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Indian American CEO Ram Krishnan in spotlight as PepsiCo announces 1,000 layoffs
Nov 11, 2026
📍 Phliadelphia,PA, USA
PepsiCo is preparing to eliminate approximately 1,000 positions across its North American operations as the global food and beverage company works to address declining sales and improve its business performance. The planned workforce reduction is part of a wider restructuring strategy aimed at simplifying operations, improving coordination and creating a more efficient organizational structure.
The announcement has brought attention to Indian American executive Ram Krishnan, chief executive officer of PepsiCo North America, who is leading the company's efforts to strengthen its performance in the region. The job reductions are expected to take place over the coming week as the company moves forward with its operational changes.
Krishnan communicated the restructuring plans to employees through an internal letter sent on Monday, according to a report by CNBC. He outlined the company's ambition to build a stronger and more adaptable North American business while maintaining investments in its employees, capabilities and major brands.
In his message, Krishnan emphasized the need for faster decision-making, stronger connections between teams and improved operational capabilities. He indicated that the changes were intended to position PepsiCo for sustainable growth while making its business structure more responsive to changing market conditions.
PepsiCo's restructuring comes as the company faces pressure to revive demand across its major North American food and beverage categories. The company employs approximately 306,000 people worldwide, including around 125,000 employees in the United States, according to its December 27, 2025, corporate filing.
The workforce reduction follows a challenging financial period in which PepsiCo revised its full-year earnings expectations in October. Its latest results showed weaker demand in key North American businesses, highlighting the difficulties the company faces in attracting consumers amid changing spending habits and competitive market conditions.
During the third quarter, PepsiCo's North American beverage division recorded a 2% decline in sales volume, while its North American food business reported no volume growth. These results have increased the importance of improving product performance, pricing strategies and consumer engagement.
The company has already introduced several measures to encourage purchases, including lowering prices on selected products and increasing marketing investments. However, the recovery has progressed more slowly than anticipated. Chief Financial Officer Steve Schmitt acknowledged the challenges during the company's earnings discussion, indicating that restoring growth would require continued efforts.
Investor expectations have added another layer of pressure on PepsiCo's management. Activist investment firm Elliott Investment Management acquired an approximately $4 billion stake in the company a year earlier, increasing attention on its operational performance, cost management and plans to generate stronger returns.
Despite the announcement of the job cuts, PepsiCo shares recorded a slight increase on Monday. However, the company's stock had declined nearly 1% since the beginning of the year, compared with an approximately 11% gain in the S&P 500 over the same period.
**Who is Ram Krishnan?**
Ram Krishnan has become a prominent figure in PepsiCo's North American restructuring as the executive responsible for overseeing the company's food and beverage operations across the United States and Canada. He assumed the position of CEO of PepsiCo North America in December 2025 after previously leading the company's U.S. beverage division.
His current responsibilities include improving coordination between the food and beverage businesses, strengthening brand performance and identifying opportunities to increase sales. The restructuring represents an important part of his efforts to make the company's North American operations more efficient and competitive.
Krishnan joined PepsiCo in 2006 and has developed a nearly two-decade career within the organization. During this period, he has held several senior management positions across different geographical markets and business divisions, gaining experience in marketing, commercial operations and international business development.
Before taking charge of the North American business, he served as CEO of PepsiCo Beverages US, where he managed the company's beverage portfolio and its Global Away From Home operations. His responsibilities covered several established and emerging brands, including Pepsi, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Poppi, Propel, Starbucks and Lipton.
His professional experience also includes leadership responsibilities across international markets. Krishnan previously served as CEO of PepsiCo's Asia Pacific, Australia/New Zealand and China region, overseeing operations across multiple countries with different consumer preferences and business conditions.
He also led PepsiCo's global Walmart customer team and served as chief marketing officer of Frito-Lay North America. These positions provided him with experience in retail partnerships, brand development, customer relationships and the company's snack food operations.
Before joining PepsiCo, Krishnan spent six years working with General Motors' Cadillac division. His career has included recognition for contributions to product innovation and advertising, and he also serves on the board of directors of Tractor Supply Company.
Krishnan holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, along with bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering. His educational background and experience across multiple industries have contributed to his career in corporate leadership.
As PepsiCo continues to reorganize its North American operations, Krishnan faces the challenge of balancing workforce changes and cost reduction with investments in innovation, marketing and established consumer brands. The company's ability to restore demand and improve operational efficiency will be important in determining the success of its turnaround strategy.
