On February 11, 2026, the world’s second-largest brewer, Heineken, announced plans to cut between 5,000 and 6,000 jobs globally over the next two years. The move comes as the Dutch brewing giant grapples with a persistent slump in beer demand across its major markets, particularly in Europe and the Americas.
The layoffs represent nearly 7% of its total workforce of 87,000 and are part of a broader “productivity drive” aimed at saving up to €500 million annually.
Why is Heineken Slashing Jobs?
The decision follows a challenging 2025 where the company saw a 2.4% drop in total beer volumes. Several factors have converged to create a “perfect storm” for the brewer:
- Strained Consumer Budgets: Inflation and high living costs have led consumers in Europe and the US to cut back on alcohol consumption or switch to cheaper alternatives.
- Health Trends: A rising global focus on wellness and the increasing popularity of weight-loss drugs (like GLP-1s) have contributed to a long-term decline in traditional beer sales.
- Geopolitical & Weather Factors: The company cited “geopolitical turbulence” and unseasonable bad weather in key regions as additional drags on its 2025 performance.
Financial Performance & 2026 Outlook
Despite the job cuts, Heineken’s 2025 financial results were a mixed bag. While volumes fell, the company managed to beat profit expectations through aggressive pricing.
| Metric | Full-Year 2025 | vs. 2024 |
| Organic Operating Profit | ₹(Growth of 4.4%) | Beat Analyst Expectations (4%) |
| Total Revenue | €34.4 Billion | Down from €36.0 Billion |
| Net Profit | €1.9 Billion | Solid but moderated |
| 2026 Profit Guidance | 2% to 6% | Lowered (from 4%-8% prev.) |
Structural Changes: The “EverGreen 2030” Strategy
The layoffs are the latest step in CEO Dolf van den Brink’s “EverGreen” strategy, which aims to simplify the company’s complex global structure.
- Centralization: About 3,000 roles will be transitioned to Heineken Business Services, a centralized unit designed to handle backend tasks for over 70 markets.
- Amsterdam HQ Hits: The global headquarters in Amsterdam will see roughly 400 roles (25% of its staff) cut or relocated starting this year.
- Regional Simplification: Europe will move to a “multi-market operating company” (MMO) model within the next six months to reduce management layers.
Leadership Transition
The restructuring coincides with a period of leadership uncertainty. CEO Dolf van den Brink announced in January 2026 that he would be stepping down on May 31 after six years at the helm. The search for a successor is currently underway, with investors looking for a leader who can prioritize efficiency and digital transformation.
[Image: Heineken beer volume decline by region: Europe (-4.1%) vs Americas (-3.5%)]
What it means for the Stock
Interestingly, Heineken’s shares jumped over 11% in Amsterdam following the news. Investors appear to be applauding the company’s “cost intervention” and its ability to protect margins through pricing, even as the volume of beer sold continues to shrink.
