Pepsi Digital Watch

Our History

PepsiCo is a world leader in convenient snacks, foods and beverages with revenues of more than $60 billion and over 285,000 employees. Take a journey through our past and see the key milestones that define PepsiCo.

1965 Milestones
PepsiCo, Inc. is founded by Donald M. Kendall, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pepsi-Cola and Herman W. Lay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Frito-Lay, through the merger of the two companies. Pepsi-Cola was created in the late 1890s by Caleb Bradham, a New Bern, N.C. pharmacist. Frito-Lay, Inc. was formed by the 1961 merger of the Frito Company, founded by Elmer Doolin in 1932, and the H. W. Lay Company, founded by Herman W.Lay, also in 1932. Herman Lay is chairman of the Board of Directors of the new company; Donald M. Kendall is president and chief executive officer. The new company reports sales of $510 million and has 19,000 employees.
Major products of the new companies are:
Pepsi-Cola Company - Pepsi-Cola (formulated in 1898), Diet Pepsi (1964) and Mountain Dew (introduced by Tip Corporation in 1948).
Frito-Lay, Inc. - Fritos brand corn chips (created by Elmer Doolin in 1932), Lay's brand potato chips (created by Herman W. Lay in 1938), Cheetos brand cheese flavored snacks (1948), Ruffles brand potato chips (1958) and Rold Gold brand pretzels (acquired 1961).
Mountain Dew launches its first campaign "Yahoo Mountain Dew ... it'll tickle your innards."

2009 Milestones
PepsiCo is named to the 'Best Companies for Multi Cultural Women' list by Working Mother magazine
PepsiCo joins Ceres, a leading coalition of investors, environmental groups and public interest organizations working to address sustainability efforts
Near East brand launches two new products—Pearled Couscous side dish and Near East Gourmet Meal Kits
SoBe Lifewater introduces two new zero-calorie flavors – Acai Fruit Punch and Mango Melon
Pepsi celebrates its 75th anniversary in Canada
PepsiCo honored with 'Respect Award' for its commitment to diversity by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
PepsiCo-Almarai joint ventures acquires stake in Jordanian dairy company, Teeba
Frito-Lay Turkey honored with 'Environment-Friendly Industrial Plant' award from the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry
PepsiCo creates Baked Snacks North America Business Unit to meet consumers interest in more nutritious snacks and foods
PepsiCo opens new Russian beverage plant in Domodedovo, the largest bottling plant in PepsiCo's global system
Naked Juice becomes the first nationally distributed brand to use 100%