Food manufacturers across the U.S. have continued to reshape operations as companies invest in newer equipment and shift production across their plant networks. In Memphis, WK Kellogg Co. has confirmed that 117 employees at its cereal manufacturing plant are set to lose their jobs over the coming month. The cuts are scheduled to begin on August 7 and continue through October 2, according to a WARN notice filed with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
WK Kellogg details the Memphis job cuts
WK Kellogg Co. said the layoffs at its Memphis, Tennessee, facility are permanent, with 117 employees affected in total. The company outlined the reduction in a WARN notice filed with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, with layoffs beginning August 7 and running through October 2.
The filing covers both union and non-union employees at the Memphis plant. WK Kellogg confirmed the site will stay open even after the workforce reduction is completed. The Memphis facility has been producing cereal since 1958, making it one of the company’s long-running manufacturing sites.
WK Kellogg became a standalone company in 2023 after its separation from Kellanova. Its cereal lineup includes Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, Special K, and Mini-Wheats, all of which remain part of its U.S. breakfast business.
What the layoffs mean for Memphis and Tennessee
For Memphis, the confirmed impact is the loss of 117 jobs over roughly a two-month period between August 7 and October 2. WK Kellogg said more than 200 employees are expected to remain at the Memphis plant after the layoffs are completed, which means the facility is not closing.
What has not been publicly detailed is a full breakdown of which positions are being cut inside the Tennessee operation. The company also has not released a more detailed public list showing how many affected workers are in specific departments at the Memphis site.
The layoffs still add to a broader pattern of food manufacturing workforce reductions affecting plants in multiple states. Recent workforce moves at Pilgrim’s Pride, Tyson Foods, and Del Monte Foods show that several major food companies have been adjusting staffing as they rework production footprints.
Why WK Kellogg says the cuts are happening
WK Kellogg said the Memphis layoffs are part of a supply chain modernization strategy first announced in August 2024. According to the company, that plan includes reducing production at the aging Memphis facility while investing hundreds of millions of dollars in newer manufacturing equipment and expanding capacity at other plants.
The company stated that the workforce reduction is tied to that long-term restructuring effort rather than a full shutdown of the Tennessee site. Memphis cereal production is expected to continue, even with a smaller workforce remaining after October 2.
For residents and shoppers, the immediate change is centered on employment, not on store shelves. WK Kellogg said it will continue cereal production in Memphis and stated that it is committed to supporting affected employees through the transition as the company carries out its broader manufacturing update.
