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"Consumers continue to be even more discriminating with every dollar that they spend as they faced elevated prices in their day-to-day spending," McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said on the company's conference call in late April. Paul Weaver | SOPA Images | Getty ImagesFor more than two years, consumers have dealt with sharply rising prices. But that doesn't mean the actual prices seen on grocery store shelves or restaurant menus will fall, and shoppers are feeling that pinch. While some CEOs have said that consumers are growing more cautious, others — like those in the airline industry — have celebrated strong and persistent spending. Corporate misfires can also lead to disappointing sales, even if their shoppers aren't necessarily pulling back on their spending.

Persons: Chris Kempczinski, Burger, Paul Weaver, Jerome Powell, Aurelia Concepcion, Concepcion, it's, Joe Raedle, Brett House, John David Rainey, Ramon Laguarta, Ed Bastian, We're, Daniel Slim, Brian Niccol, Calvin McDonald, Laxman Narasimhan, Sara Senatore, Spencer Platt Organizations: DAL, Washington Post, Home, Delta Air Lines, Consumers, of Labor, CPI, KFC, Starbucks, Columbia Business School, Walmart, Finance, CNBC, PepsiCo, Gatorade, Pepsi, United, Delta Airlines Boeing, Owen Roberts International, AFP, Getty, Delta, Target, Bank of America Locations: Manhattan, Bloomsburg , Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Ohio, Miami , Florida, U.S, Delta, Europe, Asia, Japan, George Town, Cayman Islands, New York City

Elena Perova | Istock | Getty ImagesJust ahead of the holiday season, Walmart had encouraging news for inflation-weary shoppers: Prices on food and other staples were falling instead of rising. But the retail giant backpedaled this week, saying higher prices on many grocery items and household staples like paper goods have stuck. Food prices climbed 2.6%, fueled by a 5.1% jump in prices for food away from home, a category that includes restaurant meals and vending machine purchases. That gives their makers the ability to keep raising prices to mitigate higher costs, even as their volume drops. Even some of the biggest U.S. brands have signaled that consumers' tolerance of higher prices has worn thin.

Persons: Elena Perova, John David Rainey, Coke, James Quincey, Gregory Daco, airfares, Tyson, Fernando Fernandez, Arun Sundaram, Kraft Heinz, Chocolate, Hershey, Edward Jones, Brittany Quatrochi, Sundaram, Pringles, Kellanova, Heinz, Stefani Reynolds, Brad Thomas, CFRA's Sundaram, Thomas, Frederic J, Brown, Oscar Mayer, Greg Melich Organizations: Istock, Walmart, CNBC, Federal, Depot, Pew Research Center, Maine Foods, Unilever, Nestle, Bloomberg, Getty, Planters, Target, Kroger, AFP, U.S, PepsiCo, Frito, Evercore ISI Locations: Hershey , Pennsylvania, North America, Washington ,, Rosemead , California

☆ PepsiCo earnings top estimates, but quarterly revenue slides for the first time in nearly four years
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

PepsiCo on Friday reported mixed quarterly results as North American demand for its food and drinks weakened. Pepsi's organic revenue, which excludes acquisitions and divestitures, rose 4.5% in the quarter, helped by higher prices. For 2024, Pepsi now anticipates organic revenue growth of at least 4% and core constant currency earnings per share growth of at least 8%. The company previously forecast organic revenue growth on the high end of 4% to 6% and core constant currency earnings per share growth in the high single digits. Executives are expecting international organic revenue growth to top that of North America for the full year.

Organizations: Pepsi, PepsiCo, Refinitiv, Quaker Foods, Lay, Quaker Oats Locations: Las Vegas, United States, North America, America

☆ Panera’s Charged Lemonade has been the subject of multiple lawsuits. Why is it still on the menu?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Restaurant chain Panera Bread has faced three separate lawsuits in recent months claiming the high levels of caffeine in its Charged Lemonade led to the death of two customers and irreversible health complications in another. Lawsuits claim advertising was unclearBoth wrongful death suits allege the Charged Lemonade does not clearly advertise its high levels of caffeine , and does not provide a warning to customers. A large-size Charged Lemonade, which comes in a 30-oz cup, contains up to 236 mg of caffeine. Similarly, the second lawsuit, filed in December by the family of a 46-year-old man with a chromosomal deficiency disorder, ADHD and high blood pressure, claimed that the product was not properly labeled. The product description on the individual pages for each lemonade flavor now reads: “Contains caffeine.

