Historic California Frito-Lay facility completes final operations as 248 jobs are eliminated

The final chapter has closed for one of Southern California’s most recognizable snack food facilities. PepsiCo has completed operations at its longtime Frito-Lay site in Rancho Cucamonga, ending decades of activity at a location closely tied to the company’s history and eliminating 248 jobs in the process.

The closure marks the end of operations at a facility that had been part of the Inland Empire’s manufacturing landscape since 1970 and is widely associated with the origins of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

A phased shutdown over two years

The closure unfolded in stages rather than all at once. In 2025, PepsiCo ended manufacturing operations at the Rancho Cucamonga plant, citing changing business needs, but continued using the site for distribution, warehousing and transportation.

The next phase came in February 2026, when the company filed a WARN notice announcing that all remaining operations at the facility would cease. PepsiCo said the shutdown would affect 248 employees and that distribution activities would move to a new facility elsewhere in the local community to better serve customers.

On June 6, 2026, the final distribution and warehouse operations officially ended, completing the site’s closure after more than five decades.

End of an era for the Inland Empire

The Rancho Cucamonga facility had long been one of Frito-Lay’s most recognizable locations, employing thousands of workers over the decades and playing a significant role in the region’s economy.

PepsiCo said affected employees would receive severance benefits and transition assistance as operations shifted to another nearby distribution center. The company has described the move as part of a broader effort to optimize its supply chain amid softer demand for snack foods and changing consumer preferences.

While the Frito-Lay brand will continue serving customers from other facilities, the closure of the Rancho Cucamonga site brings an end to a 55-year chapter in California’s food manufacturing history.

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