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Pepsi is an American carbonated soft drink created by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in New Bern, North Carolina, in 1893. Pepsi is ultimately owned by PepsiCo, Inc., a publicly listed food and beverage company headquartered in the United States.

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Updated: 23 September 2026 · Ownership verified: 13 September 2026 ·
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Political donations in the US

PepsiCo gave US$500,000 to Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025.

The company's political action committee gave 33% to Republican and 19% to Democratic candidates in the 2025 to 2026 election cycle.

Information from the US Federal Election Commission (FEC). Made O'Meter takes no side. Source: FEC · the PAC

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About Pepsi

What is Pepsi?

Pepsi is a carbonated cola beverage that originated in New Bern, North Carolina, in 1893. Pharmacist Caleb Bradham created the drink at his drugstore soda fountain and first called it Brad’s Drink. Pepsi is now one of the principal beverage brands managed by PepsiCo, whose portfolio also includes food and beverage products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. PepsiCo reported more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023 from its portfolio, which included Pepsi-Cola. The Pepsi product sold in the United States is a sweetened, caffeinated cola. The standard U.S. formula contains carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, sugar, phosphoric acid, caffeine, citric acid, natural flavor, and other ingredients listed by PepsiCo. Formulas, sweeteners, caffeine levels, package sizes, and product names can differ between countries. Pepsi is separate from Coca-Cola. Pepsi is a PepsiCo brand, while Coca-Cola is associated with The Coca-Cola Company. PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Company are competing publicly listed companies, not divisions of the same corporation.

Who owns Pepsi?

Pepsi is ultimately owned by PepsiCo, Inc., according to Made O’Meter’s ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. PepsiCo is headquartered in the United States and is a publicly listed company, so PepsiCo is owned by its shareholders rather than by a single private individual. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 when the Pepsi-Cola Company merged with Frito-Lay. The merger brought the Pepsi beverage business and Frito-Lay’s snack business into one corporate group. PepsiCo now owns and manages the Pepsi brand along with other food and beverage brands. Pepsi is not owned by Coca-Cola, and Pepsi is not a Coca-Cola product. PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Company have separate ownership, management, trademarks, bottling arrangements, and corporate structures. The Pepsi brand’s official website is pepsi.com.

Where does Pepsi come from?

Pepsi comes from New Bern, North Carolina, where pharmacist Caleb Bradham created the original beverage in 1893. Bradham served the drink at his drugstore at Middle and Pollock Streets. The drink was initially known as Brad’s Drink. Bradham renamed Brad’s Drink Pepsi-Cola on August 28, 1898, in New Bern. He later developed the beverage as a commercial product and founded the first Pepsi-Cola Company in 1903. Pepsi production moved from Bradham’s drugstore to a rented warehouse in New Bern in 1903, where the drink was bottled and marketed. By 1906, Pepsi had expanded to 15 bottlers in the Carolinas, Virginia, and West Virginia. This early bottling network allowed Pepsi to reach consumers beyond Bradham’s pharmacy while keeping production connected to local bottlers. Pepsi’s early growth was followed by repeated changes in corporate ownership. The Pepsi-Cola Company entered bankruptcy in 1923, and its assets were sold to Craven Holding Corporation for $30,000. In the same year, Wall Street broker Roy C. Megargel bought Pepsi’s trademark, business, and goodwill from Craven Holding Corporation for $35,000 and formed the Pepsi-Cola Corporation. Megargel reorganized the business as the National Pepsi-Cola Company in 1928. The National Pepsi-Cola Company became the fourth parent company to own the Pepsi trademark. The company was declared bankrupt in 1931. Loft’s, a candy-manufacturing and soda-fountain chain, bought Pepsi-Cola in 1931 for $14,000. Loft president Charles G. Guth established a new Pepsi-Cola Company and reformulated the drink’s syrup. The new Pepsi-Cola Company purchased the bankrupt Pepsi business’s goodwill and trademark for $10,500. Guth’s Pepsi became known for selling a 12-ounce bottle for five cents during the 1930s. Between 1936 and 1939, legal battles over control of Pepsi resulted in Guth losing a controlling interest to Loft’s new management. In 1941, the Pepsi-Cola Company merged into Loft, and Loft changed its corporate name to the Pepsi-Cola Company. The Pepsi-Cola Company merged with Frito-Lay in 1965 to form PepsiCo. That merger created the corporate owner that manages Pepsi today. PepsiCo later expanded the Pepsi brand internationally and rolled out a major visual-identity redesign across more than 120 countries in 2024.

