Birthplace of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Frito-Lay’s Rancho Cucamonga plant has shut down production after 55 years, leaving workers scrambling as California loses another manufacturing facility.
Key Takeaways
- The Rancho Cucamonga manufacturing plant closed its production line on June 9, 2025, after 55 years of operation
- This historic facility was the birthplace of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, first produced there in 1991
- Employees have produced their final batches of popular snacks including Cheetos, Tostitos, Doritos, and Funyuns
- PepsiCo Foods U.S., Frito-Lay’s parent company, confirmed the closure on June 11 while expressing gratitude to the local community
- The closure represents another manufacturing loss for California’s already struggling industrial sector
End of an Era for Iconic Snack Production
Frito-Lay has permanently closed its manufacturing operations at its Rancho Cucamonga plant after over five decades of producing America’s favorite snacks. The facility, which had been operational since 1970, ceased production on June 9, 2025, marking the end of an era for both the company and the local community. This plant holds special significance in American snack history as the birthplace of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, which were first created there in 1991 and went on to become one of the company’s most successful products. Workers were informed that they had produced their final batches of Cheetos, Tostitos, Doritos, and Funyuns at this location.
The closure was officially confirmed by PepsiCo Foods U.S., Frito-Lay’s parent company, on June 11. In their announcement, the company emphasized their appreciation for the manufacturing team and the local community that had supported operations for more than 50 years. While manufacturing operations have ceased, the company has indicated that some operations at the facility will continue, including distribution and fleet management. This partial continuation offers little consolation to the manufacturing workers who have lost their positions at a time when California continues to see an exodus of manufacturing jobs.
Impact on Local Economy and Workers
The closure of Frito-Lay’s manufacturing operations represents another significant blow to California’s industrial sector, which has been struggling under President Trump’s administration to reverse years of declining manufacturing presence in the state. The Rancho Cucamonga facility employed a substantial number of workers who now face an uncertain future despite the company’s promises to provide continued payment and benefits for an unspecified transition period. This closure follows a troubling pattern of manufacturing losses in California, where high operating costs, stringent regulations, and unfavorable business conditions have driven many companies to relocate to more business-friendly states.
Local economic experts point to California’s hostile business environment as a likely factor in Frito-Lay’s decision. The state’s high taxes, energy costs, and regulatory burdens have created significant challenges for manufacturing operations to remain profitable. While the company has not explicitly stated these factors as reasons for the closure, the timing aligns with broader trends of businesses seeking more economically viable locations. The loss of these manufacturing jobs will have ripple effects throughout the local economy, impacting suppliers, service providers, and retail businesses that depended on the plant’s workers as customers.
Legacy of the Facility
The Rancho Cucamonga plant leaves behind a significant legacy in America’s snack food history. For 55 years, it produced some of the nation’s most beloved snack foods, but perhaps its greatest contribution was the development of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. The spicy snack, which has achieved cult status and generated billions in revenue for Frito-Lay, was first produced at this facility in 1991. The product’s creation story, which involves a janitor at the plant who suggested the spicy flavor profile, has become part of American business folklore and was even adapted into a feature film, highlighting the cultural significance of both the product and the facility.
As the machinery at the Rancho Cucamonga plant falls silent after more than five decades, the closure stands as another reminder of California’s declining manufacturing sector. While some operations will continue at the facility, the end of production marks a significant change for a community that has been intertwined with Frito-Lay for generations. The company’s snack foods will continue to be produced at other facilities across the country, but for Rancho Cucamonga, the closure represents the end of an important chapter in the city’s industrial history and economic landscape.
