A Texas judge has ruled in favor of Keurig Dr Pepper, ending its long-standing distribution agreement with Coca-Cola and clearing the way for big changes at drink fountains in California and Nevada.
The ruling allows Dr Pepper’s parent company to take full control of its own fountain syrup distribution for the first time in decades.
As a result, Dr Pepper is being removed from Coca-Cola fountain machines in stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues nationwide. To fill the gap, Coca-Cola is bringing back Mr. Pibb, reintroducing it with a spicier cherry flavor and a boost in caffeine.
Dr Pepper will continue to be sold in cans and bottles, and Keurig Dr Pepper says it plans to build out its own distribution system to eventually return to fountain machines under its own label. The move marks a major shift in one of Texas’ most iconic beverage brands and reshapes the competition between two of the biggest names in soft drinks.
Coca-Cola created Mr. Pibb back in 1972 as its answer to Dr Pepper, which was already dominating the “spicy cherry” cola niche. It originally launched under the name “Peppo,” but that didn’t last long — Dr Pepper’s lawyers weren’t amused, and Coca-Cola quickly rebranded it as Mr. Pibb.
For decades, Pibb tried to keep up with its Texas-born rival but never quite caught the same cult following. In 2001, Coke reformulated and relaunched it as Pibb Xtra, emphasizing a bolder, spicier taste and more caffeine. That’s the version most people see today at fountain machines.
The brand’s whole vibe has always been playful and a little rebellious — the “Mr.” who never got his doctorate, so to speak. And now, with Dr Pepper stepping away from Coca-Cola fountains after that Texas court ruling, Mr. Pibb is stepping back into the spotlight for the first time in years.
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