Anheuser-Busch is laying off hundreds of positions in its company after Bud Light lost its spot as the top-selling U.S. beer for a second consecutive month, according to multiple reports.
The company said Wednesday that less than 2% of its U.S. workforce will be laid off, Anheuser-Busch said in a statement to The Wall Street Journal and CNN. According to the company’s website, Anheuser-Busch says it employs “more than 19,000 employees nationwide,” which would mean roughly 380 positions or less being eliminated.
Anheuser-Busch has watched sales decline following a consumer boycott in response to Bud Light partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, which led to Mexican lager Modelo Especial decrowning the American-made beer as the top-selling beer in the U.S.
The beer company said front-line workers such as brewery and warehouse employees will not be impacted by the layoffs, the WSJ reported.
“While we never take these decisions lightly, we want to ensure that our organization continues to be set for future long-term success,” Anheuser-Busch Chief Executive Brendan Whitworth said in a written statement sent to the WSJ. “These corporate structure changes will enable our teams to focus on what we do best − brewing great beer for everyone.”
Previously:Bud Light loses its spot as top-selling US beer for second consecutive month
Bud Light boycott: When did it start?
In a video posted to Mulvaney’s Instagram, the influencer showed off a personalized Bud Light can as Mulvaney discussed the company’s $15,000 giveaway tied to March Madness.
The company was hit with weeks of backlash from conservative figures after the video was posted, including from musicians Kid Rock and Travis Tritt, who called for a boycott of the beer. Bud Light was also criticized by the LGBTQ+ community and allies for its response to the boycott.
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth responded to the boycott in April, saying the company aimed to bring “people together over a beer.”
“We never intended to be part of a discussion that divides people,” Whitworth said. “Moving forward, I will continue to work tirelessly to bring great beers to consumers across our nation.”
Earlier this month, Mulvaney said Bud Light did not reply when she reached out and called out Bud Light for its failure to publicly stand up for a transgender person.
“It gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want,” Mulvaney said. “And the hate doesn’t end with me. It has serious and grave consequences for the rest of our community. And we’re customers, too.”
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund and Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY
