The Coca-Cola Company was founded in 1886 by pharmacist John Pemberton and later became a major high-market-cap beverage company.
Pemberton developed the original Coca-Cola formula in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1886. The beverage was first sold at a pharmacy soda fountain, and businessman Asa Griggs Candler later acquired rights to the formula and built the large-scale company and brand.
The modern Coca-Cola Company sells a broad portfolio of beverages, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, and Dasani. Its market value reflects more than fizzy-drink sales: investors also value its international distribution, bottling relationships, advertising assets, and globally recognized trademarks.
A common mix-up is between the company and its flagship product. The company is The Coca-Cola Company, while Coca-Cola is its best-known beverage brand. PepsiCo is a separate public company with a different portfolio and a major snacks business.