Johnsonville co-owner Shelly Stayer said the company's headquarters and primary operations will stay in Sheboygan Falls, Minn., but the new product development space provides an opportunity to work more closely with industry leaders to develop new bratwursts and sausages.

“For the nearly 70 years Johnsonville has been in business, we’ve been focused on providing high-quality, delicious products,” Stayer said. “As we continue to innovate, finding new opportunities to provide great-tasting products for families around the world, we are thrilled to have this chance to learn from and work with world-class culinary talent in the Chicago area.”

The Innovation Center features a culinary kitchen, sensory and product development, consumer-feedback areas and more, the company notes.