KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Pepsi plans to close its Knoxville bottling facility, a move that will leave 112 employees without jobs, according to a WARN notice provided to WVLT News.
The notice, dated Oct. 19, was sent to state officials and Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon. In the letter, Pepsi said employees were informed of the closure on Monday, the same day the notice was issued.
The company said affected workers are expected to receive a paid notice period through Jan. 1. The transition package includes continued pay, benefits and access to employment and career transition resources as employees seek new opportunities.
The facility slated for closure is located at 2708 Federal Road in South Knoxville.
In a statement, Pepsi described the decision as a difficult one.
“We are incredibly thankful for the contributions of our employees and the support of the community,” the company said.
The closure marks a significant loss for the local workforce, with more than 100 employees impacted by the shutdown. The company has not publicly announced what will happen to the facility after operations cease.
Additional details regarding the timeline for winding down operations or whether affected employees will have opportunities at other Pepsi locations have not yet been released.
The WARN notice process is intended to give workers advance notice of major layoffs or plant closures, allowing time to prepare for employment transitions and seek assistance.
