Dive Brief:

• The town of Emporia, KS, is proving crucial to the revival of the Twinkies brand. 
• The plant was one of four that new owners reopened last year after a labor dispute shut down production of Hostess brands at plants across the nation. It employs 330 workers, with an expected 50 more jobs to be added. 
• The company has since invested $30 million in plant improvements. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for July 18 for a new, 36,000 square foot warehouse on the site. 

Dive Insight:

Emporia seems poised to become the Twinkies capital of the world. Emporia is set to produce 1.6 million Twinkies a day -- the most of any Hostess plant. And that suits the residents just fine; they're planning a Twinkies festival for later this month.