The decadeslong battle between Coke and Pepsi as, respectively, the #1 and #2 most popular soda brands in the country now has a new challenger.
According to the industry publication Beverage Digest, Dr Pepper has overtaken Pepsi as the #2 soda brand in the country.
That said, Coke is still king: In 2023, it boasted 19.2% of the soda market share in the country, versus a photo finish between Dr Pepper and Pepsi at 8.3%.
Other Coke-owned brands scored well, including Sprite (8.1%) and Diet Coke (7.8%), rounding out the top 5.
According to the experts, Dr Pepper’s move comes after years of increases in the popularity of the brand that started way back in 1885.
Since 2018, the Keurig Dr Pepper company has owned the brand; the conglomerate also owns Sprite competitor 7UP, Sunkist, Snapple, A&W and Mott’s juices, in addition to Green Mountain Coffee Roasters on the non-soda side of the beverage market.