It is the site of a Nestlé Rowntree factory on Rowan Drive, which opened in 1958, employs 600 workers and produces 40,000 tonnes of chocolate a year. It is Nestlé's second largest UK factory after York. The site makes Blue Riband, Breakaway (since 1970), Caramac (since 1959), Fruit pastilles, Rolo, and Yorkie biscuits. The Munchies brand moved there in 2006, from York. The site used to extensively use the rail sidings and track now used by the Metro. In 2021 Nestlé announced plans to close the Fawdon Factory by 2023.
