company’s reach.

Matt Fallon, CFO of Wow Bao, stated, “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.”

With North Carolina being home to the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast, N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley commented, “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 new facility will feature roles such as maintenance engineers, production supervisors, and sanitation associates. These positions will offer an average annual salary of $49,648, which is above the Rutherford County average.

A $180,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund will assist Wow Bao's expansion into North Carolina. The fund provides financial support to local governments to encourage job creation and economic investment.

N.C. Senator Timothy D. Moffitt remarked, “Congratulations to Wow Bao on choosing Rutherford County for its new manufacturing facility.”

N.C. Representative Jake Johnson added, “This expansion is a tremendous win for Forest City, bringing more jobs and strengthening our position as a leader in food production.”

Several partners are involved in this project, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and regional educational institutions.