Frito-Lay to close San Bernardino warehouse and lay off employees - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Caroline Petrow-Cohen

February 20, 2026

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Frito-Lay, known for popular snacks like Doritos and Cheetos, has announced the closure of its Rancho Cucamonga facility, resulting in the layoff of 247 employees. The company confirmed the closure in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing on February 10, explaining that operations will be shifted to a new distribution center in the same area to better serve customers. Frito-Lay emphasized its commitment to supporting impacted employees with continued pay, benefits, and career assistance. The Rancho Cucamonga plant has been a cornerstone of the local economy since it opened in 1970, employing thousands over its 55-year history. The facility was also the birthplace of Frito-Lay’s iconic Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in 1990. Despite claims by former employee Richard Montañez that he invented the spicy snack, an investigation revealed he was not the creator. Frito-Lay operates more than 30 manufacturing facilities and over 200 distribution centers across North America, employing approximately 60,000 people. This closure follows other recent layoffs in the region, including the shutdown of a DHL facility in Ontario earlier this year. It also aligns with broader restructuring efforts by PepsiCo, Frito-Lay’s parent company, which has been “right-sizing” its operations to reduce costs amid declining sales in its snacks division. Earlier closures include a plant in Liberty, N.Y., and a warehouse in Maryland. The layoffs are part of a larger trend of corporate consolidation and operational streamlining within the food industry. While Frito-Lay assures that impacted employees will receive support through severance packages and career services, the closure highlights challenges faced by local economies as companies restructure their operations. This news is particularly significant for those affected by the layoffs and for understanding broader trends in corporate restructuring and employment impacts in the snack food industry.

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/20/2026