Coke versus Pepsi
PepsiCo bought KFC in 1986 as part of an expansion into food that also included ownership of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. However, the drink company spun off its food brands into what is now Yum Brands in 1997. KFC offered Coca-Cola products before the sale. “Most of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s outlets serve Coke products from their fountains, but Pepsico will immediately switch the 1,800 company-owned restaurants to its own beverages and will make a big push to get the franchised outlets to switch as well,” according to a 1986 New York Times article about the deal. Now, the brand is finally returning to Coca-Cola. PepsiCo, however, will keep serving Taco Bell, the beverage giant confirmed, as well as “many” international KFC markets. That piece of the news was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
KFC is not alone. A number of companies have recently announced their plans to switch from Pepsi to Coke. The last couple years have seen Costco’s food court, Marriott International hotels, and even the Indianapolis Motor Speedway ditch PepsiCo in favor of Coca-Cola. It’s not all heartbreak for PepsiCo, though, with Subway starting a 10-year deal with the brand in January 2025. The fast food chain had previously offered Coca-Cola products for 20 years. Dr Pepper took the No 2 spot behind Coca-Cola last year. But the latest US sales figures don’t tell the whole story. Dr Pepper was pleased. Executives praised its innovations in spicyflavor and its appeal to the coveted gen Z demographic, which favors more unusual flavors in its soft drinks. Pepsi was not so pleased – or at least the company declined to issue a public statement.
PepsiCo’s holdings are vast, and less than half its brands are liquids. More than half its profits come from the Frito-Lay snacks division. “It’s hard to deduce the business model, only the effects,” said Quint. “But Pepsi can afford to say: ‘Given changing consumer tastes, we’re going to spend more ad money on snacks than on Pepsi as a brand.’” So what happens next? Are the cola wars really over? According to Mintel, despite the rise of spicy and fruity sodas, cola is still holding on as the top soda flavor. When you take Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar and other offshoots into account, Pepsi is still the No 2 soda, behind Coke. Besides, the taste of Dr Pepper is too distinctive to mount anything comparable to the old-school Pepsi Challenge.
Pepsi please, no Pepsi Coke
I feel bad that nobody’s checking up on Coca Cola’s well-being.
When everyone asks if Pepsi is okay.
What is a pirates favorite soft drink?
Arrr -Sea cola.
Can you all please stop hating on Pepsi, Coke, and Orange Crush?
Seriously, it’s soda pressing.
I drank way too much cola today and now I don’t feel so good.
I think I have dyspepsia.
October 21st Birthdays
1942 – Judge Judy Sheindlin, 1988 – Hope Hicks, 1993 – Lorezia Tronco, 1989 – Bianca Suarez
1959 – Ken Wantanabe, 1833 – Al Nobel, 1950 – Ronald McNair, 1949 – Benjamin Netanyahu