Bauducco, the Brazilian baking powerhouse, is making waves in the U.S. market with its ambitious expansion plans centered on a new state-of-the-art facility in Zephyrhills, Florida. The family-owned company, which has dominated the U.S. panettone market with an impressive 80% value share, is investing over $200 million in this strategic growth initiative. This expansion marks a significant milestone in Bauducco’s 20-plus years of operations in the United States, where it has already established itself as the third fastest-growing cookie producer nationwide. The new facility represents not only Bauducco’s commitment to strengthening its American footprint but also its vision for capturing a larger slice of the competitive U.S. baking goods market.
A Rich Heritage of Global Baking Excellence
Founded in 1952 by Carlo Bauducco in São Paulo, Brazil, Bauducco has grown from humble beginnings into a global baking industry leader. Today, the company produces an impressive 400,000 tons of baked goods annually, serving markets worldwide with their signature products. What started as a small family bakery has expanded into an international operation while maintaining its family values.
Now in its third generation of family ownership, Bauducco has stayed true to its roots while continuously growing its product portfolio. The company has become synonymous with high-quality traditional baked goods, particularly panettones, cookies, wafers, and toasts. Their commitment to quality has established them as a household name in Brazil and increasingly in international markets.
For over two decades, Bauducco has been building its presence in the United States, achieving remarkable success along the way. Their dominance in the U.S. panettone market is unparalleled, with an 80% value share making them the undisputed leader in this specialty seasonal item. Beyond holiday offerings, Bauducco has established itself as the third fastest-growing cookie producer in the country, demonstrating their ability to adapt to American consumer preferences.
Bauducco Wafers have carved out a particularly strong position, ranking as the second best-selling brand nationwide in their category. This success stems from the company’s ability to balance authentic recipes with innovation, creating products that appeal to American tastes while maintaining their distinctive quality and heritage.
The Zephyrhills Facility: A Strategic Investment
Bauducco’s new facility in Zephyrhills, Florida represents a major expansion of U.S. operations. Located in the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park, this strategic development encompasses 72 acres and will feature a massive 403,000-square-foot production facility. The investment of over $200 million underscores Bauducco’s long-term commitment to the American market.
The project will unfold in three carefully planned phases, beginning with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for March 21, 2025. Phase 1 is expected to be operational by mid-2026, with subsequent phases following in 2028 and 2030. This phased development approach allows Bauducco to gradually scale up production while ensuring operational excellence at each stage.
Job creation stands as one of the most significant benefits of this expansion. The facility will ultimately create approximately 600 new jobs in the region, with 120 full-time positions established during Phase 1 alone. These employment opportunities span various roles from production specialists to logistics experts, providing valuable economic stimulus to the Zephyrhills community.
The facility will focus on manufacturing Bauducco’s core products: biscuits, wafers, and panettones. By utilizing advanced production technologies, the company aims to enhance flexibility and accelerate new product development tailored to American consumer preferences. This advanced manufacturing capability will enable Bauducco to respond more quickly to evolving market demands and trends in the competitive U.S. baked goods sector.
Finding the Perfect Location
The decision to build in Zephyrhills wasn’t made lightly—Bauducco conducted an exhaustive nationwide search before selecting the Florida site. The company evaluated over 160 potential locations across seven states, considering factors such as logistics, workforce availability, business climate, and community support. This methodical approach reflects Bauducco’s commitment to making strategic, data-driven decisions for long-term success.
Zephyrhills ultimately emerged as the winner thanks to its business-friendly environment and strong support from multiple levels of government. State, county, and city development teams worked collaboratively to showcase the region’s advantages and potential for Bauducco’s expansion plans. These collaborative efforts proved decisive in securing this significant investment for the Tampa Bay area.
Stefano Mozzi, CEO of Bauducco USA, emphasized the importance of the location decision: “Zephyrhills offers the ideal infrastructure and community support to help us achieve our ambitious goals in the U.S. market.” This statement highlights how the local business ecosystem played a crucial role in the company’s decision-making process. The company recognized that success depends not only on internal capabilities but also on the surrounding business environment.
The proximity to major transportation networks, availability of skilled labor, and supportive regulatory environment all factored into the final decision. These elements are particularly important for a food manufacturing operation that requires reliable supply chains and distribution networks to maintain product freshness and quality. Zephyrhills offered the perfect combination of these critical success factors.
Economic Ripple Effects Across Tampa Bay
The economic impact of Bauducco’s expansion extends far beyond the facility itself. The creation of 600 jobs represents a significant economic boost for the Tampa Bay region, generating income for hundreds of families and stimulating additional spending in the local economy. These new positions will range from entry-level opportunities to skilled technical roles and management positions.
Beyond direct employment, the project will generate substantial secondary economic benefits. Local suppliers, contractors, and service providers will see increased business activity from both the construction phase and ongoing operations. The multiplier effect of this investment will ripple through the regional economy, creating additional jobs and business opportunities indirectly connected to Bauducco’s operations.
Local officials have expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential impact. Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson stated, “This investment will bring significant economic benefits to our community.” City Manager Billy Poe echoed this sentiment: “We’re excited to welcome Bauducco and support their growth.” These statements reflect the community-wide recognition of the project’s importance.
County Commissioner Ron Oakley emphasized the broader significance: “This project underscores Zephyrhills as a hub for innovation and job creation.” The Bauducco facility helps position Zephyrhills as an attractive destination for other food manufacturers and related businesses, potentially catalyzing additional investment in the region. The project reinforces Tampa Bay’s emerging reputation as a food innovation center with the infrastructure and workforce to support specialty food production.
From Brazil to America: Bauducco’s Growth Story
Bauducco’s expansion in Zephyrhills represents the latest chapter in the company’s American growth story. The company established its U.S. headquarters in Miami in 2016, strategically positioning itself to manage its growing American operations. This was followed by the opening of their first international plant in Miami in 2018, marking their initial manufacturing commitment to the U.S. market.
The decision to invest in American manufacturing capacity reflects Bauducco’s recognition of the unique requirements of the U.S. market. By producing locally, the company gains advantages in freshness, supply chain efficiency, and the ability to adapt products quickly to American consumer preferences. This strategy has paid dividends, as evidenced by their impressive growth in multiple product categories.
Looking forward, Bauducco has ambitious plans to further expand its product offerings and distribution network across the United States. The new Zephyrhills facility provides the production capacity and flexibility needed to support this growth trajectory. By increasing both volume and variety of products manufactured domestically, Bauducco can better serve American retailers and consumers while maintaining their high quality standards.
The long-term strategy is clear: Bauducco aims to deepen its U.S. market penetration while maintaining leadership in key product categories. The company sees tremendous opportunity to introduce more Americans to their authentic baked goods while continuing to evolve their offerings to match local preferences. With their expanded American manufacturing footprint, Bauducco is positioned to compete effectively against established bakery brands and fulfill their vision of becoming a leading player in the U.S. baked goods market for generations to come.