Major snack brand laid off 432 workers from SoCal production plant

CALIFORNIA – Frito-Lay sent the Employment Development Department (EDD) a notification that it would be laying off 432 employees effective June 9, from its Rancho Cucamonga production plant.

“We are truly grateful for all the support over the last five decades from our Rancho Cucamonga manufacturing team as well as the local community,” PepsiCo told USA Today.

They added that they are committed to supporting those impacted during the transition by providing pay and benefits to impacted employees.

Frito-Lay has made changes to its product offering

In parent company PepsiCo’s full year 2024 results, Frito-Lay North America reported a decrease in operating profit.

Since then, the company has made changes to its product offering.

According to Spork, Frito-Lay launched new products in 2025, including Jalapeño & Lime Flavor Twists, three different Mystery Lay’s flavors, Hot Korean BBQ Doritos and others.

Meanwhile, Frito-Lay is also stopping production of:

Flamin’ Hot White Cheddar Smart Food
Ruffles Lime & Jalapeno
Tostitos Mexican Three Cheese
Tostitos Black Bean & Garlic
Lay’s Honey BBQ Poppables
Sun Chips Chili Lime
Popcorners Sour Cream & Onion
Doritos Dinamita Sticks

WARN report allows workers time to prepare for employment loss

DHL notified EDD of the mass layoffs through a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) report.

The report provides detailed information on employment layoffs.

Under the WARN Act, employers with 100 or more employees must give a 60-day notice before any plant closing or mass layoffs. This allows workers and their families time to prepare for employment loss.