Baskin-Robbins Lays Off 15% of Work Force

Citing the sluggish economy, Baskin-Robbins International Co., the nation’s biggest ice-cream chain, said it laid off about 150 workers, or 15% of its nationwide work force of 1,000 people.

The Glendale-based company, owned by Allied-Lyons PLC of Great Britain, took the action last week “simply because of the impact of our economy,” spokeswoman Marilyn Novak said. The reduction included jobs at corporate headquarters and field offices nationwide. The cuts did not affect any of the company’s 2,300 franchises, she said.

Novak said the company had a profitable year. But, she said, “we feel it’s essential to take this action at this time to ensure we can continue in this trend.”