What products does Pepsi make?

Pepsi sells cola products under several names, including Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Pepsi Zero Sugar Wild Cherry, and Pepsi Zero Sugar Wild Cherry and Cream. Product availability varies by country and by sales channel. Pepsi Zero Sugar is a zero-sugar, zero-calorie cola in the U.S. product range. The U.S. product listing identifies carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame, potassium benzoate, caffeine, natural flavor, acesulfame potassium, citric acid, panax ginseng root extract, and calcium disodium EDTA among its ingredients. A 12-fluid-ounce serving is listed with zero calories, zero grams of total carbohydrate, and zero grams of sugar. Pepsi Zero Sugar Wild Cherry is a zero-sugar cola with wild cherry flavor. Pepsi Zero Sugar Wild Cherry and Cream combines cherry flavor with a cream flavor profile. Other regional Pepsi products include Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Max, and caffeine-free variants. Names and formulas are not identical in every market. PepsiCo also owns food and beverage brands outside the Pepsi range. Frito-Lay became part of PepsiCo when the Pepsi-Cola Company merged with Frito-Lay in 1965. PepsiCo’s broader portfolio therefore includes both beverages and snacks, but those products are not all Pepsi products.

Is Pepsi gluten free, vegan, or kosher?

Pepsi Zero Sugar is listed as gluten free and vegan in PepsiCo’s U.S. Product Facts information. The listing also identifies the product as suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets. Pepsi products can have different formulas and certifications in different countries. Consumers with allergies, celiac disease, dietary restrictions, or religious dietary requirements should check the ingredient list and certification information on the specific package. A product’s status should not be inferred from the Pepsi name alone when the product, country, or formulation differs. The available product information identifies Pepsi Zero Sugar as gluten free and vegan, but it does not establish a single kosher status for every Pepsi product sold worldwide. Kosher certification can depend on the exact product, production facility, market, and certification mark on the package.

Is Pepsi caffeine free, and is Pepsi Zero caffeine free?

Regular Pepsi contains caffeine, and Pepsi Zero Sugar also contains caffeine unless the package specifically identifies a caffeine-free version. The U.S. Pepsi Zero Sugar product information lists caffeine as an ingredient and reports 24 milligrams of caffeine in a 7.5-fluid-ounce can. A 20-fluid-ounce U.S. bottle of Pepsi Zero Sugar is listed with 63 milligrams of caffeine. Package size therefore affects the total caffeine consumed. Pepsi also sells caffeine-free products in some markets, including a Pepsi Max No Caffeine product listed on the United Kingdom website. Pepsi Zero Sugar is not automatically caffeine free. Consumers seeking no caffeine should look for a product explicitly labeled caffeine free or no caffeine and check the current package information.

Is Pepsi discontinued, and is Pepsi Nitro discontinued?

Pepsi has not been discontinued as a brand. Pepsi’s official product listings continue to include Pepsi and Pepsi Zero Sugar products, and PepsiCo continues to manage Pepsi as a major beverage brand. Individual Pepsi flavors, package sizes, and limited-edition products can be withdrawn or become unavailable in particular markets. A product disappearing from one store or country does not establish that the entire Pepsi brand has been discontinued. Pepsi Nitro was a nitrogen-infused Pepsi product rather than the entire Pepsi range. Availability of Pepsi Nitro can vary by market and retailer. Consumers checking a specific product should use the product name, country, and package information because regional distribution and limited releases can change.

Are Pepsi and Coca-Cola the same company?

Pepsi and Coca-Cola are not the same company. Pepsi is owned by PepsiCo, Inc., while Coca-Cola is associated with The Coca-Cola Company. The two brands compete in the carbonated soft-drink market. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 through the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company and Frito-Lay. The Coca-Cola Company is a separate publicly listed corporation with its own brands, shareholders, bottling system, and management. Pepsi and Coca-Cola can both be sold by the same retailer or restaurant, but that commercial relationship does not make them one company. A restaurant’s beverage contract can determine whether the restaurant serves Pepsi products, Coca-Cola products, or products from another supplier.

