Does Pepsi own Starbucks? (Is Starbucks a Pepsi company? + More information)

Does Pepsi own Starbucks? That’s a question that’s common when taking one of many Starbucks ready-to-drink beverages. Read on to find out the relationship between the two.

Sometimes I don’t have time to drop by Starbucks, but a 7-11 can have a pick-me-up beverage to keep me going in a ready-to-drink bottle or can. The labeling of a brand can throw you off, which happens with Starbucks and Pepsi. You’re aware you’re drinking a Cold Brew Nitro Chilled canned drink, but why does Pepsi come up when I search about this drink and other ready-to-drink Starbucks options? That’s the question when it comes to Starbucks ready-to-drink beverages. Does that mean one owns the other?

The reality is Pepsi does not own Starbucks. The relationship between them is a partnership where each leverages their strengths. Let’s look on at how that came to be.

When did Starbucks partner with Pepsi?

Starbucks and PepsiCo came together and formed the North American Coffee Partnership (NACP) in 1994. Shareholders publicly owned the companies, with Starbucks trading under SBUCX and PepsiCo under PEP. Therefore, Pepsi does not own Starbucks. Instead, these are two separate entities that formed a relationship.

Starbucks provides the coffee expertise in the partnership, while PepsiCo sells and distributes Starbucks RTD (ready-to-drink) coffee and energy drink while leveraging its experience and expansive network. The result? A collaborative effort to market, innovate and increasingly develop the RTD coffee category under the North American Coffee Partnerships (NACP).

Pepsi and Starbucks deal to sell ready-to-drink beverages in international markets

The NACP moved from North America in 2015 when they expanded into Latin America. 10 Latin American markets became part of the Starbucks RTD coffee beverages portfolio in the following year: Mexico, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, and select Caribbean markets. In the company’s statement, their expansion throughout Latin America enables them to deliver high-quality Starbucks coffee in a convenient ready-to-drink way for customers going about their daily lives.

What drinks does Pepsi make for Starbucks?

There are 37 drinks (and expanding) that Pepsi makes for Starbucks. Starbucks provides its coffee-making know-how, and Pepsi manufactures and distributes the drink.

Table with drinks Pepsi makes for Starbucks

	Type of Drink	Flavor	Quantity
1	Frappuccino	Plain	9.5 fl oz, 13.7 fl oz
2	Frappuccino	Vanilla	9.5 fl oz, 13.7 fl oz
3	Frappuccino	Mocha	9.5 fl oz, 13.7 fl oz
4	Frappuccino	Mocha light	9.5 fl oz
5	Frappuccino	Almondmilk Mocha	9.5 fl oz, 13.7 fl oz
6	Frappuccino	Almondmilk Vanilla	13.7 fl oz
7	Frappuccino	Caramel	9.5 fl oz, 13.7 fl oz
8	Frappuccino	Caramelized Vanilla Honey	9.5 fl oz, 13.7 fl oz
9	Frappuccino	Brown Butter Caramel with Splay of Cold Brew	13.7 fl oz
10	Frappuccino	Salted Dark Chocolate	13.7 fl oz
11	Frappuccino	Toasted White Chocolate	13.7 fl oz
12	Blonde Roast	Unsweetened Iced Coffee	48 fl oz
13	Dark Roast	Unsweetened Iced Coffee	48 fl oz
14	Cold Brew	Black Sweet	11 fl oz
15	Cold Brew	Black Unsweet	11 fl oz
16	Cold Brew	Cocoa & Honey with Cream	11 fl oz
17	Cold Brew	Nitro Chilled	11 fl oz
18	Iced Espresso Classics	Almondmink Caffee Latte	40 fl oz
19	Iced Espresso Classics	Almondmilk Caffee Mocha	40 fl oz
20	Iced Espresso Classics	Caramel Macchiato	40 fl oz
21	Iced Espresso Classics	Molten Chocolate Latte	40 fl oz
22	Iced Latte	Caffe Latte	14 fl oz
23	Iced Latte	Caramel Macchiato	14 fl oz
24	Iced Latte	Molten Chocolate Latte	14 fl oz
25	Iced Latte	Salted Caramel Mocha	14 fl oz
26	Iced Latte	Smoked Butterscotch Latte	14 fl oz
27	Medium Roast	Subtly Sweet Iced Coffee	48 fl oz
28	Medium Roast	Unsweetened Iced Coffee	48 fl oz
29	Doubleshot Energy	Coffee	15 fl oz
30	Doubleshot Energy	Hazelnut	15 fl oz
31	Doubleshot Energy	Mocha	15 fl oz
32	Doubleshot Energy	Vanilla	15 fl oz
33	Doubleshot Energy	White Chocolate	15 fl oz
34	Tripleshot Energy	Caffe Mocha	16 fl oz
35	Tripleshot Energy	Caramel	17 fl oz
36	Tripleshot Energy	Dark Chocolate	18 fl oz
37	Tripleshot Energy	Dark Roast	19 fl oz

There are three flavored drinks that PepsiCo made in collaboration with Starbucks containing coconut water:

1. Black Cherry Limeade (12 fl oz)
2. Peach Passion Fruit (12 fl oz)
3. Strawberry Lemonade (12 fl oz)

Final thoughts

Pepsi and Starbucks have proven to be the largest and most profitable partnership in the ready-to-drink beverage market. It is a testament to what partnerships between two complementing companies can achieve, including dominating over 95 percent of the ready-to-drink beverage market globally. The NACP was specific in its creation but has since moved to other territories, including Latin America, Asia Pacific countries, and Australia. Whatever the case, Starbucks and Pepsi prove to be a great partnership to keep Americans spoilt for choice with their favorite coffees.

FAQ Section

Does Pepsi make Starbucks canned drinks?

Yes, Pepsi does make Starbucks canned drinks. There are about 20 options of canned beverages available.

Is Starbucks a Pepsi company?

No, Starbucks is not a Pepsi company but an individual shareholder trading company. PepsiCo is also a separate trading company. These two companies are joint partners.

Is Starbucks BAYA energy made by Pepsi?

Yes, the Starbucks BAYA energy drink is made by Pepsi. It comes in three flavors: Mango Guava, Pineapple Passionfruit, and Raspberry Lime.