Coca-Cola — origin, manufacturing, and ownership

Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta, Georgia in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton and was later commercialized and expanded by entrepreneurs such as Asa Candler, leading to the foundation and growth of The Coca-Cola Company. The brand's origin is the United States, where the beverage formula and original company were developed.

Manufacturing and distribution for Coca-Cola products use a global franchise system. The Coca-Cola Company produces beverage concentrates and syrups, then sells them to independent or affiliated bottling partners who manufacture, bottle, package, and distribute the finished soft drinks in local and regional markets. Because of this franchise/bottler model, Coca-Cola beverages are produced in many countries worldwide rather than a single manufacturing country.

Ultimate ownership of the Coca-Cola brand rests with The Coca-Cola Company, a multinational beverage corporation headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The company owns the trademark, the concentrate/formula, and global brand strategy, while local and regional bottlers handle manufacturing, packaging, and distribution under franchise agreements.

Common regional bottling partners include large publicly listed and private bottlers (examples: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Coca-Cola FEMSA, Coca-Cola HBC), which act as local subsidiaries or partners for manufacturing and distribution. Overall, brand ownership is centralized with The Coca-Cola Company, while production is decentralized across multiple countries through its bottling network.