Back in 2015, Allison Ellsworth started mixing homemade sodas in her Texas kitchen, driven by her desire for a low-sugar drink that tasted amazing. A decade later, her vibrant beverages — now known as poppi — have become a go-to for mindful consumers and soda lovers across the U.S.
And with PepsiCo’s acquisition of poppi in May, this once-humble kitchen experiment is now backed by one of the world’s most iconic businesses in food and drink, poised to fizz its way into even more hands (and fridges). “Where PepsiCo can add value is expanding the opportunities for people to access and experience poppi,” says Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages U.S.
From farmers’ markets to Fortune 500
Allison Ellsworth’s wellness journey took a refreshing turn when she discovered the gut health benefits of apple cider vinegar. She began experimenting with it in her kitchen, blending it with fresh fruit, prebiotics and sparkling water, and eventually creating a low-sugar, drink with fiber that felt as good as it tasted.
Allison Ellsworth, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of poppi
She and her husband, Stephen Ellsworth, initially launched the brand as “Mother Beverage,” selling bottles at Dallas farmers’ markets. But everything changed in 2018, when they appeared on Shark Tank, impressing the panel and securing a game-changing investment from shark and entrepreneur Rohan Oza. With new resources and momentum, they expanded operations, scaled distribution and rebranded as poppi, debuting their now-signature vibrant cans.
From there, poppi’s rise was meteoric. By 2020, the eye-catching cans hit shelves, and Allison took to TikTok to share her entrepreneurial story, building a passionate fanbase and skyrocketing brand visibility. The buzz turned into boom, with poppi quickly going viral and landing in more than 120 retailers nationwide.
Why PepsiCo made the move
In May, poppi officially became part of PepsiCo’s food and drinks portfolio, expanding our offerings to meet evolving consumer preferences and connect with new generations of soda lovers.
“poppi has done a really great job of pairing fun with wellness, and they’ve built an amazing brand based on relevancy and culture,” says Krishnan. “It’s a transformative addition to our portfolio that will help us continue to drive growth.”
poppi’s low-calorie, low-sugar sodas bring exactly the kind of innovation PepsiCo is looking for. poppi’s bold branding, loyal fanbase and bubbly bliss bring fresh relevance to PepsiCo’s evolving drinks lineup.
“More than ever, consumers are looking for convenient and great-tasting options that fit their lifestyles and respond to their growing interest in health and wellness,” says PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta. “poppi is a great complement to our portfolio transformation efforts to meet these needs."
What’s in the can?
poppi serves up bold, nostalgic soda vibes reimagined for today. Each of its 15 vibrant flavors has just 5 grams of sugar and contains prebiotics from organic agave inulin and casava root fiber.
poppi’s limited-edition Punch Pop
poppi’s lineup is a flavor playground with fruit-forward stars like Strawberry Lemon, Ginger Lime and Orange, and throwback favorites like Cherry Limeade and Root Beer. The brand also keeps its community buzzing with limited-edition drops and seasonal surprises — like the limited-edition Punch Pop, a fruit-punch summertime soda featuring a unique can designed in partnership with artist Matthew Langille.
What’s next?
PepsiCo plans to fuel poppi’s next phase by amplifying the brand’s innovation, expanding its impressive flavor lineup and bringing its feel-good fizz to even more fans. “We want to stay the course and maintain the DNA of the brand while helping in areas where PepsiCo excels,” Krishnan says. “An immediate focus area will be expanding in Away from Home, the places where people play, dine, vacation and more. Beyond availability, PepsiCo will bring revenue management expertise, cost-saving procurement and product development capabilities.”
poppi CEO Chris Hall shares this excitement. “I’m proud of everything poppi has built so far, and even more excited for what’s next,” he says. “PepsiCo brings world-class innovation, unmatched distribution and leadership that will help take poppi to the next level without leaving behind the things that got us here. We’ll finally get to bring poppi to places we’ve always dreamed about — stadiums, more restaurants and maybe even fountains. This is just the beginning."