Buitoni to Close Danville Plant Dec. 28
The closure eliminates 251 jobs as the company consolidates operations in New England.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Jobs — General
Live Poll
Do you trust large food companies to keep manufacturing jobs in local communities?
Buitoni will close its Danville plant on Dec. 28, a move that eliminates 251 jobs as the company brings its operations together in New England. The company notified the city of the closure on Oct. 28.
Why it matters
The closure is intended to consolidate operations in New England, bringing production closer to Buitoni's culinary and leadership teams. Affected workers in Danville face the loss of jobs at a facility that once employed 525 full-time workers.
The 240,000-square-foot plant was sold for $18.5 million in September 2024, and its headcount has fallen from 525 full-time employees at the 2020 acquisition to 251 jobs slated for elimination. The company has not disclosed what products the Danville facility made.
The players
Buitoni
An Italian-style pasta and prepared foods brand headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, which was acquired by Artisan Chef Manufacturing Co. in 2024.
Artisan Chef Manufacturing Co.
A food manufacturer that purchased Buitoni in 2024 and operates a facility in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
Virginia Works
The Commonwealth of Virginia's workforce development agency that provides job training and placement resources for displaced workers.
The details
Affected employees are receiving severance and benefits, and Buitoni is working with the city and Virginia Works to provide resources for displaced workers. The Danville plant at 201 Airside Drive was originally owned by Nestle USA before Buitoni acquired it in 2020.
Timeline
2020: Buitoni acquires the Danville plant from Nestle USA.
2024: Artisan Chef Manufacturing Co. purchases Buitoni.
Sept. 17, 2024: The Danville plant is sold to 201 Airside Drive LLC for $18.5 million.
Oct. 28, 2025: Buitoni notifies the city of the planned closure.
Dec. 28, 2025: The Danville plant closes, eliminating 251 jobs.
Market Landscape
The Danville plant changed hands from Nestle USA to Buitoni in 2020 and then to Artisan Chef Manufacturing through the 2024 purchase, reflecting a pattern of legacy prepared-foods facilities being sold and then consolidated by new owners. This consolidation shows how acquirers often trim duplicate manufacturing footprints after buying a brand.
Danville residents who worked at the plant will need to rely on the severance, benefits and Virginia Works resources the company has arranged. Local shoppers may see little direct change, but the loss of 251 jobs will reduce household incomes in the area.
The takeaway
Workers facing a plant closure should contact Virginia Works early to access retraining and placement resources before their final day. Reviewing severance and benefit details with the employer can help set a clear budget for the transition.
What happens next
Dec. 28, 2025 marks the scheduled closure of the Danville plant, when the 251 affected positions end.
Further reading
For more on local employment shifts, see Jobs — General coverage for Danville.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Danville Register and Bee.
Live Poll
Do you trust large food companies to keep manufacturing jobs in local communities?
