PepsiCo Overhauls North American Ranks as KFC Deal and Powder Push Broaden Its Reach
Published on 11/11/2026 at 17:11 | Editorial boerse-global.de
PepsiCo is moving on several fronts at once, trimming its North American workforce while widening a restaurant partnership and expanding a line of hydration powders. The company confirmed on Friday that it had renewed its drinks agreement with KFC across eight countries: Australia, India, the UK, Spain, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Belgium. That footprint stretches from European markets to Asia and Australia.
The two chains also pointed to cooperation on the food side, including DORITOS Loaded in selected markets.
Roughly 1,000 roles go in North America
Behind the partnership news sits a restructuring of the company's North American food and beverage business. According to Reuters, PepsiCo plans to cut about 1,000 jobs there in a bid to simplify the organization. The agency cited an employee memo sent on Monday by Ram Krishnan, who heads the North American division.
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Reuters placed the reductions against a backdrop of sluggish soft-drink sales, softer demand for premium snacks and higher input costs. The cuts are expected to hit both the food and beverage sides of the North American operation.
Powders aimed at performance and hydration
On 3 November, PepsiCo also laid out an expansion of its drink-powder range under the Gatorade, Propel and Gatorlyte names. The products are designed to serve different needs — athletic performance, wellness, energy and electrolyte balance. By the company's account, sales and distribution of the Gatorade and Propel powders both grew in US retail in 2026. Gatorlyte rounds out the powder portfolio PepsiCo chose to highlight.
Indian regulator dispute rumbles on
Separately, India's food safety authority, FSSAI, accused PepsiCo and Monster Beverage roughly a week ago of misleading consumers by labeling highly caffeinated drinks as "Energy Drinks." Reuters reported that the allegation appears in court documents. Both companies are challenging India's labeling restriction.
Shares of PepsiCo slipped 0.9% on the day, after gaining 1.8% in the prior session.
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