PepsiCo

On August 28, 1898, Caleb Bradham, a pharmacist from New Bern, North Carolina, invented the drink known as Pepsi-Cola. Originally named 'Brad's Drink,' it was formulated to be a refreshing beverage that would aid digestion. Bradham believed the name 'Pepsi-Cola' better represented the drink, as it was made from pepsin and cola nuts, even though pepsin was not actually an ingredient. By 1902, Bradham had founded Pepsi-Cola Company to sell the beverage.

On June 8, 1931, the Pepsi-Cola Company declared bankruptcy during the Great Depression. The economic recession significantly impacted Pepsi's financial status, causing it to restructure. The company was initially taken over by the Loft Candy Company, who reformulated and rebranded the product. This transition played a crucial role in restoring Pepsi's position in the market, allowing it to become competitive again against brands like Coca-Cola.

On June 8, 1965, PepsiCo, Inc. was formed through the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company and Frito-Lay, Inc. This strategic move combined Pepsi's popular soft drinks with Frito-Lay's leading snack food products, greatly expanding the company's portfolio. The merger marked the beginning of PepsiCo's rapid expansion into various segments of the food and beverage industry, ultimately laying the groundwork for its position as one of the most significant international brands.

In 1976, PepsiCo became the official beverage sponsor of the Dallas Cowboys, marking one of its earliest ventures into sports marketing. This sponsorship deal highlighted Pepsi's shift towards associating its brand with major sports events and teams in order to reach broader audiences and bolster its image as a fun, youthful, and dynamic brand. This strategic move paved the way for Pepsi’s future involvement in sporting events and continued sponsorship in popular sports across the globe.

In 1985, PepsiCo launched the 'Pepsi Challenge', a landmark marketing campaign aimed at increasing its market share by directly challenging its biggest rival, Coca-Cola. The campaign involved taste tests that supposedly showed more people preferred the taste of Pepsi over Coke. It marked a pivotal moment in soda advertising and contributed to the ongoing 'cola wars' which spurred further innovation and increased competitiveness within the industry.

On August 1, 2001, PepsiCo completed its acquisition of Quaker Oats Company, adding key brands such as Gatorade to its product line. This acquisition was significant as it not only strengthened PepsiCo's presence in the sports beverage market but also aligned with its strategic goal to diversify and expand its offerings beyond carbonated soft drinks. The deal was valued at $13.4 billion and illustrated the broadening of PepsiCo's product base, adding more health-conscious options to its portfolio.

In August 2004, PepsiCo launched Pepsi EDGE, a product aimed at consumers seeking reduced-sugar soda options. Marketed as having half the sugar, carbs, and calories of regular colas, Pepsi EDGE was part of PepsiCo's initiative to address growing concerns about sugar consumption while trying to tap into the diet cola market. Although the product was eventually discontinued due to limited consumer demand, its development reflected PepsiCo's responsiveness to dietary trends.

On August 6, 2014, PepsiCo launched Drinkfinity, an innovative beverage concept targeting tech-savvy and health-conscious consumers. Drinkfinity allowed users to create personalized drinks by combining flavor pods with water. This launch demonstrated PepsiCo's commitment to exploring new packaging and delivery methods, aiming for an eco-friendly approach while engaging with modern consumer trends like customization and reduced sugar consumption in their products.

On October 3, 2018, PepsiCo acquired SodaStream, a company known for its home carbonation product allowing consumers to make their own soft drinks. The acquisition, valued at $3.2 billion, was part of PepsiCo's strategy to diversify its product offerings amid declining soda consumption worldwide. SodaStream's focus on sustainability and health resonated with PepsiCo's vision to offer healthier options and environmentally friendly products to its consumers.

On March 10, 2020, PepsiCo announced its participation in the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, a consortium aiming to combat environmental issues through sustainable practices. This involvement underscored PepsiCo's dedication to sustainability, focusing on reducing carbon emissions, improving water use efficiency, and transitioning towards recyclable, biodegradable packaging. This move aligned with PepsiCo's 'Winning with Purpose' mission focused on social impact.