November 12th, 2025Hot chips to create jobs

A major international food manufacturer will establish its first Australian production facility in Western Victoria, creating 250 new local jobs and driving economic growth in the Wimmera.

Farm Frites Australia is establishing a $300 million APAC manufacturing base in Dooen to manufacture its popular frozen chips using Australian produce.

Farm Frites Australia supplies frozen chips, fries and other potato-based products to takeaways, pubs, clubs, and fast-food restaurants including KFC and Hungry Jacks right across Australia.

The 24-hour production facility, located next to the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Hub, will support Australian farmers, create jobs for local workers, and offer training and career opportunities for students in a region with a proud agricultural history.

Once operational in 2027, the manufacturing plant will have capacity to process up to 250,000 tonnes of Australian-grown potatoes every year.

The  new food processing facility was granted planning permit approval under the Labor Government’s Development Facilitation Program which expedites planning decisions for eligible projects that will inject investment into the Victorian economy – creating new jobs and promoting economic growth.

After a national search, Farm Frites Australia settled on Dooen, near Horsham, to open the manufacturing facility.

Victoria has the largest and most established food and beverage manufacturing sector Australia, generating more than $44 billion in sales and service income and employing more than 76,000 people.

Victoria is the leading Australian investment destination for the food and beverage sector, attracting $170 million in foreign direct investment in 2024.