By Tiare Solis, originally posted April 22, 2025 in Upstate Business Journal
Milo’s Tea Co. held a grand opening for its new Spartanburg County production facility April 22.
The 110,000-square-foot facility is located just off Interstate 26 in Moore and represents a $200 million economic investment in the Upstate. Present at the ribbon cutting were Milo’s CEO Tricia Wallwork, Walmart CEO John Furner and Gov. Henry McMaster, among others.
“We built a business based on values, on putting people first, on delicious drinks with real ingredients that you have in your kitchen and a growth mindset,” Wallwork said. “We’re blessed to have team of remarkable people right here in the Upstate that are ready to live our values.”
Milo’s was founded in Birmingham, Alabama, as Milo’s Hamburgers in 1946 by Wallwork’s grandparents, Milo and Bea Carlton. The restaurant served burgers, fries and sweet tea, and it still exists today. The restaurant franchised in 1982 with Wallwork’s parents.
Walmart partnership
The beverage component eventually branched off into Milo’s Tea Co., which partnered with Walmart roughly 30 years ago. In 2013, Walmart launched its U.S. Manufacturing Initiative, and Wallwork sought an opportunity for expansion.
Milo’s tea is now available at more than 55,000 retail locations.
The Spartanburg County operation was announced in June 2023. The opening marks the fourth facility for the family-owned tea company. It opened a Tulsa, Oklahoma, facility in 2020 to serve western states.
“Now we want to come a little bit further east and a little bit further north so that we could access all of the Eastern Seaboard,” said Milo’s COO Chris Droney.
The Spartanburg facility will brew and package tea, which will then be shipped to Walmart regional distribution centers.
“We continue to be closer to where customers are and closer to our distribution cities, which is a great opportunity for us,” said Will McDonald, Walmart vice president of merchandising for beverages.
By the end of the year, the facility will ramp up to annually produce 25 million cases of tea, each containing four one-gallon bottles. When fully operational, it will employ more than 200 workers.