In August, 2020 VanTrust responded to an RFP for “Project Yellow” to develop a new snack food manufacturing facility in the greater Kansas City metro area. VanTrust proposed on multiple sites, inviting multiple design-build partners to submit competitive proposals. The VanTrust development team visited an existing Pretzels, Inc. plant in another state to develop a better understanding of the clients needs and challenges. In September 2020, Pretzels, Inc. selected VanTrust to develop the project at a site in Venture Park in Lawrence, Kansas. VanTrust immediately launched efforts towards design and permitting, allowing construction to commence in late October 2020.

The plant features two initial pretzel manufacturing lines, with expansion space and infrastructure for an additional four lines. Front office space, warehouse space, ingredients rooms, utility rooms, and equipment mezzanines round out the building program. Insulated precast concrete wall panels form the building’s exterior walls. Scrubbable insulated metal panels separate food production from warehouse and office areas. Exterior silo farms with oil containment pits provide bulk storage for ingredients. VanTrust sold the building in December 2021.