Florida’s food and beverage industry is quietly shedding jobs — and the impact is growing

Florida’s reputation as a dining and tourism powerhouse hasn’t insulated it from a wave of layoffs hitting the food, beverage, and alcohol industries. From late 2025 into early 2026, factory closures and restaurant shutdowns have eliminated hundreds of jobs across the state, signaling deeper shifts in how Americans eat, drink, and spend.

Major snack plant closure hits Orlando (November 2025–2026)

One of the largest blows came in November 2025, when PepsiCo shut down a longtime Frito-Lay manufacturing plant in Orlando, eliminating more than 450 jobs. Additional warehouse layoffs followed in early 2026, cutting dozens more positions.

The facility had operated for decades, but the company pointed to automation, efficiency efforts, and changing consumer demand as key reasons for the closure—part of a broader national consolidation strategy.

Casual dining chain exits the state (2025–February 2026)

Florida’s restaurant sector has also taken a hit. Throughout 2025, Darden Restaurants began closing locations of Bahama Breeze (which is primarily located in Florida), impacting hundreds of workers statewide.

By February 2026, reports indicated the chain was being fully shut down or converted, marking the end of a nearly 30-year run. Once popular in tourist-heavy areas, the brand struggled with declining foot traffic and rising operating costs.

Alcohol distribution shakeup (2025–2026)

Layoffs have also reached the beverage supply chain. In late 2025 and continuing into 2026, Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) cut jobs in Florida as part of a broader national restructuring.

The alcohol industry is facing slower sales, shifting drinking habits, and increased competition, prompting distributors to streamline operations.

A sign of broader change

While each layoff has its own cause, the bigger picture is clear: consumer behavior is shifting in 2026. Americans are dining out less, drinking differently, and prioritizing value.

For Florida—where hospitality and food service are central to the economy—these changes are now translating into real job losses, with more potential cuts ahead.

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