A CHERISHED snack brand has ceased production after 50 years of making iconic treats.
However, the production plant will continue to facilitate other operations.
A Frito-Lay production plant will stop manufacturing from this location[/caption]
A Frito-Lay manufacturing plant has left hundreds of employees without a job, as reported by a Los Angeles news outlet, KTLA.
In a statement regarding the layoffs, a spokesperson for PepsiCo Foods U.S., the parent company of Frito-Lay, confirmed that production at the Rancho Cucamonga facility has halted.
“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,” a statement reads.
The company said it is dedicated to helping workers who were affected by the sudden pause in manufacturing and will provide severance pay.
Despite the company’s “commitment” to those impacted, KTLA reported that hundreds of workers were let go without the opportunity to transfer to different departments within the company.
It is unclear how much money was included in the severance pay or how many exact employees were affected.
Although production has ceased, the plant will still have warehouse, distribution, fleet, and transportation teams who will operate out of the location.
Over the decades, the Frito-Lay facility has operated in California and employed thousands of workers.
BIG CHANGES AHEAD
As of mid-2025, Frito-Lay’s performance is mixed, facing some challenges in the North American market while also pursuing strategic adjustments and new product launches.
PepsiCo’s first-quarter 2025 results showed a decline in food sales in North America, with Frito-Lay contributing to this weakness.
With the losses, the company is looking to make significant changes in order to boost sales and consumer interest.
Frito-Lay is launching new products in 2025, including Spicy Dill Pickle Ruffles and various Doritos, Cheetos, Ruffles, and SunChips flavors.
At the same time, several snacks are reportedly being discontinued in 2025, including Flamin’ Hot White Cheddar Smart Food, Ruffles Lime & Jalapeno, and others.
POWER STRUGGLE
A former employee, Richard Montañez, claimed he invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, which has been strongly denied by the company.
Montañez says he came up with the idea while working as a janitor, taking unflavored Cheetos home and experimenting with seasonings inspired by Mexican street corn.
He claims to have pitched the idea to Frito-Lay CEO Roger Enrico and received a meeting.
Frito-Lay with went against that claim, telling the Los Angeles Times that “the facts do not support the urban legend” for their investigation four years ago.
The origin of the snack remains in limbo as a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit filed by Montañez.
U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb ruled that the ex-employee’s accusations of fraud and defamation did not have sufficient “factual support.”
Frito-Lay did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