Persons: James Haggerty, Haggerty, “, ”, Panera, Leonard’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, US Food and Drug Administration, FDA, Federal Food, Act, American Beverage Association, ABA Locations: New York, Connecticut, United States

☆ Wendy's taps PepsiCo exec Kirk Tanner as new CEO as burger chain fights off activist pressure
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Wendy's has tapped PepsiCo veteran Kirk Tanner as its new chief executive, effective Feb. 5, as the burger chain tries to boost its share price and ease pressure from activist investors. Kirk Tanner, chief executive officer of North America beverages for PepsiCo Inc., speaks during the Bloomberg Power Players Summit in Miami, Florida, U.S., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. Outgoing Wendy's CEO Todd Penegor has been at the helm of the company since 2016. Under his leadership, Wendy's successfully launched its breakfast menu nationwide, helping the company overtake Burger King as the second-largest U.S. burger chain by sales. But if Blackwells nominates its own board candidates, it's kicking off a fight with another activist investor: Nelson Peltz, who is chair of Wendy's board.

Persons: Tanner, Wendy's, Kirk Tanner, Todd Penegor, Burger, Blackwells, Nelson Peltz, Peltz, Trian, Ram Krishnan Organizations: Pepsi, PepsiCo, PepsiCo Inc, Bloomberg Power Players Summit, Reuters, Trian Fund Management, Disney Locations: Miami , Florida, North America, U.S, Wendy's

Wendy’s Co. named a longtime PepsiCo executive as its new CEO on Thursday. The Dublin, Ohio-based burger chain said Kirk Tanner will become president and CEO on Feb. 5. Tanner, who joined PepsiCo in 1992, most recently served as its CEO of North American beverages. Tanner succeeds Todd Penegor, who has served as Wendy’s president and CEO since 2016. In the first nine months of 2023, Wendy’s global same-store sales were up 5%.

Persons: Kirk Tanner, Tanner, Todd Penegor, Penegor, Wendy’s, Nelson Peltz, Peltz Organizations: PepsiCo, McDonald’s Locations: Dublin , Ohio, American, U.S

NEW YORK (AP) —The Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday said it issued warnings to two food and beverage industry groups, as well as a dozen online influencers, for failing to adequately disclose paid social media posts that promoted a sweetener and sugary products. The warnings follow updated guidelines the agency published this summer requiring influencers to prominently disclose advertisements and paid social media posts that promote products for companies. The FTC said it reviewed posts by health influencers — including registered dieticians — who endorse “sugar-containing products” and appear to be paid by the Canadian Sugar Institute. The agency wrote in the letters to the trade groups that the posts may violate federal law and could cost them up to $50,120 in penalties per violation. The Canadian Sugar Institute did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: influencers, dieticians —, William M, Dermody Jr, dieticians, ” Dermody, “, ” Samuel Levine Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, American Beverage Association, PepsiCo, Canadian Sugar Institute, FTC, Health, American Beverage, Consumer Locations: dietitians, FTC’s

☆ Coke and Pepsi stocks are both struggling — but one beverage giant has more to worry about than the other
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Coke's overall volume rose 2% in the third quarter, while Pepsi reported flat beverage volume and a 1.5% decline in its food volume. Coke reported flat volume, while Pepsi's North American beverage unit saw volume fall 6%. "Coke has been taking share from Pepsi for many, many quarters," RBC Capital Markets analyst Nik Modi said. McDonald's has served Coke products since Ray Kroc opened his first franchised location, and is the beverage company's largest restaurant customer. International success can offset more sluggish domestic demand, like the 6% volume decline for Pepsi's North American beverage.

Persons: Luke Sharrett, Coke, James Quincey, Edward Jones, Brittany Quatrochi, Nik Modi, snacking, Modi, Quincey, McDonald's, Ray Kroc, Taco, Quatrochi Organizations: Pepsi Co, Bloomberg, Getty, Cola, PepsiCo, Coke, Atlanta -, Pepsi, Pepsi's, Gatorade, RBC Capital, Frito, U.S, Taco Bell, Yum Brands Locations: Jasper , Indiana, Atlanta, North America, United States, Europe, North, U.S, Argentina, Turkey

☆ Coca-Cola beats earnings estimates, raises outlook as volume grows despite price hikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Coca-Cola on Tuesday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that topped analysts' expectations as consumers shook off higher prices for its namesake soda, Simply juice and other drinks. Excluding transactions gains, restructuring costs and other items, the beverage giant earned 74 cents per share. Coke's unit case volume, which unlike its net revenue excludes pricing and currency, grew 2% in the quarter despite its higher prices. All of Coke's drink divisions reported volume growth. The company said it will share the rest of its 2024 outlook when it reports fourth-quarter earnings early next year.

