General Mills said it will close three facilities in Missouri as part of an effort to improve the company's supply chain.

The Minnesota-based company will shutter a pizza crust manufacturing facility in St. Charles, Missouri, and two pet food plants in Joplin, Missouri, under an initiative to "increase the competitiveness of our supply chain," according to a report filing on Sept. 25.

The pet food plants were acquired in the 2024 purchase of Whitebridge Pet Brands, the company said. The TNT Pizza Crust facility was purchased in 2022, Mollie Wulff, a General Mills spokesperson, said in a statement provided to USA TODAY.

"Production at these locations will transition to other facilities,” Wulff said.

Production at the Joplin facilities is expected to end by July 2026, while the St. Charles plant will close by the end of June 2026, the company said.

General Mills said employees at the Joplin locations will have employment opportunities at other pet food plants and that it will work with employees at the St. Charles plant to explore employment within the company.

Missouri closures part of larger restructuring

It is unclear how many employees will be affected by the closures. A WARN Act notice did not appear on the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development website as of Oct. 1.

In May, General Mills approved a "multi-year global transformation initiative" and said in a filing that it anticipated spending about $70 million primarily for severance expenses.

"While this news represents hard choices, they are necessary to fund product innovation, create compelling consumer value, and position General Mills for long-term success," the company said in a statement, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: General Mills to close pet food and pizza crust facilities in Missouri

Reporting by James Powel, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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