Where We Work
PepsiCo in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
For over six decades, PepsiCo and its franchise partners have been trusted partners in the UAE, providing iconic snacks and beverages that have brought smiles to millions. From Pepsi and Lay’s to Aquafina and Quaker, our diverse portfolio has catered to evolving consumer needs while championing innovation, sustainability, and community engagement.
A Strong Partnership with the UAE
Since entering the market in 1962, PepsiCo has grown alongside the UAE, aligning with national initiatives and celebrating key milestones that shape the nation’s identity.
Our partnerships with Dubai Refreshment Company (DRC) and Abu Dhabi Refreshment Company (ADRC) ensure our products are accessible across the Emirates, supported by a robust network of five warehouses and two franchise manufacturing facilities.
PepsiCo also collaborates with the Museum of the Future in Dubai to highlight groundbreaking innovations in sustainable food systems, inspiring future change-makers and driving lasting impact.
Committed to fostering inclusivity, PepsiCo has also partnered with Heroes of Hope to support adaptive sports initiatives in the UAE. This collaboration enhances access to sports for people of determination by introducing wheelchair sports programs, providing specialized equipment for training and competitions, and promoting empowerment through athletics.
Quick Facts
- Top Brands: Pepsi, Lay’s, Aquafina, Quaker, Gatorade, Doritos, Sunbites, and more.
- Employees: Over 2,000 across offices and facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Umm Al Quwain, Al Ain, and Fujairah.
- Sustainability Impact: Solar power projects and climate-focused initiatives drive PepsiCo’s commitment to a greener future, creating smiles along the way.
Driving National Goals
PepsiCo is deeply committed to advancing the UAE’s vision, particularly in sustainability, innovation, and talent development.
Investing in Innovation
PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator, launched in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change in 2021, aimed to support innovative startups tackling sustainability challenges in the MENA region. In its inaugural edition, the program reviewed 75 applications within the circular economy space, selecting 10 startups as finalists. These startups benefited from non-equity seed funding and six months of mentorship. The program’s impact extended beyond its initial scope, as three top startups piloted their projects in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. The winning startup, Nadeera Technologies, joined PepsiCo’s team to scale its innovative waste management solutions across the UAE, Lebanon, and KSA. Nadeera’s platform, Yalla Return, integrates technology into waste management, incentivizing individuals to recycle by offering cash rewards for recyclables.
The second edition of PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator in 2023 focused on sustainable agriculture and attracted 180 applications from across MENA, including Morocco and Oman. This edition saw enhanced support through partnerships with external experts, including IFFCO in the UAE, an irrigation and energy specialist, and the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP). Dooda Solutions, a women-led earthworm farm producing premium-grade vermicompost at a commercial scale, emerged as the winner. The program continued to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability by empowering startups with mentorship and strategic partnerships.
Evolving into the Mega Green Accelerator, this initiative was co-founded by PepsiCo and SABIC to nurture early-stage, climate-focused innovators addressing regional sustainability challenges. The program responds to the fragmented ecosystem in the region by providing startups with access to funding, networks, and supply chains necessary to pilot and scale their solutions. Through seed funding, mentorship, and connections to prominent business leaders, the Mega Green Accelerator bridges the gap between private sector stakeholders and innovators, fostering an ecosystem of collaboration and innovation.
Launched formally in 2023 with PepsiCo, SABIC, AstroLabs, and 11 other strategic partners, the first edition of the Mega Green Accelerator attracted over 350 submissions. Eight selected startups participated in a six-month program featuring training, workshops, mentorship, and opportunities to network with investors and scale their businesses. The program culminated in an industry Demo Day in Riyadh, where startups showcased solutions addressing food security, clean energy, and the circular economy. Viridia Tech, an Egypt-based startup, won the 2024 Mega Green Accelerator for its innovative contributions, demonstrating the program’s ongoing impact on sustainability and entrepreneurship in the MENA region.