Persons: Coke Organizations: LSEG, PepsiCo, Pepsi Locations: U.S, Europe, North America

☆ PepsiCo beats Wall Street estimates, raises earnings outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

PepsiCo on Tuesday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts' expectations and raised its outlook for its full-year earnings. Shares of the company rose 2% in premarket trading. Pepsi's North American beverages unit reported volume declines of 6%. Quaker Foods North America's volume rose 1%, while Frito-Lay North America's volume was flat. Quaker Foods' brands also gained market share in key categories, like pancake mix and syrup, executives said in prepared remarks.

Organizations: Pepsi, PepsiCo, LSEG, Gatorade, Taco Bell, Quaker, Frito, Quaker Foods Locations: Crockett , California

PepsiCo's revenue rose 7% in the third quarter despite lower demand as the company continued to hike prices. Pepsi raised prices 11% in the July-September period, the seventh straight quarter that the Purchase, New York, company has increased prices by double-digits. Sales volumes fell 2.5%. Still, Frito-Lay North America sales volumes dropped 0.5% during the July-September period as net prices rose 8%. North American beverage sales volumes dropped 6% as prices rose 12%.

Organizations: Pepsi, PepsiCo, Gatorade, Lay North, FactSet Locations: , New York, Lay North America, American, Europe, America

Goodwin is the CEO and formulator of Olipop, a "healthier" prebiotic soda on track to surpass $200 million in sales by the end of the year. Here's how Goodwin and Lester turned a $100,000 investment into a multimillion-dollar business capable of selling $20 million worth of soda a month. They agreed to meet at a coffee shop in Palo Alto in early 2013 to discuss a potential partnership in Ben's probiotic soda company – Obi. However, Obi didn't see the success and traction they'd hoped for, and in 2016, Goodwin and Lester sold Obi. Ben Goodwin and David Lester became partners in Goodwin's probiotic soda company, Obi, in 2013.

Persons: Ben Goodwin, Goodwin, David Lester, Olipop, Lester, Gen Z, gravitate, I'd, Gary Erickson, Jes Gallegos, Jim Ilehder, São Paulo, Ben, – Obi, David, Van Leeuwen, Obi, Obi didn't, hadn't, would've, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mindy Kaling, Jonas, Joe, Nick, Kevin, they've Organizations: CNBC, University of California, Clif, Hardware, Diageo, U.S . Midwest, Target, Walmart Locations: Northern California, Santa Cruz, TikTok, University of California Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Ben's, Santa, probiotics, Jerusalem, U.S, Washington

☆ Coca-Cola says it's done raising prices in the U.S. and Europe this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

For two years, Coca-Cola has been raising prices on its drinks to combat higher costs. But the company said Wednesday it's done hiking prices this year in developed markets like the U.S. and Europe. Coke's prices were up 10% in the second quarter compared with the year-ago period. Coke plans to keep raising prices in line with inflation in developing markets like Latin America. Coke shares fell less than 1% in morning trading, despite the company raising its full-year outlook and reporting earnings and revenue that topped Wall Streeet estimates.

Persons: Coke, James Quincey, Quincey Organizations: PepsiCo, Pepsi, Quaker Foods, Quaker Foods North America, Lay Locations: U.S, Europe, Latin America, Quaker Foods North, America

☆ PepsiCo beats earnings estimates, raises full-year outlook even as higher prices hurt demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

PepsiCo on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that topped analysts' expectations, despite falling demand for its drinks and food. Shares of the company rose more than 2% in premarket trading. But the company's volume fell as higher prices for its snacks and drinks hurt demand. Quaker Foods North America's volume shrank 5%, and Pepsi's North American beverage unit reported volume fell 4.5% in the quarter. However, Frito-Lay North America was one bright spot, reporting 1% volume growth.

