Varun Beverages launches $20 million Cheetos factory in Zimbabwe

Varun Beverages Zimbabwe, a key PepsiCo bottling and franchise partner and one of its largest operations outside the United States, has opened a $20 million Cheetos manufacturing plant in Harare.

The project marks a shift toward local food production as the company expands beyond beverage bottling into snacks manufacturing. 

The plant was inaugurated by Zimbabwe President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, reflecting the government’s focus on industrial growth, import substitution and building domestic value chains.

Officials say the investment supports efforts to expand local manufacturing and reduce reliance on imported packaged foods. 

The facility will produce Cheetos locally for the first time in Zimbabwe, broadening access to one of PepsiCo’s most recognized snack brands across Southern Africa.

From imports to local production 

Varun Beverages previously supplied Zimbabwe’s snacks market through imported PepsiCo brands, including Lay’s, Doritos and Cheetos.

The new facility shifts production to Harare, reducing import dependence and strengthening local supply chains. 

The company said it also expects deeper integration with local agriculture, particularly maize sourcing from Zimbabwean farmers, a key input in snack production.

The move aligns with government efforts to retain more value within the domestic economy.

Expansion across food and beverage operations 

The plant introduces Cheetos in five flavors, two shapes and 20 stock-keeping units, adding to the company’s existing PepsiCo product range in Zimbabwe.

It also forms part of a broader expansion that includes a planned juice and dairy blending facility on the same site. 

Together, the projects represent about $40 million in investment, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s role as a growing manufacturing hub in the region. 

Since entering Zimbabwe eight years ago, Varun Beverages has expanded from a single production line producing 10 million bottles monthly to six lines with capacity of about 120 million bottles.

It now employs about 2,000 people directly and supports more than 13,000 indirect jobs.

Long-term investment plan 

Chairman Ravi Jaipuria said Zimbabwe remains central to the company’s Africa strategy.

He also outlined a five-year investment plan worth $650 million covering recycling, beverage production and energy projects. 

The company is also expanding renewable energy plans from 500 megawatts to as much as one gigawatt of solar capacity following discussions with government officials.