Who is the CEO of Pepsi?

Pepsi does not have a separate publicly listed company called Pepsi with its own independent chief executive. Pepsi is a brand managed by PepsiCo, Inc., whose chairman and chief executive officer is Ramón Laguarta. The Pepsi brand operates within PepsiCo’s broader food and beverage structure. PepsiCo manages Pepsi alongside other brands and business units, so the chief executive of PepsiCo is the relevant corporate CEO for ownership questions about Pepsi.

Is Chick-fil-A a Pepsi or Coke?

Chick-fil-A’s beverage offering is a restaurant-specific purchasing decision and is not evidence that Pepsi and Coca-Cola have the same owner. The available ownership information establishes that Pepsi belongs to PepsiCo and that PepsiCo is separate from The Coca-Cola Company. Restaurant beverage contracts can change by country, franchise arrangement, or time period. The drink offered at an individual Chick-fil-A location should be checked against that restaurant’s current menu or ordering system.

Who is richer, Coke or Pepsi?

A comparison between Coke and Pepsi depends on what is being measured, because Pepsi is a brand while Coca-Cola can refer to a brand or to The Coca-Cola Company. PepsiCo reported more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023 from its broader portfolio, which included Pepsi-Cola. That figure is not Pepsi’s standalone revenue, because PepsiCo reports a diversified portfolio of food and beverage businesses. A meaningful comparison with The Coca-Cola Company would require using the same measure, year, currency, and accounting definition for both publicly listed companies. Company revenue, market capitalization, profit, and shareholder returns are different measures and can produce different rankings.

Is Pepsi or Coke better, and is Pepsi sweeter than Coke?

There is no single factual answer to whether Pepsi or Coke is better because taste preference is subjective. Pepsi and Coca-Cola are separate cola brands with different recipes, flavor profiles, packaging, and regional formulas. Whether Pepsi is sweeter than Coca-Cola depends on the specific products and market being compared. Standard formulas can differ in sugar or sweetener levels, while diet, zero-sugar, cherry, caffeine-free, and fountain versions create additional differences. The nutrition panels for the exact products provide the appropriate basis for a sugar comparison.

Is Pepsi Zero bad for you, and is Pepsi bad for you?

Pepsi and Pepsi Zero Sugar are sweetened or artificially sweetened soft drinks, and their nutritional profiles differ. U.S. Pepsi Zero Sugar is listed with zero calories and zero grams of sugar per 12-fluid-ounce serving, while it contains caffeine and the non-sugar sweeteners aspartame and acesulfame potassium. Whether a beverage is appropriate depends on the person’s overall diet, serving size, caffeine sensitivity, and health circumstances. Pepsi Zero Sugar is not caffeine free, and its label identifies phenylalanine-related information for products containing aspartame. People with phenylketonuria should follow relevant medical and labeling guidance. Regular Pepsi contains sugar or other caloric sweeteners in some markets and also contains caffeine. Consumers who need to limit sugar, caffeine, or specific ingredients should read the current label for the exact product and package.

Is Pepsi a good stock to buy, and what is Pepsi stock?

Pepsi is not a separate stock ticker because Pepsi is a brand owned by PepsiCo, Inc. Investors seeking exposure to PepsiCo would examine PepsiCo’s publicly listed shares rather than shares in a standalone Pepsi corporation. Whether PepsiCo is a good stock to buy depends on an investor’s objectives, valuation, risk tolerance, time horizon, and analysis of the company’s financial results. PepsiCo’s reported revenue includes a broad portfolio of food and beverage businesses, so its stock performance cannot be treated as a direct measure of Pepsi beverage sales alone. A stock decision also requires current information about price, earnings, debt, dividends, competition, and business outlook. Those factors can change after any particular annual revenue figure.

Who owns Pepsi and Frito-Lay?

