100 years, zero layoffs: Torani’s recipe for people-first success

In an industry often marked by volatility and turnover, Torani’s legacy stands out like a splash of raspberry in your cold brew: bold, unexpected, and full of heart. As the beloved syrup company celebrates 100 years of business, they’re also celebrating something even rarer—100 years without a single layoff.

Yes, you read that right.

Torani has never laid off an employee in its century-long history. That’s not just a bullet point in a press release. It’s a reflection of a deeply embedded people-first philosophy that’s baked into the company culture, right alongside vanilla bean and caramel swirl.

How did they achieve this?

In a recent article, General Manager, International Stacy Cooper Dent said, “We put people first in every decision. The fact that we’ve been able to be 100 years old without ever having a layoff shows that there is a connection between good business and caring deeply for people.”

That connection shows up in more than just job stability. It’s woven into their hiring strategy, community partnerships, and proactive workforce development. Torani’s expansion to San Leandro, for instance, wasn’t just a real estate play. It was a deliberate effort to stay close to their existing employee base, maintain community ties, and grow in a way that felt aligned with their values.

Sales dropped, but employees didn’t

Even the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t shake that foundation. When sales dropped by 50%, Torani’s leadership didn’t start drafting layoff notices, they started doing math. “How do we do these financials so that we make sure every single person keeps their job?” That’s the kind of conversation that defines a company’s character.

And it’s paying off: the company now has 400 employees across 600,000 square feet of space, single-digit turnover, and talent pipelines through local colleges, universities, and non-profits. Programs like Career Mixology and partnerships with East Bay Innovations demonstrate Torani’s commitment to both internal mobility and community impact.

In true Torani fashion, even their anniversary flavor “Diamond Syrup” is about people. Every dollar of the vanilla-champagne blend supports nonprofits that create first jobs across the country. That’s a sweet way to scale social impact.

What companies can learn from Torani

Torani is a masterclass in how culture, data, and intentionality can drive sustainable growth. At WorkStep, we believe every organization has the potential to adopt a version of this philosophy.

Here’s how:

• Listen continuously: You can’t support your people if you don’t know what they need. Platforms like WorkStep provide always-on listening through real-time, SMS-delivered surveys that meet employees where they are.
• Act proactively: Torani didn’t wait for disengagement to show up in metrics, they created programs that made people feel valued. With WorkStep, leaders can use predictive insights to identify risks and take local, targeted action.
• Close the loop: Transparency builds trust. When employees see that their feedback leads to real change, they stay longer and work harder. WorkStep enables this kind of follow-through at scale.

Torani is proof that running a successful business and putting people first aren’t at odds, they actually go hand in hand. When you lead with your people, strong performance naturally follows.