As 570,000 workers watched their jobs get culled this year, Torani CEO says ‘layoffs are a choice’—and that her company has never cut workers en masse

As 570,000 workers faced job cuts this year, Torani CEO Melanie Dulbecco asserted that layoffs are a deliberate choice and not an unavoidable necessity. Speaking to Business Insider, Dulbecco emphasized that layoffs should not be an automatic response to financial challenges. "It's very easy for us to say layoffs are not our approach," she stated.

"I think layoffs are a choice." The 101-year-old syrup manufacturer prioritized job preservation, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. To avoid layoffs, the company minimized other expenses, such as marketing and travel, during the crisis. By focusing on teamwork and long-term growth, Torani weathered the pandemic and experienced a 15% revenue increase in 2020.

The company has maintained a history of job growth, with no layoffs in its 101-year existence. This strategy stands in contrast to the 573,195 job cuts announced by U.S. employers in the first nine months of 2025. Despite the economic uncertainty caused by factors like high energy costs, geopolitical tensions, and potential rate hikes, Dulbecco believes that investing in employees is crucial for long-term success.