Key Stats
PepsiCo stands as one of the world’s largest food and beverage corporations, operating across more than 200 countries with a diverse portfolio spanning snacks, beverages, and convenience foods. The company emerged from the 1965 merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay, creating a powerhouse that combines iconic beverage brands like Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and Gatorade with leading snack brands including Lay’s, Doritos, and Cheetos.
Headquartered in Harrison, New York, PepsiCo has evolved beyond its original soft drink focus to become a diversified food and beverage giant. The corporation continues to expand through strategic acquisitions while maintaining strong global market positions in both beverages and convenient foods.
PepsiCo History
PepsiCo Co-founders
Former Pepsi-Cola CEO who engineered the 1965 merger with Frito-Lay, serving as PepsiCo’s president and chief executive officer until 1986. Kendall expanded PepsiCo globally, bringing Pepsi to the Soviet Union and China while transforming the company into a major rival of Coca-Cola.
Founder of H.W. Lay & Company and chairman of Frito-Lay at the time of the merger with Pepsi-Cola. Lay built the first national brand of potato chips and served as PepsiCo’s chairman of the board, remaining active in the corporation until 1980.
PepsiCo Revenue
PepsiCo revenue reached 91.85 billion USD in fiscal year 2024, representing steady growth in its global operations. The company demonstrates consistent financial performance across its diverse portfolio of food and beverage brands.
PepsiCo Competitors
PepsiCo faces competition from major food and beverage corporations across multiple categories. The company competes in both beverage and snack food markets against established global brands.
| Company | Primary Category | Market Position |
|---|---|---|
| The Coca-Cola Company | Beverages | Leading global beverage competitor |
| Keurig Dr Pepper | Beverages | North American beverage market |
| Nestle | Food & Beverages | Global diversified food company |
| Mondelez International | Snacks | Global snack food competitor |
| Monster Beverage | Energy Drinks | Energy drink market leader |
| Red Bull | Energy Drinks | Premium energy drink segment |
| Danone | Dairy & Beverages | European market competitor |
| Conagra Brands | Packaged Foods | North American packaged foods |
| General Mills | Breakfast Foods | Competes with Quaker brands |
| Kellanova | Snacks & Cereals | Snack food market competitor |
PepsiCo Market Cap
PepsiCo maintains a market capitalization of approximately 207.35 billion USD as of October 2025. The company’s valuation reflects its strong brand portfolio and global market presence across food and beverage categories.
PepsiCo Acquisitions
PepsiCo has pursued strategic acquisitions to diversify its portfolio and strengthen market positions across beverage and food categories. The company’s acquisition strategy focuses on expanding into health-conscious products and emerging markets while enhancing its core snack and beverage offerings.
The Tropicana Products acquisition in 1998 marked PepsiCo’s major expansion into the juice category, establishing a strong presence in the non-carbonated beverage segment. This strategic move was followed by the transformative Quaker Oats Company merger in 2001, which brought Gatorade sports drinks and established breakfast food brands into the PepsiCo portfolio. These acquisitions fundamentally reshaped PepsiCo from primarily a carbonated soft drink company into a diversified food and beverage corporation.
In 2020, PepsiCo made significant international investments with the acquisition of Pioneer Foods in South Africa for 1.7 billion USD and Rockstar Energy for 3.85 billion USD. Pioneer Foods acquisition strengthened PepsiCo’s presence across the African continent, adding beloved regional brands like Weet-Bix cereal and Bokomo breakfast products. The Rockstar Energy purchase positioned PepsiCo to compete more effectively in the rapidly growing energy drink market alongside its existing beverage portfolio.
Recent acquisitions demonstrate PepsiCo’s focus on health-conscious consumer trends. In January 2025, the company completed its acquisition of Siete Foods for 1.2 billion USD, gaining Mexican-inspired grain-free products that appeal to health-focused consumers. Following this, PepsiCo announced the acquisition of Poppi prebiotic soda brand for approximately 1.95 billion USD in March 2025, entering the functional beverage space with gut-health focused products that align with growing consumer interest in wellness.
The acquisition of Be & Cheery in China and multiple regional snack brands reflects PepsiCo’s strategy to capture growth in emerging markets while maintaining relevance in developed markets. The company has also acquired stakes in Celsius Holdings, investing 550 million USD to strengthen its position in the performance energy drink category. These strategic moves demonstrate PepsiCo’s commitment to portfolio diversification while adapting to changing consumer preferences across global markets.
FAQs
When was PepsiCo founded?
PepsiCo was founded in 1965 through the merger of Pepsi-Cola Company and Frito-Lay. The merger was engineered by Donald M. Kendall and Herman W. Lay, creating one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies.
What are PepsiCo’s main products?
PepsiCo’s main products include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Tropicana, and Quaker Oats. The company owns 23 brands that each generate over one billion dollars in annual sales across beverages and snacks.
Who is PepsiCo’s biggest competitor?
The Coca-Cola Company is PepsiCo’s largest competitor in the beverage market. In snack foods, Mondelez International competes across multiple categories including cookies, crackers, and convenience foods globally.
How many employees does PepsiCo have?
PepsiCo employs approximately 319,000 people worldwide as of December 2024. The company operates across more than 200 countries and territories, with significant workforce presence in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions.
What was PepsiCo’s most recent acquisition?
PepsiCo’s most recent major acquisition was Poppi prebiotic soda brand for approximately 1.95 billion dollars in March 2025. This followed the January 2025 completion of the Siete Foods acquisition for 1.2 billion dollars.