Wisconsin’s food and beverage sector is facing another wave of disruption, as two major companies—Cargill and United Natural Foods, Inc.—announce significant layoffs and facility closures. The back-to-back moves are raising concerns about stability in a key part of the state’s economy. Cargill closes Milwaukee beef plant, cutting 221 jobs (2026) Cargill confirmed in February 2026 that it will shut down its Milwaukee beef [...]
Major brewing company cutting 9% of its workforce; hundreds laid off across US
Molson Coors announced it would slash hundreds of jobs as the beer giant restructures its operations across North America. The move comes as major beverage companies face slowing demand, rising costs and shifting consumer preferences. Recent layoffs At the end of 2025, Molson Coors Beverage Company announced it would eliminate 400 salaried jobs across its Americas business as part of a restructuring effort aimed at [...]
Massive alcohol distributor announces layoffs – why Texas could be hit hard
As one of the largest alcohol distributors moves forward with job cuts across parts of its national network, attention is turning to which states could see the largest impact. While the company has not released a full state-by-state breakdown, industry observers say its biggest operational footprints may offer clues. RNDC layoffs Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), one of the nation’s largest alcohol [...]
Mass layoffs hit nation’s largest grocery distributor, impacting workers in multiple states
The nation’s largest grocery distributor, United Natural Foods, Inc., is implementing sweeping changes across its network, triggering hundreds of layoffs in Wisconsin, Indiana, and other regions as it restructures its operations. The layoffs are a result of efforts to streamline operations and boost efficiency. Wisconsin distribution center closure cuts 443 jobs (2026) UNFI announced it will shut down its distribution [...]
Another Washington food plant shuts down, leaving 120 workers without jobs
A major food manufacturing facility in Washington is preparing to shut its doors, leaving more than 100 workers without jobs and raising fresh concerns about the stability of the region’s food production sector. (The company is relocating production to another state, which isn't surprising given Washington has the highest minimum wage in the country, and expensive rent in the Seattle area.) Sudden closure hits Kent [...]
Second Colorado Buc-ee’s scrapped after backlash, resignations — here’s why it fell apart
Plans for a second Buc-ee’s travel center in Colorado hit a major roadblock early last month after the Texas-based convenience store chain’s developers withdrew their annexation application for a proposed site in Palmer Lake. The sudden move marks the end — at least for now — of an often contentious effort to bring another supersized Buc-ee’s to the Front Range. Community opposition and legal battles stalled progress The [...]
