Coca-Cola and the Beverage Breakthrough
Part 3 of a 30-Part Series
The next big leap in franchising came in the late 1800s—this time with something fizzy.
Coca-Cola, founded in 1886, didn’t bottle its drinks initially. Instead, it was served fresh from soda fountains. But as demand grew, so did the challenge: how do you distribute Coke to every corner of the country?
Enter franchising.
Rather than build bottling plants itself, Coca-Cola sold exclusive rights to regional bottlers, who were responsible for production, distribution, and local marketing. By the early 1900s, more than 1,000 bottlers had emerged under this system.
These partners didn’t just sell Coke—they were invested stakeholders, running their own profitable businesses under a shared, iconic brand.
Coca-Cola’s bottling model was a masterclass in scalable growth. It also proved that franchising wasn’t just for hard goods—it could work for consumables, too. And it set the stage for the food and beverage franchise explosion to come.
So next time you crack open a cold one, remember: you’re sipping on franchise history.
Coke, coffee, both delicious.
One of the food and beverage franchises we represent is a coffee and beverage location offering great variety in drinks and food with a franchise model that focuses on support, operations and profitability.
It isn’t just another coffee shop—it’s a well-oiled operation with a focus on premium drinks, genuine customer service, and a business model built for scalability. With flexible formats like single- or double-sided drive-thrus and cafe hybrids, the brand is designed to meet the needs of today’s fast-moving consumers while delivering a consistent, high-quality experience.
The opportunity is available for single-unit ownership or area development, giving candidates options based on their goals. Owners benefit from multiple revenue streams including drive-thru, in-store sales, mobile orders, and rewards programs that build customer loyalty.
Franchise owners aren’t just opening a coffee shop—they’re joining a brand that’s rooted in connection, supported by a powerful team, and driven by systems proven across 100+ locations. The business comes with comprehensive training, hands-on support, a national marketing strategy, and real estate guidance to help franchisees open strong and scale confidently.
