High-Tech Walgreens Site Will Bring 175 Jobs To Twin Cities Suburb

BROOKLYN PARK, MN — A new Walgreens facility in Brooklyn Park will bring more than 175 jobs to the area as the company expands its national network of high-tech prescription centers.

The site is part of Walgreens’ growing system of micro-fulfillment centers, or facilities that use robotic technology to process and ship prescriptions more efficiently.

The goal, according to company officials, is to streamline operations at the store level and allow pharmacists to focus more on patient care, including vaccinations, medication counseling, and other personalized health services.

Walgreens says the network of micro-fulfillment centers is already producing strong results.

The company reported a 24 percent year-over-year increase in shipped prescription volumes, with around 16 million prescriptions now filled each month.

At stores served by these facilities, approximately 40 percent of prescriptions are handled off-site, giving pharmacists more time for clinical services and direct interaction with patients.

The company has also launched a recycling initiative at its fulfillment sites, which processed 3.7 million pounds of cardboard, plastic, and toner cartridges in fiscal year 2024.

The Brooklyn Park facility will support nearly 200 Walgreens stores across the Midwest, including 145 in Minnesota. It’s expected to process roughly 13 million prescriptions annually and contribute substantial payroll tax revenue to the state and property tax revenue to Hennepin County.

"Walgreens’ investment in micro-fulfillment centers is another strategic step toward a brighter future for community pharmacy,” said Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer at Walgreens.

"Research shows that Americans want more health services at their local pharmacy, and micro-fulfillment centers help us meet those needs by allowing our pharmacists do what they do best: spend more time with patients."

With the addition of the Brooklyn Park location, Walgreens now operates 12 micro-fulfillment centers nationwide, supporting over 5,000 stores and fulfilling more than 3.5 million prescriptions each week.

"Our pharmacists working in locations supported by our micro-fulfillment sites are spending less time filling prescriptions and more time on patient care," said Kayla Heffington, Walgreens’ vice president of pharmacy operations.

"All of which help strengthen the health of our communities and provide a better overall patient experience."