Popular candy brand to slash nearly 20% of workforce at California facility

Ferrara Candy Company, the owner of Jelly Belly, is preparing to lay off dozens of workers at the candy brand’s Fairfield, California headquarters as food manufacturers continue restructuring operations amid shifting consumer demand and rising costs.

According to state filings, the company plans to eliminate 69 positions beginning in June 2026, with layoffs expected to continue in phases into early 2027. The cuts impact corporate-commercial roles tied to Jelly Belly’s Fairfield campus.

Corporate roles affected

The layoffs will affect departments including marketing, accounting, customer service, information technology, and web development. Ferrara said the reductions are part of broader operational changes within the company.

The Fairfield facility currently employs roughly 374 workers, meaning the layoffs represent close to 20% of the site’s workforce.

Despite the cuts, Ferrara is expected to continue manufacturing operations at the location. The company’s warehouse functions and popular Jelly Belly visitor center are also expected to remain open.

Jelly Belly has operated in Fairfield for decades and has become one of the region’s best-known food manufacturing brands, attracting tourists from across the country to its factory tours and retail store.

Food companies continue cost-cutting efforts

The layoffs come as food and beverage companies across the United States continue streamlining operations in response to inflation pressures, changing consumer spending habits, and slowing demand in some product categories.

Major companies including Nestlé, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Heineken have also announced layoffs or restructuring efforts in recent months.

Industry analysts say many food manufacturers are increasingly focusing investments on automation, supply chain efficiency, and faster-growing categories such as functional beverages, protein-focused products, and healthier snack options.

Ferrara has not announced any plans to close the Fairfield facility entirely, but the layoffs mark another sign of ongoing volatility within the broader food manufacturing sector in 2026.

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