Which beverage company did PepsiCo acquire in 1998 to expand its juice business?

PepsiCo acquired Tropicana Products in 1998 to expand its juice business.

Tropicana was founded by Anthony T. Rossi, who developed a major orange-juice business in Florida. PepsiCo purchased the company from Seagram in 1998, adding a well-known refrigerated juice brand to its portfolio beyond soft drinks and snacks.

The acquisition strengthened PepsiCo’s position in breakfast beverages and gave it a major rival to Coca-Cola’s Minute Maid business. Tropicana became especially associated with chilled orange juice, although the brand has also sold other juice products.

A common mix-up is confusing Tropicana with Quaker Oats or Gatorade. PepsiCo obtained Quaker Oats and Gatorade through its 2001 acquisition of The Quaker Oats Company. Tropicana was a separate 1998 deal and was later sold by PepsiCo in 2021.