Happy cows come from Texas now

Published January 2, 2026 5:15am ET



If you’ve ever ordered a pizza from Domino’s, Pizza Hut, or Papa John’s, you’ve probably eaten mozzarella made by Leprino Foods in Lemoore, California. But that era is coming to an end. Like hundreds of other companies, Leprino is pulling back from California and expanding operations in Texas.

For decades, Leprino was a cornerstone of the Central Valley economy. Now it is closing one of its two Lemoore facilities, eliminating nearly 400 local jobs. The company has pointed directly to California’s crushing regulatory climate as a key factor behind the decision.

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