Dr. Pepper surpasses Pepsi as the second best-selling soft drink brand in the United States
Pepsi has been playing second fiddle to Coke for decades, but now it has been surpassed by Dr. Pepper as the second best-selling soft drink brand in the US.
The soda wars have been around for decades, and though Coke has been the undisputed leader for decades, Pepsi had long been its main rival, nipping at its heels at number two.
However, Dr. Pepper, a unique-tasting soft drink that is neither cola nor root beer, had been creeping up on the steadfast second placer for years, and it has finally taken its spot.
Dr. Pepper is the star brand in Keurig Dr. Pepper, and it has been making strides in the past few years even as the overall market for soda has been flat.
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According to Beverage Digest, Coke still led by a mile last year, cornering almost a fifth of the market at 19.2% by volume. Although Dr. Pepper and Pepsi both captured 8.3%, the peppery soft drink was technically ahead, per CNN.
The sodas that followed were also Coca-Cola brands: Sprite, with 8.1%, and Diet Coke coming in with 7.8%.
What is Dr. Pepper?
Dr. Pepper was founded in 1885, created by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas. Alderton developed the unique beverage at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store, where he worked. The drink was initially served at the soda fountain in the drugstore and became popular among customers. The brand and formula, which supposedly brings together 23 flavors, were later trademarked and mass-produced, leading to the widespread popularity and now number two spot of Dr. Pepper.