Lifeway Foods Completes First Phase of Waukesha Expansion, Doubling Fermentation Capacity
The multi-million-dollar project will double production by 2026, boost local hiring and strengthen Wisconsin’s dairy economy as Lifeway rides 22 straight quarters of growth
Lifeway Foods, Inc., a leading US supplier of kefir and fermented probiotic products that support the microbiome, announced the completion of stage one of its plans to double its production capacity in Waukesha, Wis., the brand's latest move in a nationwide growth surge redefining the future of functional dairy.
Lifeway is undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion in Waukesha. This multi-million-dollar investment will roughly double production capacity at the Waukesha facility and drive a significant hiring ramp-up to meet increased demand. Lifeway currently uses almost 100 million pounds of Wisconsin milk annually to culture into kefir. Kefir is made by inoculating milk with live kefir grains — colonies of probiotic bacteria and yeasts — that ferment lactose into a tangy, nutrient-dense beverage over a 12–24-hour process, creating billions of live probiotic cultures in every serving.
Stage one is complete. During 2025, the company doubled the number of fermentation tanks used to combine the raw milk purchased from Wisconsin dairy farmers with the live kefir cultures during the fermentation process to make kefir.
The next three stages are underway and expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026. After this expansion is fully operational, Lifeway expects to double production, directly benefiting the Wisconsin dairy economy and the greater Waukesha community.
Key highlights
- Q2 2025 hit new highs: Lifeway achieved a record $53.9 million in net sales, an 18% year-over-year jump on a comparable basis.
- Category dominance continues into Q3: In just the first two months of Q3 (through August 31), Lifeway recorded $39.1 million in unaudited net sales, a 20% year-over-year increase.
- Earlier surge: During April–May 2025, net sales reached $37.6 million (up 10.7% YoY), with year-to-date totals of $83.7 million, fueled by expanded distribution in Target, Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh and other leading retailers.
- Consistent trajectory: Lifeway has delivered 22 consecutive quarters of growth, cementing its reputation as a retail dairy innovator.
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