PepsiCo Positive (pep+):
PepsiCo recognizes its responsibility to protect resources and reduce environmental impacts. Highlights of our sustainability efforts include:
- Solar Power Leadership: Inaugurated a 45,000-square-meter solar plant at the DRC facility in Dubai Investment Park, with a production capacity of 3.7 megawatts, reducing CO₂ emissions by 4 million kilograms annually.
- Positive Choices: Continuously transforming our product offerings to provide more nutritious and sustainable options for consumers in the UAE.
Circular Packaging Association
PepsiCo is a proud founding member of the UAE’s Circular Packaging Association, a collaborative initiative dedicated to advancing packaging sustainability and fostering a circular economy for post-consumer packaging materials. The association plays a critical role in aligning industry efforts with the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy, which was introduced in January 2021. Its primary objectives include contributing to the implementation of this policy by providing expert consultation and advice to government bodies, assisting in the development of policies and regulatory frameworks at both federal and local levels.
The association seeks to transition from a linear waste system to one that integrates circular and green economy principles. This transformation positions post-consumer packaging waste as a valuable resource, encouraging sustainable practices across the industry. Additionally, the association prioritizes consumer engagement by promoting awareness and education on the circular use of multi-material packaging. These efforts aim to inspire behavioral changes toward more sustainable consumer choices, ultimately benefiting the UAE’s environment and safeguarding its natural resources for future generations.
Advancing PET Collection Through Partnerships
PepsiCo has forged multiple partnerships in recent years to enhance PET collection alongside other recyclables, prioritizing initiatives that are consumer-facing, scalable, and impactful in driving change.
Yalla Return x Carrefour
In collaboration with the seven members of the Circular Packaging Association (CPA), including PepsiCo, a PET collection initiative was launched in Abu Dhabi at Carrefour, a leading UAE retailer. This project aligns with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s (EAD) vision to implement a bottle return scheme. Managed by Nadeera, a smart bin was introduced at Carrefour, providing a convenient recycling solution.
Yalla Return x Talabat
PepsiCo also partnered with Talabat and Yalla Return to implement a recycling solution across five residential communities in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) and Sobha Hartlands, reaching 1,578 residential units. This initiative incorporates gamification through a mobile app and smart bins, incentivizing recycling with redeemable points for cash or Talabat vouchers. The program further promotes sustainable behaviors through door-to-door awareness campaigns and feedback on waste sorting, fostering a deeper connection between consumers and circular economic practices.
Bee’ah Partnership
Since 2021, PepsiCo has collaborated with Bee’ah to recycle the equivalent of 100% of the Aquafina plastic packaging produced in the UAE. Utilizing Bee’ah’s expansive collection infrastructure — Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs), bins, and apps—the partnership supports PET collection and segregation efforts across Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, significantly contributing to PepsiCo’s sustainability agenda.
Educational and Capacity-Building Partnerships
As part of PepsiCo’s strategy of leveraging education and partnerships to create long-lasting change, we are collaborating with the Posterity Institute on key initiatives, including the 7x7 Habits Program and the MEA Sustainability Institute (MEASI), to foster sustainability, innovation, and leadership.
7x7 Habits Program
The 7x7 Sustainable Habits Program, designed by the Posterity Institute and powered by PepsiCo, is an educational initiative for K-12 students across the Arab world aiming to foster sustainable habits through structured and engaging activities. By instilling sustainable habits in students, the program seeks to create a generation of environmentally conscious individuals, termed “sustainability superheroes,” who can positively contribute to their communities and the planet. The pilot program will launch at ADNOC schools.
Arab Government Fellowship
PepsiCo, as a strategic partner of the Middle East and Africa Sustainability Institute (MEASI), will support government executive education programs. These programs, modeled on the Masterclass framework, will offer online courses for Middle East and Africa government officials. The courses will cover topics such as sustainable governance, green finance, renewable energy technologies, and biodiversity conservation. The partnership aims to upskill government employees, fostering sustainable development across the region.
A Future Aligned with the UAE
PepsiCo remains committed to driving impactful change in alignment with national priorities such as the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy and Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050. We are proud to continue investing in the UAE’s growth, from promoting sustainable practices to celebrating cultural milestones.
