Is Pepsi a subsidiary of PepsiCo?

Pepsi is not a separate subsidiary. It is the flagship beverage brand of PepsiCo, managed within the company's beverage division. All strategic and operational decisions are made by PepsiCo corporate leadership.

Is Pepsi publicly traded?

The Pepsi brand itself is not publicly traded. Parent company PepsiCo trades on NASDAQ under ticker PEP. Investors gain exposure to Pepsi by purchasing PepsiCo shares.

When was Pepsi first created?

Caleb Bradham created Pepsi in 1898 in New Bern, North Carolina. He originally called it "Brad's Drink" before renaming it Pepsi-Cola in 1903.

Caleb Bradham, a pharmacist from New Bern, North Carolina, founded Pepsi. He developed the formula as a digestive aid and sold it from his pharmacy soda fountain.

What is Pepsi's market position?

Pepsi is one of the world's most recognized beverage brands, available in over 200 countries. In the United States, it ranks behind Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper in the cola category by retail sales, though it maintains strong international market share, particularly in emerging markets.

Food & Beverage

Who Owns Pepsi?

Pepsi is owned by PepsiCo, a publicly traded American multinational food and beverage corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York. PepsiCo trades on NASDAQ under ticker PEP and generated over $91 billion in net revenue in 2025. Pepsi operates as PepsiCo's flagship beverage brand, managed entirely within the company's beverage division.

Parent Company

PepsiCo, Inc.

Founded

1898

Status

Publicly Traded

Headquarters

Purchase, New York, USA

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Who Owns Pepsi?

Parent Company: PepsiCo, Inc.
Ownership Type: Wholly owned
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: PEP

Brand	Parent Company	Ownership Type
Pepsi	PepsiCo, Inc.	Wholly owned

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Pepsi on Amazon

History of Pepsi

Founded: 1898
Founders: Caleb Bradham

Caleb Bradham, a pharmacist in New Bern, North Carolina, created Pepsi in 1898. He originally called it "Brad's Drink" and sold it from his pharmacy soda fountain as a digestive aid. In 1903, he renamed it Pepsi-Cola, combining "dyspepsia" (indigestion) with "kola" for the kola nut ingredient. The Pepsi-Cola Company was incorporated in 1902, and Bradham began bottling and distributing across North Carolina.

The company went bankrupt in 1923 during a sugar price crisis following World War I. Charles Guth, president of Loft, Inc., a candy and fountain shop chain, purchased the assets. Guth reformulated the drink and expanded distribution. During the Great Depression, Pepsi gained market share by offering 12-ounce bottles at the same price as Coca-Cola's 6.5-ounce bottles, a strategy that resonated with cash-strapped consumers.

In 1965, Pepsi-Cola merged with Frito-Lay to form PepsiCo. The merger created a diversified food and beverage company with complementary distribution networks. The 1970s brought the Pepsi Challenge, a blind taste test campaign that became one of the most recognized marketing efforts in advertising history. In the 1980s, Pepsi signed Michael Jackson to a record-breaking endorsement deal, targeting younger demographics and establishing the brand's youth-oriented positioning.

PepsiCo acquired several beverage brands over the following decades, including Tropicana in 1998 and Gatorade through the 2001 Quaker Oats acquisition. In 2010, PepsiCo acquired its two largest North American bottlers, Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiAmericas, for $7.8 billion, consolidating its bottling operations under Pepsi Beverages Company.

In recent years, Pepsi has faced volume declines in North America. Through Q2 2026, PepsiCo reported that its North American beverage division saw volume drop 4% year over year, while international beverage volume grew 5%. CEO Ramon Laguarta attributed the domestic softness to higher gasoline prices reducing convenience store purchases. Internationally, PepsiCo posted its 21st consecutive quarter of at least mid-single-digit organic revenue growth.

About PepsiCo, Inc.

What does PepsiCo own?
PepsiCo owns a portfolio of more than 23 billion-dollar brands across beverages, snack foods, and cereals. Key brands include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Tropicana, Aquafina, SodaStream, Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Fritos, Tostitos, Ruffles, Quaker Oats, Cap'n Crunch, and Poppi. The company also owns international snack brands including Walkers (UK), Sabritas and Gamesa (Mexico), and Smith's (Australia).

Is PepsiCo publicly traded?
Yes, PepsiCo is publicly traded on NASDAQ under ticker PEP. The company has been listed since 1965 and is one of the largest companies in the S&P 500. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. PepsiCo is a Dividend Aristocrat, having increased its annual dividend for 54 consecutive years.

Who founded PepsiCo?
PepsiCo was formed in 1965 through the merger of Pepsi-Cola Company, founded by Caleb Bradham in 1898, and Frito-Lay, Inc., formed by Herman Lay in 1932. Bradham was a pharmacist in New Bern, North Carolina, who created Pepsi-Cola. Lay was a potato chip distributor in Nashville, Tennessee, who built a national snack food company.

Where is PepsiCo headquartered?
PepsiCo is headquartered in Purchase, New York, USA. The company's corporate campus in Westchester County, north of New York City, houses its executive offices and many of its North American business units. PepsiCo operates manufacturing facilities and offices across more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

How many brands does PepsiCo own?
PepsiCo owns more than 23 brands that each generate over $1 billion in annual retail sales. The total brand count is significantly higher when including regional and smaller brands. The portfolio spans beverages (Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Tropicana), snack foods (Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Fritos), and cereals (Quaker, Cap'n Crunch, Life).

Who owns PepsiCo?
PepsiCo is a publicly traded company with a dispersed shareholder base. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. The largest institutional shareholders are Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. Ramon Laguarta serves as Chairman and CEO, having succeeded Indra Nooyi in 2018.

