{
  "id": 16587154,
  "title": "PepsiCo started losing the cola wars when its CEOs lost focus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/pepsico-started-losing-the-cola-wars-when-its-ceos-lost-focus",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-26T09:37:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/10/26/pepsico-cola-wars-ceos-focus/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "PepsiCo's cola struggles stem from poor leadership decisions, according to a recent analysis. Steve Reinemund's tenure from 2001 to 2006 saw the company broaden its portfolio through the Quaker Oats merger, which introduced Gatorade. However, Reinemund's changes also brought about a less flexible distribution structure and increased complexity to the business. Indra Nooyi, his successor, further complicated matters by dividing the company's portfolio into three categories: \"Fun for You\" (fatty, sugary foods), \"Better for You\" (lower-calorie or lower-fat versions), and \"Good for You\" (nutritious foods like oatmeal and hummus). During an era when cities were imposing taxes on sugary drinks, PepsiCo's focus on soda diminished. Coca-Cola, meanwhile, was shifting its focus towards a \"total beverage company\" with 32 billion-dollar brands and shedding low-margin bottling plants. Despite having fewer billion-dollar brands, PepsiCo generates more revenue than Coca-Cola and boasts a larger product range. However, the days of the cola wars have seen a decline in focus, which has affected PepsiCo's performance.",
  "summary": "Also: All the news and watercooler chat from Fortune.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}