Skip to site menu Skip to page content

PepsiCo to close bottling site in US

Some 112 workers are being laid off across manufacturing, maintenance and warehouse operations at the site in Knoxville.

Satarupa Bhowmik October 21 2026

PepsiCo is shutting a bottling plant in the US state of Tennessee, impacting more than 100 jobs.

According to a WARN filing, 112 workers are being laid off across manufacturing, maintenance and warehouse operations at the site in Knoxville.

Staff were notified of the decision on Monday (19 October).

In the filing, PepsiCo said it is working to reassign workers to "nearby facilities".

Just Drinks asked PepsiCo to comment on the reasons for the closure. The company pointed this publication to a brief statement that said the move had been a "difficult decision".

The closure comes as the US drinks giant faces margin pressure on margins at its North America beverages business.

Marketing investment and muted underlying sales triggered a 15-basis-point drop in the unit's core operating margin during the third quarter, PepsiCo said earlier this month.

In the 12 weeks to 5 September, divisional net revenue climbed 5%, boosted by prior-year acquisitions.

However, organic revenue slipped “slightly”, PepsiCo said. The company pointed to a sequential improvement in “organic volume trends”.

The Mountain Dew brand owner has cut its 2026 earnings projection, now expecting core earnings per share to grow 1% to 2%, down from its previous forecast of “low end” of the 4% to 6% range.

Meanwhile, it emerged last week that rival Coca-Cola has won the drinks contract to supply drinks to US-based KFC restaurants, ending PepsiCo's 40-year tie-up with the chain.

Uncover your next opportunity with expert reports

Steer your business strategy with key data and insights from our latest market research reports and company profiles. Not ready to buy? Start small by downloading a sample report first.

Newsletters by sectors

close

Sign up to the newsletter: In Brief

Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Thank you for subscribing

View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network.

close