What is PepsiCo's financial performance?
For FY2025 (ended December 27, 2025), PepsiCo reported net revenue of $93.9 billion, up 2% from $91.9 billion in FY2024. Net income was $8.3 billion, and core EPS was $8.14. Free cash flow was $8.2 billion. The company announced its 54th consecutive annual dividend increase. For FY2026, PepsiCo projects organic revenue growth of 2% to 4% and core constant currency EPS growth of 4% to 6%.

Founded: 1965
Headquarters: Purchase, New York, USA
Company Type: Publicly Traded
Stock: NASDAQ: PEP
Revenue: $93.9 billion (FY2025)
Employees: approximately 318,000

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Where Is Pepsi Made / Based?

Headquarters: Purchase, New York, USA
Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, India

Pepsi Categories & Tags

Soft Drink Carbonated Beverage Cola Pepsico American Brand

Pepsi Sustainability & Ethics

PepsiCo has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement goals. The company's Climate Transition Plan includes Scope 1, 2, and 3 targets aligned to 1.5 degrees Celsius, reflecting Science Based Target Initiative sectoral guidance. In 2024, PepsiCo achieved a 77% reduction in Scope 2 emissions from its 2022 baseline.

In packaging, PepsiCo has increased recycled plastic content in primary packaging by 15% between 2023 and 2024 in key markets. The company aims to make 100% of its packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable. However, PepsiCo has faced significant legal and reputational challenges over plastic pollution. Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit in October 2024 alleging misrepresentation of environmental impacts. The State of New York sued PepsiCo over plastic pollution in the Buffalo River, though the case was dismissed in early 2026.

PepsiCo has committed to becoming net water positive by 2030, aiming to replenish more water than it consumes in high-water-risk areas. The company works with over 100,000 farmers globally to implement sustainable agriculture practices, including regenerative agriculture and water-efficient farming techniques. The PepsiCo Foundation supports education and economic empowerment programs in underserved communities.

Environmental groups have accused PepsiCo of downgrading its sustainability commitments. Trellis Law reported in 2025 that the company had watered down key climate, water, and packaging goals. PepsiCo has acknowledged system-level obstacles and adjusted its approach, focusing on areas where it can make measurable progress rather than maintaining targets it cannot meet.

Awards & Recognition

PepsiCo has been recognized as the top supplier in Kantar's 2025 PowerRanking for the 10th consecutive year, reflecting excellence in supply chain management and retail partner relationships. The Pepsi Smart Can won the 2025 A' Advertising, Marketing and Communication Design Award for interactive packaging innovation.

Pepsi's advertising campaigns have received numerous Cannes Lions and Effie Awards. The brand's Super Bowl commercials consistently rank among the most discussed and shared advertisements during the annual event. PepsiCo has been included in Newsweek's 2024 Most Trusted Companies in America for the Food and Beverage industry and the Wall Street Journal's Best-Managed Companies list.

PepsiCo received the Terra Carta Seal from HRH The Prince of Wales for environmental stewardship commitments. The company's digital marketing campaigns have won Webby Awards and Shorty Awards for social media engagement and innovative content strategies.

Pepsi Recalls & Controversies

PepsiCo was named among the worst contributors to plastic pollution in the Indian Himalayan Region in 2025, drawing criticism from environmental groups. The State of New York filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo in 2024 over plastic pollution in the Buffalo River. The case was dismissed in early 2026, but it highlighted growing regulatory scrutiny of beverage companies' packaging waste.

Los Angeles County filed a separate lawsuit in October 2024 alleging that PepsiCo made misleading claims about plastic recyclability. Environmental groups including Trellis Law reported in 2025 that PepsiCo had weakened its climate, water, and packaging commitments, citing insufficient investment in cleaner technologies.

Health advocates have criticized PepsiCo for marketing sugary beverages to children and young adults. The company maintains that its marketing practices comply with industry self-regulation standards. Pepsi has also faced trademark disputes and occasional advertising controversies, though recent campaigns have largely avoided major regulatory issues.

Pepsi Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Global brand recognition across 200+ countries with decades of consumer trust
+Integrated snack and beverage distribution network through PepsiCo, a structural advantage over pure-play beverage competitors
+Strong parent company financials, with $91.8 billion in 2025 revenue supporting R&D and marketing investment
+Diversified portfolio reduces dependency on the cola category alone
+Growing zero-sugar and functional beverage offerings capturing health-conscious consumers
+International business delivering consistent mid-single-digit organic revenue growth

Considerations

-North American beverage volume declining, with 4% year-over-year drop in Q2 2026
-Dr Pepper has surpassed Pepsi as the second-largest soda brand in the US by retail sales
-Health concerns about sugar content and artificial sweeteners affecting consumer perception
-Environmental scrutiny over plastic packaging, including lawsuits and pollution allegations
-Regulatory pressure on sugary beverage marketing, particularly toward children
-Vulnerability to consumer spending shifts, as seen with gas price impacts on convenience channel sales

Frequently Asked Questions About Pepsi

Sources & Further Reading

Competitors to Pepsi

These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.

Brand	Parent Company	Country	Founded	Market Position	Primary Market	Gender Target
Coca-Cola	Coca Cola Company	USA	1886	Mass market	Global	All-ages
Barq's	Coca Cola Company	USA	1898	Mass market	United states	All-ages
Dr Pepper	Keurig Dr Pepper	USA	1885	Mass market	United states	All Genders
A&W Root Beer	Keurig Dr Pepper	USA	1919	Mass market	United states	All-ages
Coke Zero Sugar	Coca Cola Company	USA	2005	Mass market	Global	All Genders
Diet Coke	Coca Cola Company	USA	1982	Mass market	Global	All Genders