PepsiCo Plants Roots in Riyadh: Inside the Bold New HQ in Saudi Arabia’s Financial District

There’s a new pulse beating in Riyadh’s skyline and it’s fizzing with a crisp and refreshing ambition. PepsiCo has just opened the doors to its shimmering new Middle East headquarters in Riyadh in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), marking its presence.

With bold glass walls, sleek design, and a future-forward agenda, the PepsiCo headquarters in Riyadh represents the brand’s cultural, strategic, and innovation anchor.

Here’s why it all matters for Riyadh, for the Saudi Vision 2030, and anyone watching the shift in the global business dynamics.

The King Abdullah Financial District – KAFD

Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District is no ordinary urban zone. It’s a buzzing financial hub, rapidly transforming into the Middle East’s version of Wall Street with an Arabesque soul. Surrounded by world-class architecture and home to global powerhouses, KAFD is the leading choice for multinationals.

PepsiCo choosing this location isn’t just strategic only as it signals Riyadh’s rising global stature and KSA’s laser-focused mission to attract foreign investment. The sleek, sustainable, and tech-integrated KAFD offers PepsiCo proximity to policymakers, decision-makers, and future shapers of the region.

Inside PepsiCo’s New HQ – Modern, Multicultural, & Middle East-Focused

PepsiCo has inaugurated its new Middle East regional headquarters in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), marking a strategic expansion of its operations. – (Credits: SPA) — PepsiCo has inaugurated its new Middle East regional headquarters in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). – (Credits: SPA)

Spread across 2,800 square meters, PepsiCo’s Riyadh HQ is a modern marvel designed to host over 150 employees and serve as the operational brain for its Middle East business. But this isn’t your average cubicle-filled office.

This space is collaborative, inclusive, and built with wellness and creativity in mind. Think: green architecture, innovation labs, shared working lounges, and cultural corners that pay homage to Saudi heritage and PepsiCo’s global flair. It reflects the dual identity of PepsiCo in the region, which is deeply local, proudly international.

“This new HQ represents our deep and lasting commitment to Saudi Arabia and its people,” said Eugene Willemsen, CEO of PepsiCo Africa, Middle East, and South Asia.”

The SAR 30 Million Game-Changer – A New R&D Center in the Pipeline

Alongside the HQ, PepsiCo also announced a SAR 30 million ($8 million) regional R&D center set to launch this year.

This research hub will focus on creating products tailored to the Middle Eastern palate: spicy, bold, and culturally attuned. Picture a culinary lab, a sensory studio, and teams of food scientists perfecting flavor profiles that celebrate local preferences.

The goal? Not just deliciousness but sustainability, innovation, and agility – products that are developed in Riyadh, made for the world.

PepsiCo & Vision 2030 – A Partnership That Fizzles with Potential

Saudi Arabia has a long and established relationship with Pepsi-Cola, stretching back over six decades. – (Credits: PepsiCo.)

It’s no coincidence that this expansion lines up with Saudi Vision 2030 which is the Kingdom’s master plan to diversify.

PepsiCo’s investment in Riyadh has been over SAR 9 billion in the last eight years that echoes the nation’s goals. The brand currently operates across 86 sites in Saudi Arabia and employs nearly 9,000 people (directly and via franchise partners).

But beyond numbers, PepsiCo is tapping into Saudi talent, forging agricultural partnerships, and introducing sustainable practices to manufacturing and distribution. It’s business, yes—but with heart, purpose, and cultural understanding.

The new headquarters will also serve as the home base for PepsiCo’s regional impact programs, including:

Tamakani: Empowering youth and women in the workforce.
MENA Innovates: Driving sustainable food and beverage innovation across the region.

PepsiCo is investing in people, potential, and progress. In a region where 70% of the population is under 30, it’s a wise and welcomed strategy.

Why Riyadh & KAFD?

Pepsi Middle East is making waves, combining culture, a lot of fizz, and a stronger taste. – (Credits: LinkedIn)

Riyadh is undergoing a renaissance. With its stunning mix of tradition and futurism, the Saudi capital is becoming irresistible to global companies, and PepsiCo is one of the first big players to step in!

But this is just the beginning. With the Public Investment Fund (PIF) driving giga-projects, and an influx of tech, finance, and lifestyle brands setting up shop, Riyadh is becoming the new center of gravity for innovation in the Middle East.

So, if you’re a business leader, investor, job seeker, or wanderluster with a knack for corporate modernism, keep your eye on Riyadh! This is where things are happening, and PepsiCo’s HQ is proof.

The Takeaway – PepsiCo Has Made Its Move & It’s a Big One

PepsiCo has said it plans to open a research and development facility in Saudi Arabia focused on developing new products. (Credits: PepsiCo middle east)

To sum it up? PepsiCo didn’t just build an office in Riyadh. It planted a vision, brewed with local flavor, stirred by innovation, and served with global ambition.

In the grand chessboard of Middle East business, this headquarters is a queen’s move, and it’s bold, decisive, and future-forward. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for inspiration, a student dreaming of global careers, or a local; this PepsiCo chapter is one to watch!

Riyadh is rising. KAFD is buzzing. And PepsiCo? They just turned up the volume.

Read more on PepsiCo’s official Middle East site or visit KAFD’s website to explore Riyadh’s new era of business brilliance.

FAQs

Why did PepsiCo choose Riyadh for its new headquarters?
PepsiCo selected Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) due to its strategic location and state-of-the-art infrastructure. The city is rapidly becoming a global business hub, making it ideal for PepsiCo’s Middle East operations.

What makes PepsiCo’s new HQ in Riyadh unique?
The new PepsiCo headquarters spans 2,800 square meters, designed with sustainability, innovation, and collaboration in mind. It features wellness-focused architecture, culturally inspired design, and tech-integrated workspaces to support over 150 employees.

Is PepsiCo investing further in Saudi Arabia beyond the new HQ?
Yes. In addition to the HQ, PepsiCo is launching an SAR 30 million ($8 million) regional R&D center in Riyadh, focusing on product innovation in KSA. The brand has invested over SAR 9 billion in the Kingdom since 2015.

How does PepsiCo’s expansion support Vision 2030?
PepsiCo’s growth in Saudi Arabia supports Vision 2030 by creating local jobs, developing youth and women through initiatives like Tamakani. It also plans to contribute to sustainable food systems and agricultural development across the Kingdom.