The Food That Built America: Cola Wars

Cola Wars

The Coca-Cola Case

Coke vs. Pepsi: The cola wars are back

The rivalry between Coca-Cola and Pepsi, known as the “Cola Wars,” is a fierce and enduring competition that began in the late 19th century. Coca-Cola, created in 1886, established an early lead in the market, while Pepsi, introduced in 1893, initially struggled but re-emerged stronger under new management. The competition escalated in the 1970s with Pepsi’s “Pepsi Challenge” campaign, claiming consumers preferred Pepsi’s taste over Coke’s. Coca-Cola responded with significant marketing efforts