Which Atlanta businessman purchased the Coca-Cola formula and brand in 1888?

Asa Griggs Candler purchased the Coca-Cola formula and brand in 1888.

Candler was an Atlanta pharmacist and entrepreneur who acquired rights to the drink from its original creator, John Stith Pemberton. Candler did not invent Coca-Cola, but he transformed it from a locally sold pharmacy beverage into a widely marketed branded product.

Under Candler’s direction, the company invested heavily in advertising, distribution, coupons, and branded serving equipment. These methods helped establish Coca-Cola as a national soft drink in the United States. The Coca-Cola Company itself was incorporated later, in 1892.

A common mix-up is identifying Candler as the inventor. Pemberton developed the beverage in 1886, while Candler became the principal owner and commercial force behind its expansion. Candler eventually sold the company in 1919 to a group led by Ernest Woodruff.