PepsiCo has now launched a sweetened sparkling water called Bubly Burst, an answer to Talking Rain’s popular Sparkling Ice. Bubly Burst is an extension of PepsiCo’s flavored sparkling water brand, Bubly, which debuted in 2018. BD previously reported the expected Bubly Burst launch when PepsiCo gave a sneak peek to convenience retailers in October at the NACS show. Bubly Burst will be available nationally starting next week. Flavors are ...

Have you heard about “crispy” Diet Coke? I dismissed this TikTok driven trend until my daughter mentioned it the other day.

As readers of this newsletter know, my adult son and daughter, ages 27 and 22, are an important window for me. What I see and hear from them has been valuable to my understanding of how young consumers digest media and consider brands. My kids and their friends are an antidote to the skepticism that can infect a 53-year-old brain.

It turns out my daughter and her friends are fans of “crispy” Diet Coke. And there is ritual around the drink. First, a Diet Coke goes into the freezer to get near the tipping point to ice. Next, ice is added to a reusable cup. On top of the ice goes a sachet of True Lime, which is a crystallized Lime powder (that I hadn’t heard of). The near-frozen Diet Coke is then poured over the ice and lime powder, creating the desired “crispy” effect. As my daughter explains: “It’s cold, carbonated, and super refreshing. Lime makes it even more crispy.” So young people do drink Diet Coke?

That wasn’t all she surprised me with. I’ve often...

PepsiCo Calls Action ‘Improper Attempt’ to Rewrite Contract Terms.

Says Agreement With Bottlers Reserves PepsiCo’s Right to Warehouse Delivery.

Pepsi bottlers Admiral Beverage and Newburgh Bottling have sued PepsiCo in a New York court over plans to ship pallets of Gatorade to the warehouses of Walmart and Kroger. The independent bottlers allege the plan will undermine an...

Year-One Progress for C4 Energy Noted. La Colombe RTD Coffee Gets Refresh.

KDP’S Alcohol Related Product Sales Surpass $500M at Retail.

Keurig Dr Pepper hosted an investor update yesterday in New York. The event featured the first in-person investor presentation by COO Tim Cofer, who will take over as...

As previously reported by BD, Gatorade Water is now available nationally in the US. The alkaline bottled water is the brand’s first unflavored water. To mark the occasion, PepsiCo rented ...

Talking Rain has launched a Starburst line of Sparkling Ice flavors based on the taffy-like candy. The flavors are Cherry, Lemon, Orange, and Strawberry and the drink is formulated to have a “creamy, candy mouthfeel,” according to Talking Rain...

PepsiCo Beverages North America CEO Kirk Tanner will retire from PepsiCo at the end of this week after 32 years to join fast-food chain Wendy’s as its new CEO. Tanner has led...