Posted on 06/04/2024 5:26:18 AM PDT by Red Badger
Dr Pepper is now tied with Pepsi as the No. 2 soft drink brand in the U.S., new research shows.
Wall Street Journal reveals favorite soft drink
DALLAS — Move over, Pepsi. Or at least make room.
Texas' own Dr Pepper is now tied with Pepsi as the No. 2 soft drink brand in the U.S., according to new research reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Both brands are still well behind Coke, which has long held the dominant market share on soft drinks, according to Beverage Digest data cited in the report.
In 2023, Coke held 19.18% market share, while Dr. Pepper and Pepsi were around 8.30%, the data said. *Technically,* Dr. Pepper held the slight edge at 8.34% to Pepsi's 8.31%, but it was virtually a tie for second, which is a long way coming for Dr. Pepper.
The Texas-founded brand, which dates back to 1885, has gradually increased market share over the last 20 years, growing from the 5.50% range in the early 2000s -- and fifth among major soft drink brands -- to its current standing, surpassing Diet Coke and Sprite to tie with Pepsi.
The Wall Street Journal report cited the rise of Dr. Pepper's "big marketing investments, novel flavors and a quirk in Dr. Pepper's distribution," which has allowed the drink to be on more soda fountains than any other brand.
While Coke and Pepsi typically have exclusive deals with certain restaurant chains, the Journal reported, Dr. Pepper "has alliances with both sides."
Dr. Pepper is unique from Pepsi and Coke in that it doesn't have a traditional cola taste. Instead, it's a syrup blend of 23 different flavors -- as evidenced on the Dr. Pepper logo -- that was invented by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco in the 1880s.
The company ultimately relocated its headquarters to Dallas, near Mockingbird Lane and Greenville Avenue, where the old Dr. Pepper clock still stands today. Dr. Pepper eventually merged with Seven-Up, and the two brands were later acquired by Cadbury Schweppes in the 1990s when the company relocated its headquarters to Plano.
Today, Dr. Pepper is under the Keurig Dr. Pepper corporate structure.
And no, there's still no period after Dr. all these years later.
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I’ve always thought Dr. Pepper tasted medicinal - I remember them advertising a number of years ago during the winter months to try Dr. Pepper heated up. Tasted like warm medicine.
I also remember the rumors that Dr. Pepper is prune juice - so “us” kid wouldn’t touch the stuff.
I noticed this too among my son and his friends (20s) after they had a party at my house - there were more Dr. Pepper bottles in the recycling bin than any other drink.
There are some stashed in the outside fridge as well. Maybe it’s time to give it another try...
It’s an acquired taste.
I’ve loved it ever since I was a kid.
Before I drank Dr. Pepper, I’d drink ‘Double Cola’, a regional brand in The South.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Cola_Company
They used to put small aluminum disks under the cork in some of the bottle caps that had a value from 5 cents to a dollar as an incentive to buy their product........................
hence the two types of immunosuppressants.
Just one of those things.
OK, I am sorry about the medical issues. I was referring the common case of beer drinkers getting big after years of consumption combined with aging.
I am glad your transplant was a great success!
No offense taken! I’ve got an extremely overactive immune system. It’s been causing me problems for 30 years. I’m fine now. I’m actually glad I don’t drink anymore. I miss red wine the most, but Ifeel so much better every morning.
I’m good to go, lol!
I forgot Schweppes Ginger Ale from U.K., he grand daddy of them all.
I regard it as "lost ark" of missing co-colas.
I can. Diet is too flat.
Agree. RC is good.
Dr Pepper is an acquired taste. Got into it in high school.
Beats coffee in the morning. More caffeine.
Sugar embargo days.
“Give me a Tab”
I always thought Dr Pepper is the best, with Orange Crush second.
There is no period after Dr in Dr Pepper.
7 UP, the UnCola
It started out as a cough syrup
Do they make Orange Crush any longer? It was good.
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