Swiss food giant Nestle faces pressure to streamline its operations after firing CEO Laurent Freixe for misconduct. Sales growth has stalled, shares dropped 40%, and debt levels surpassed rivals. New CEO Philipp Navratil aims to drive growth by simplifying operations and focusing on key brands like KitKat and Nescafe.

Investors and analysts are urging Nestle to become leaner and more efficient in a tough consumer market. The company is considering selling off underperforming brands and divisions, following the lead of rivals like Kraft Heinz and PepsiCo. Size alone is no longer a guarantee of success in the food industry.

Competition is increasing as consumers seek cheaper options, prompting companies like Keurig Dr Pepper and Unilever to restructure. Nestle’s sales have dipped, leading analysts to call for a portfolio review and potential headquarter restructuring. If new CEO Navratil fails to deliver results, the pressure for a company breakup may intensify.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Analysis-Nestle CEO shake-up overshadows broader malaise