Cheney Brothers expanding still-new Florence County facility

Cheney Brothers, a Florida-based food-service distributor, is expanding its still-new Florence County operations with an additional $42.5 million investment that will create 85 new jobs.

Cheney Brothers processes and distributes a variety of food products across the United States, including meat and seafood, dairy, frozen food, and other dry groceries. The company also supplies food service equipment and offers kitchen and bar design services to its customers.

Cheney Brothers will expand its South Carolina distribution facility, located at 2491 Florence Harllee Blvd. in Florence, where the company first broke ground in 2023 with an initial project guided by design-build firm A M King.

“We have been greatly impressed by the business-friendly attitude of the state of South Carolina, Cheney Brothers CEO Byron Russell said in a news release. “We look forward to a long and very bright future, distributing product across the state.”

Operations are already online and the company is hiring.

The original announcement for the site in February 2022 called for a $66 million investment that would created 280 jobs.

“By adding 85 new jobs in Florence County, Cheney Brothers is deepening its investment in South Carolina and strengthening the local economy,” Gov. Henry McMaster said in the release. “This expansion will create new opportunities for hardworking South Carolinians and further reinforce our reputation as a place where businesses can succeed.”

The Commerce Department’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project. The council also awarded a $200,000 Set-Aside grant to Florence County to assist with the costs of site preparation and building construction.

“When a company like Cheney Brothers doubles down on Florence, it’s a win for everyone,” Florence County Council Chairman Jerry Yarborough said in the release. “Cheney Brothers’ decision to grow here brings stable, high-quality career opportunities that will benefit Florence County residents for generations to come.”

Cheney Brothers is in its fourth generation of family-owned operation. It purchased the Pate Dawson Company in 2016, adding facilities in North Carolina in Statesville, Goldsboro and Greensboro.