Persons: Ruffles Organizations: Pepsi, PepsiCo, Refinitiv, Quaker, Frito, Lay, Lay Minis Locations: Crockett , California, America

☆ WHO decision on aspartame could hurt diet soda sales or lead to new drink formulas
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Although full-calorie options still dominate the soda segment, diet sodas now represent more than a quarter of sales. Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi Zero Sugar and Diet Mountain Dew all contain aspartame. For most adults, that means drinking less than nine to 14 cans of diet soda every day. Even so, Edward Jones analyst Brittany Quatrochi said she isn't expecting a big hit to diet soda sales. Besides diet sodas, aspartame can also be found in a variety of foods, including breakfast cereals, chewing gum and ice cream.

Persons: Coke, sodas, Cowen, TD Cowen, Vivien Azer, Garrett Nelson, Gerald Pascarelli, Francesco Branca, Hugh Johnston, CFRA's Nelson, Edward Jones, Brittany Quatrochi, isn't, Keurig Dr Pepper, Kevin Keane Organizations: Health, International Agency for Research, Cancer, World Health Organization, Pepsi, WHO, CNBC, PepsiCo, Reuters, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Zero, Coke, American Beverage Association, Keurig, ABA Locations: Diet, Coke

☆ Prebiotic soda Olipop approaches $200 million in annual sales — and CEO says Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have already come knocking
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Prebiotic soda maker Olipop is set to cross $200 million in annual sales this year, just five years after it arrived on grocery store shelves. Olipop had raised $55.4 million as of Jan. 2, at a reported valuation of $199.8 million, according to Pitchbook data. Consumers are also increasingly interested in "gut health," one of the latest wellness trends. Both Olipop and Poppi have leaned into influencer marketing on TikTok, where gut health became a trending topic last year. But Olipop's Goodwin is confident that consumers are willing to pay more for the drinks he formulates.

☆ Companies are selling us more stuff by telling us it's 'sustainable'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The federal government is updating guides around how companies can prove their environmental claims. Companies are advertising what they plan to do, such as addressing the climate crisis or using more recycled materials in their products. She pointed to a case BBB National Programs' National Advertising Division brought against the American Beverage Association, which represents companies such as Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. The beverage industry appealed the finding, arguing that the ad was intended to increase awareness that plastic bottles could be recycled. The National Advertising Division's appellate body upheld the original decision.

☆ Tyson Foods to lay off 1,700 workers, close two chicken plants
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A package of Tyson Foods Inc. chicken is arranged for a photograph in Tiskilwa, Illinois. Tyson Foods will close two chicken plants in May, affecting nearly 1,700 employees. "While the decision was not easy, it reflects our broader strategy to strengthen our poultry business by optimizing operations and utilizing full available capacity at each plant," Tyson said in a statement to CNBC. The company's plants in Van Buren, Arkansas, and Glen Allen, Virginia, will close May 12. Coca-Cola offered voluntary buyouts to North American workers, while PepsiCo cut jobs in its Frito-Lay and North American beverage units.

☆ PepsiCo earnings beat expectations as price hikes boost snack and beverage sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

PepsiCo on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts' expectations, fueled by higher prices for its snacks and drinks. But the company saw volume fall 2% across its food business worldwide as those price hikes hurt consumer demand. Frito-Lay North America reported flat volume for the quarter, despite double-digit revenue growth for Doritos, Cheetos, Smartfood and many of its other brands. Looking to 2023, Pepsi is projecting a 6% increase in organic revenue and 8% growth in its core constant currency earnings per share. Wall Street is anticipating net sales growth of 3.5% and earnings per share growth of 7.3%.

☆ The soda market is flat, but not for Dr Pepper
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

And recently, Dr Pepper has been gaining ground on its competitors, even as the overall soda market goes flat. “One of the bright spots … has been Dr Pepper.”Founded in 1885 in Waco, Texas, Dr Pepper was the first in a wave of 19th-century upstart soda companies. Courtesy Keurig Dr PepperToday, Dr Pepper advertises itself as a treat, using a pint-sized mascot called Lil’ Sweet in its commercials. After Dr Pepper established itself as an alternative to mainstream colas, it launched on a path that ultimately made it part of the country’s third-largest soft drink maker, Keurig Dr Pepper. Dr Pepper hits the sceneDuring the wave of mega-mergers in the 1980s, Coca-Cola tried to scoop up Dr Pepper.

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