• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Sports Drink Leader PepsiCo Laying Off Hundreds

  • Gatorade-maker PepsiCo is following the lead of many tech companies and cutting staff.
  • The company has leaned into energy drinks recently.
Dallas Cowboys team forms huddle in front of Pepsi advertisement
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

A major sports beverage maker is just the latest household name to slash its workforce.

PepsiCo, parent company of Gatorade, is laying off hundreds of employees, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The cuts were weighted more toward the company’s beverage sector than its snacks unit, which already reduced its workforce via a voluntary retirement program.

  • The company had roughly 309,000 global employees one year ago, including around 129,000 people in the U.S.
  • PepsiCo brought in $22 billion in the fiscal quarter ending Sept. 3, beating analysts’ expectations with a 9% year-over-year increase.
  • Net income rose 21.5% to $2.7 billion in the quarter.

The food and beverage giant, which also owns Frito Lay and Quaker Oats, among others, has leaned into energy drinks recently.

PepsiCo followed its $3.85 billion acquisition of Rockstar in 2020 with July’s $550 million investment in Celsius Holdings, which makes fitness-focused energy drinks. It also launched a caffeinated version of Gatorade in August in collaboration with the NFL.

Halftime Show

Apple Music Lands Super Bowl Halftime Show Sponsorship Deal

Apple Music takes over as sponsor of the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
September 23, 2022

Tech Trend

Headlines announcing layoffs have been a familiar sight of late due to big cutbacks in the tech sector. Amazon is shedding around 20,000 employees, while Meta let go of around 11,000.

Google is following suit with plans to lay off around 10,000 employees.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL: Super Bowl Field Standards Won’t Repeat Previous Slip-Ups

An elevated set of field standards is already showing benefits.
Penn State's Gavin McKenna, left, answers a question during a post-game press conference following a Big Ten hockey game against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium on January 31, 2026, in State College.

Penn State Hockey Standout Gavin McKenna Charged With Assault

McKenna was arrested following an incident after the Jan. 31 outdoor game.

Manfred, DeSantis Support Rays Stadium, Funding Questions Persist

Hillsborough County, Fla., enters a “framework” to negotiate with the team.
exclusive

Chicago Sky ‘Self-Dealing’ Suit Is Reminder of WNBA’s Painful Past

A minority investor sued team co-founder Michael Alter last week.

Featured Today

Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring a basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Crypto.com Arena

Why Pro Sports Team Valuations Will Keep Climbing in 2026

Asset scarcity and increasing media-rights deals underpin soaring valuations.
December 23, 2025

Ben Simmons Makes a Move: Buys 50% Stake in Sport Fishing Team

“I think I can really help this league grow,” Simmons told FOS.
December 27, 2025

Mark Walter Offered a Stake in His WNBA Team. Billie Jean King..

“Getting involved with the Dodgers literally changed our lives,” Ilana Kloss says.
Sponsored

From Kobe Bryant to Tom Brady: Mike Repole’s Billion-Dollar Playbook

Mike Repole shares an inside look into building brands & working with star athletes.
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp mascot Scampi waves to fans during Opening Day baseball against the Gwinnett Stripers on March 29, 2024.
December 17, 2025

Private Equity Dives Further Into Minor League Baseball

Seven MiLB teams have changed hands in the last week.
December 14, 2025

How Pickleball Became One Massive Private-Equity Rollup

Pickleball roads lead back to billionaire Tom Dundon.
Dec 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) chats with guard Will Richard (3) during the first half at United Center.
December 10, 2025

How a Single Deal Could Turn KKR Into a Sports Powerhouse

KKR and Arctos have been in talks since at least October.
Jul 26, 2024; Paris, FRANCE; Shaun White poses for a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower before the Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games.
November 17, 2025

The VC Firm Whose Investors Include Jets, Pacers Ownership Groups

359 Capital is lifting the veil so consumers can see its investors.