Dr Pepper climbs into tie for 2nd in U.S. soda rankings, report says

WFAA-TV8 ^ | June 03, 2024 | Ryan Osborne

[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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[P.O.E.]

I remember the old bottles

IIRC, indicated the times of day you should drink one. For health purposes.

[deport]

Thanks. I was looking on the net and didn’t find it.
Have a good one.

[markman46]

around 1988 or 1989 pespi light disappeared from store shelves all over MN when i lived at the time..
loved the lemon taste

[Dr. Sivana]

I remember the old bottles

I still see those in Phoenix from time to time.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

Have never liked Dr. Pepper. I stick with Pepsi Zero Sugar and Mt. Dew Zero Sugar.

[Red Badger]

Diet Dr. Pepper is practically indistinguishable from the original................

[mad_as_he$$]

Nope! Not buying it. Dr. Pepper was “originally” made with cane sugar.

[Red Badger]

As were all the others. Then the Corn Lobby took control...................

[mad_as_he$$]

One can still buy Coke in glass bottles made in Mexico around the south west US. The last DP cane sugar bottler in Texas was run out of business by the band owner 10 years so ago.

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11612

[Red Badger]

Yes, they are selling them here in Florida as well.

Mexican and other Latinos will not drink HFCS sweetened soft drinks and the sweetener is banned in their home countries.................

[knighthawk]

Here in the Netherlands they recently introduced Pepsi Cherry. Didn’t try it yet.