Pepsi is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by PepsiCo. In 1893, Caleb Bradham created and developed a drink and named it Brad’s Drink. On 28th August 1898, the drink was renamed to Pepsi-Cola, but the name was changed again in 1961, and since then it has been known as Pepsi.
This beverage has become an iconic part of global pop culture. Ronaldinho’s commercial deal with Coca-Cola was terminated after he was caught drinking Pepsi at a press conference. Let’s learn more about its history, some interesting facts, and net worth.
History
As it was previously said, Pepsi was created in 1989, in New Bern, North Carolina, United States, by pharmacist Caleb Bradham. The original recipe included sugar, vanilla, carbonated water, spices, oils, and African kola nuts, and the drink was supposed to help you with digestion and boosting energy.
Bradham claimed that Pepsi could cure many ailments, including dyspepsia and ulcers. In 1903, 7,968 gallons of this syrup was sold. As years went by, the sales increased, and by 1909, an automobile race pioneer Barney Oldfield was the first celebrity to endorse Pepsi-Cola.
Bankruptcy
During World War I, the price of sugar increased significantly, which made Bradham believe that buying more of it with the price climbing, would be a good idea. He planned to sell it for a profit, but things didn’t work out the way he thought they would. This led to bankruptcy in 1923. Eight years later, the company was purchased by the Loft Candy Company.
Rising Again
During the Great Depression, Pepsi’s competitors were selling 6-ounce bottles for a nicker, while Pepsi offered its customers 12-ounce for the same price. This affected the drink’s popularity and its profits. The company even had a popular jingle Nickel, Nickel, which was played on the radio.
Commercial With Sofia Vergara
Some of you might not know this, but the brand gave Sofia Vergara her first acting job. She was 17 years old when she starred in her first commercial. The 30-second Pepsi ad featured Vergara in a bikini trying to get to a Pepsi cart across the hot sand.
The actress claimed that the commercial opened opportunities for her. In 2011, the brand asked her to be a spokesperson for Diet Pepsi.
Innovations
In 1970, Pepsi was the first drinks company to introduce the 2-liter bottle, and it wasn’t long before other companies followed suit. Just four years later, Pepsi-Cola became the first American consumer product to be produced, marketed, and sold in the former Soviet Union.
Another invention was introduced by the company, which were bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate, the material lighter than glass, that wouldn’t shatter if dropped, and wouldn’t contaminate its contents. Nathaniel Wyeth developed those bottles for Pepsi.
Dozens of Variations
Many global brands tend to experiment with different formulas in different markets around the world, and Pepsi is no exception. The company had limited edition flavors for holidays or for some other important events. Some of Pepsi flavors included strawberry milk, cucumber, baobab tree fruit, azuki bean, salty watermelon, and yogurt.
Net Worth
Pepsi sponsored the Super Bowl halftime show for a seventh straight year in 2024.Pepsi’s net worth is estimated up to $226.31 billion. It is believed that the earnings will increase with the years to come.