The planned layoffs mark another significant development in PepsiCo's efforts to adapt to changing consumer behavior and competitive pressures. With its North American business undergoing restructuring, the company will be looking to establish a more streamlined operating model while rebuilding growth across its food and beverage portfolio.
The announcement has brought attention to Indian American executive Ram Krishnan, chief executive officer of PepsiCo North America, who is leading the company's efforts to strengthen its performance in the region. The job reductions are expected to take place over the coming week as the company moves forward with its operational changes.
Krishnan communicated the restructuring plans to employees through an internal letter sent on Monday, according to a report by CNBC. He outlined the company's ambition to build a stronger and more adaptable North American business while maintaining investments in its employees, capabilities and major brands.
In his message, Krishnan emphasized the need for faster decision-making, stronger connections between teams and improved operational capabilities. He indicated that the changes were intended to position PepsiCo for sustainable growth while making its business structure more responsive to changing market conditions.
PepsiCo's restructuring comes as the company faces pressure to revive demand across its major North American food and beverage categories. The company employs approximately 306,000 people worldwide, including around 125,000 employees in the United States, according to its December 27, 2025, corporate filing.
The workforce reduction follows a challenging financial period in which PepsiCo revised its full-year earnings expectations in October. Its latest results showed weaker demand in key North American businesses, highlighting the difficulties the company faces in attracting consumers amid changing spending habits and competitive market conditions.
During the third quarter, PepsiCo's North American beverage division recorded a 2% decline in sales volume, while its North American food business reported no volume growth. These results have increased the importance of improving product performance, pricing strategies and consumer engagement.
The company has already introduced several measures to encourage purchases, including lowering prices on selected products and increasing marketing investments. However, the recovery has progressed more slowly than anticipated. Chief Financial Officer Steve Schmitt acknowledged the challenges during the company's earnings discussion, indicating that restoring growth would require continued efforts.
Investor expectations have added another layer of pressure on PepsiCo's management. Activist investment firm Elliott Investment Management acquired an approximately $4 billion stake in the company a year earlier, increasing attention on its operational performance, cost management and plans to generate stronger returns.
Despite the announcement of the job cuts, PepsiCo shares recorded a slight increase on Monday. However, the company's stock had declined nearly 1% since the beginning of the year, compared with an approximately 11% gain in the S&P 500 over the same period.
**Who is Ram Krishnan?**
Ram Krishnan has become a prominent figure in PepsiCo's North American restructuring as the executive responsible for overseeing the company's food and beverage operations across the United States and Canada. He assumed the position of CEO of PepsiCo North America in December 2025 after previously leading the company's U.S. beverage division.
His current responsibilities include improving coordination between the food and beverage businesses, strengthening brand performance and identifying opportunities to increase sales. The restructuring represents an important part of his efforts to make the company's North American operations more efficient and competitive.
Krishnan joined PepsiCo in 2006 and has developed a nearly two-decade career within the organization. During this period, he has held several senior management positions across different geographical markets and business divisions, gaining experience in marketing, commercial operations and international business development.
Before taking charge of the North American business, he served as CEO of PepsiCo Beverages US, where he managed the company's beverage portfolio and its Global Away From Home operations. His responsibilities covered several established and emerging brands, including Pepsi, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Poppi, Propel, Starbucks and Lipton.
His professional experience also includes leadership responsibilities across international markets. Krishnan previously served as CEO of PepsiCo's Asia Pacific, Australia/New Zealand and China region, overseeing operations across multiple countries with different consumer preferences and business conditions.
He also led PepsiCo's global Walmart customer team and served as chief marketing officer of Frito-Lay North America. These positions provided him with experience in retail partnerships, brand development, customer relationships and the company's snack food operations.
Before joining PepsiCo, Krishnan spent six years working with General Motors' Cadillac division. His career has included recognition for contributions to product innovation and advertising, and he also serves on the board of directors of Tractor Supply Company.
Krishnan holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, along with bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering. His educational background and experience across multiple industries have contributed to his career in corporate leadership.
As PepsiCo continues to reorganize its North American operations, Krishnan faces the challenge of balancing workforce changes and cost reduction with investments in innovation, marketing and established consumer brands. The company's ability to restore demand and improve operational efficiency will be important in determining the success of its turnaround strategy.
The planned layoffs mark another significant development in PepsiCo's efforts to adapt to changing consumer behavior and competitive pressures. With its North American business undergoing restructuring, the company will be looking to establish a more streamlined operating model while rebuilding growth across its food and beverage portfolio.
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