Almond Milk-Based Vegan Cheese To Expand US Headquarters In Tysons

MCLEAN, VA — The U.S. subsidiary of a South Korean food technology company that makes vegan cheese plans to invest $125,000 to expand its headquarters in the Tysons area, officials announced Tuesday.

Armored Fresh, the U.S. subsidiary of Armored Fresh Inc., said it plans to bolster its marketing and sales staff at the McLean location to help expand its presence in the United States. The company plans to add 27 new jobs in Tysons.

The company also considered moving its operations to Maryland, D.C., New York and California, but in the end decided to boost its presence in the Tysons area.

Armored Fresh, an almond milk-based vegan cheese brand, said its vegan cheese “comes super close to matching the taste and texture that people expect in cheese.”

“Northern Virginia and Fairfax County has a rich history in dairy and is advancing in tech innovation. We’re glad to make Fairfax County our home and be part of the vibrant business and innovation community,” Andrew Yu, CEO of Armored Fresh, said in a statement.

Established in 2021, Armored Fresh is the first company in the world to commercialize almond milk-based cheeses in various forms. The company’s products include sliced American style, shredded mozzarella, cheese cubes, and spreadable cream cheeses in a variety of flavors.

As a result of the expansion in Fairfax County, Armored Fresh said it will serve the U.S. market through online sales on its website in brick-and-mortar stores first in New York City, then in other cities and states.

“I am thrilled to see an innovator like Armored Fresh expand its Fairfax County headquarters, creating jobs and growing its business capacity,” Jeff McKay, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, said in a statement. “Their environmentally sustainable approach to healthy food is an example of the type of forward-thinking companies that make their home here, and I especially appreciate the expansion of our economic ties with South Korea.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership said it worked with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority to get Armored Fresh to stay in McLean and will support Armored Fresh’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities.

As a business incentive supporting economic development, the taxpayer-funded Virginia Jobs Investment Program reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies, according to state officials.

“It is gratifying to support the growth of an international company like Armored Fresh, whose success further strengthens Virginia’s standing as a prime global business destination,” Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. “The company is advancing food technology with its vegan cheese products, and we are proud that this industry innovation is happening right here in the Commonwealth.”

Armored Fresh Inc. is based in Seoul. Its U.S. subsidiary is headquartered at 1765 Greensboro Station Place in McLean.