PepsiCo owns both Pepsi and Frito-Lay. PepsiCo was created in 1965 when the Pepsi-Cola Company merged with Frito-Lay. The merger combined a beverage business with a snack business under one publicly listed parent company. Frito-Lay products and Pepsi beverages can therefore share a corporate owner even though they remain distinct brands and product categories.

Who owns Pepsi in Australia and Uganda?

PepsiCo is the ultimate owner of the Pepsi brand in the ownership data used for this page, while local production, distribution, or bottling can be handled through regional companies or business partners. The ultimate brand owner and the local bottler are not necessarily the same legal entity. The same distinction applies in Australia, Uganda, and other markets. A country-specific Pepsi website, distributor, importer, or bottler may identify the local company that supplies products, but that local arrangement does not change PepsiCo’s ultimate ownership of the Pepsi trademark.

Who owns Pepsi Max and Pepsi products?

PepsiCo owns Pepsi Max and the Pepsi product family as brands, subject to regional trademark and distribution arrangements. Pepsi Max is a no-sugar Pepsi cola product sold in some markets, while the United States commonly uses the Pepsi Zero Sugar name for a comparable no-sugar product line. PepsiCo’s broader product portfolio includes Pepsi beverages and Frito-Lay snacks. Local bottlers and distributors may manufacture, package, or distribute Pepsi products under agreement, but those operating arrangements are separate from ultimate brand ownership.

Subsidiaries: PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH

Frequently asked questions about Pepsi

Who owns Pepsi-Cola now?

Pepsi-Cola is ultimately owned by PepsiCo, Inc., a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States. PepsiCo became the parent company of the Pepsi-Cola business when Pepsi-Cola merged with Frito-Lay in 1965.

Is Pepsi owned by Coke?

No. Pepsi is owned by PepsiCo, Inc., while Coca-Cola is associated with The Coca-Cola Company. The two corporations are separate publicly listed companies.

Does Pepsi contain caffeine?

Yes, regular Pepsi contains caffeine, and U.S. Pepsi Zero Sugar product information lists 24 milligrams of caffeine in a 7.5-fluid-ounce can. Caffeine-free Pepsi variants exist in some markets, so the package label should be checked.

Can vegans drink Pepsi?

Pepsi Zero Sugar is listed as vegan in PepsiCo’s U.S. Product Facts information. Formulas and certifications can vary by product and country, so consumers should check the label for the specific package.

Does Pepsi Zero Sugar have sugar or calories?

U.S. Pepsi Zero Sugar is listed with zero sugar and zero calories per 12-fluid-ounce serving. It is sweetened with non-sugar sweeteners, including aspartame and acesulfame potassium.

Is Pepsi a product of PepsiCo?

Yes. Pepsi is a PepsiCo brand, and PepsiCo is its ultimate owner. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 through the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company and Frito-Lay.

Where was Pepsi first made?

Pepsi was first made in New Bern, North Carolina. Pharmacist Caleb Bradham created the drink at his drugstore in 1893, and production moved to a rented New Bern warehouse in 1903.

Is Pepsi available worldwide?

Pepsi products are sold across international markets, with PepsiCo stating in 2023 that its products were consumed more than one billion times per day in more than 200 countries and territories. Product names, formulas, and availability vary by market.

Sources: pepsico.com: pepsi history brads drink iconic american brand, pepsi.com: pepsi zero sugar, pepsi.com: faq, contact.pepsico.com: signup), pepsi.com: products, pepsi.com: pepsi zero sugar wild cherry, en.wikipedia.org: PepsiCo, pepsicoproductfacts.com, ncpedia.org, americanbusinesshistory.org, britannica.com, pepsico.com: pepsi celebrates its historic 125th anniversary with 125 day long campaign spotlighting iconic moments of the past present and future, visitnewbern.com, pepsibrattleboro.com, pepsico.com: pepsico introduces a bold new corporate brand identity, thevistapress.com, pepsico.com: the heart and hustle of where we began, contact.pepsico.com: about us, hmdb.org, en.wikipedia.org: Pepsi, en.wikipedia.org: Caleb Bradham, pepsico.com: pepsi takes over iconic global locations to unleash its new look

Pepsi in the Magazine

Sources: pepsico.com

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