Press Release – Unified Solutions America -PepsiCo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Unified Solutions America Responds to PepsiCo’s Strategic Shift, Warns of the High Cost of Mission Drift

As beverage giant restructures DEI efforts amid plant closures and stock decline, USA advocates for a return to core business principles and a “Hire American” strategy.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – [Date] – Unified Solutions America (USA), a leading advocate for common-sense corporate governance and national economic strength, today commented on the strategic decisions by PepsiCo, which included phasing out its Chief Global DEI Officer role amidst significant operational challenges and shareholder dissatisfaction.

This shift, outlined in a memo from CEO Ramon Laguarta and branded as a new “Inclusion for Growth” strategy, follows a period of notable financial and operational strain for the company. In the recent past, PepsiCo announced the closure of its Frito-Lay plant in Liberty, NY, resulting in 300 layoffs, and has pursued broader consolidation efforts to cut costs. This comes as the company’s North American beverage division reported a 2% sales drop and its stock has fallen approximately 18% over the past year.

“PepsiCo’s restructuring is a clear admission that a top-down, bureaucratic approach to DEI failed to deliver on its promises,” said Professor Wilfred Riley, co-founder of Unified Solutions America. “While the company was focused on virtue-signaling and internal initiatives, it lost sight of its mission to create the best snacks and beverages, period. The plant closures and stock decline are not coincidental; they are the direct result of taking their eye off the ball. This should serve as a stark warning to every corporation that prioritizes social fads over operational excellence.”

The company’s challenges attracted the attention of activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which took a $4 billion stake in PepsiCo, signaling a demand for substantial change to reverse the company’s fortunes and deliver value to shareholders.

Brooks Crenshaw, CEO of Unified Solutions America, stated, “PepsiCo’s experience is a textbook case of what happens when a company succumbs to consultant-driven groupthink. America’s greatness is built on its inherent diversity and its relentless pursuit of excellence. We don’t need corporate mandates to teach us what we already live. The most effective strategy for success is simplicity itself: hire the most talented and capable people, empower them to innovate, and focus relentlessly on your product and your customer. In the United States. The only DEI companies in America should consider is the ‘Hire American’ principle. It’s not just patriotic; it’s the most profitable path forward.”

Unified Solutions America believes that corporations thrive when they embrace the nation’s inherent strengths rather than following divisive and costly external trends. The organization urges all corporate leaders to learn from PepsiCo’s example and refocus on their core mission, vision, and the unparalleled talent of the American workforce.

About Unified Solutions America:
Unified Solutions America (USA) is dedicated to promoting policies and business strategies that strengthen American economic independence, national security, and cultural cohesion. We believe in the power of American innovation, the importance of secure borders, and the value of a unified national identity. Our work supports leaders and citizens who are committed to preserving the principles that made America the most exceptional nation in the world. For more information, visit www.UnifiedSolutionsAmerica.com.