PEPSI’S BOLD MOVE INTO PREBIOTIC COLA

After two decades of relative quiet in the cola wars, PepsiCo just dropped a prebiotic cola that could reshape how we think about soda. It’s the strategic payoff from a nearly $2 billion acquisition of Poppi that rewrote the playbook for functional beverages.

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FROM POPPI TO COLA

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PepsiCo’s $1.95 billion acquisition of Poppi in March 2025 wasn’t just another deal—they had big plans for the brand.

What started as Allison and Stephen Ellsworth’s kitchen experiment in Austin back in 2018 became a Shark Tank darling that hit $100 million in annual sales by 2023.

The deal closed on May 19, 2025, giving PepsiCo exactly two months to absorb Poppi’s playbook before launching their prebiotic cola.

With healthy beverages projected to grow 54% to $9.2 billion between 2020 and 2024, PepsiCo acquired proof of concept, consumer insights, and a blueprint for scaling prebiotic sodas.

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PEPSI PREBIOTIC COLA

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Pepsi Prebiotic Cola isn’t just another line extension. It’s the first significant innovation in the traditional cola category since the early 2000s, representing a fascinating intersection of nostalgia and modern wellness trends.

5 grams of cane sugar, 30 calories, zero artificial sweeteners, and 3 grams of prebiotic fiber. It’s like Pepsi asked, “What if we could give people the classic taste they crave while addressing their modern health concerns?”

Prebiotic fiber in cola? That’s not a combination most consumers saw coming. But it reflects a broader shift in how beverage companies are thinking beyond just taste and refreshment.

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THE LAUNCH

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Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages U.S., frames this launch as part of Pepsi’s DNA: “Our portfolio has always adapted to the needs and flavor preferences of the consumer.”

It’s a smart positioning. Rather than abandoning what made Pepsi iconic, they’re building on it.

Prebiotic Cola launches in Original and Cherry Vanilla. It will be available online in the fall of 2025, with a full retail rollout starting in early 2026.

Starting with 12 oz. single cans for trial and 8-packs for committed converts, it’ll sit right alongside traditional Pepsi products in the carbonated soft drink aisle.

The timing is strategic. Consumers are increasingly seeking products that don’t require them to choose between taste and health benefits. Pepsi Prebiotic Cola attempts to thread that needle.