It's been 100+ years since Claude Hatcher, a young graduate pharmacist in Columbus, Georgia, began creating soft drinks in the basement of his family's wholesale grocery business in 1905.
Little did he know at the time - that his humble experiments would grow into a great soft drink company that's still driven today by the same innovative, entrepreneurial spirit. For a virtual tour of Royal Crown's rich history, scroll the page down.
Birth of a Business
The Company’s first cola product was Chero-Cola. Other early products included Royal Crown Ginger Ale, Royal Crown Strawberry, and Royal Crown Root Beer. Sales grew and in 1912, the Company began to sell syrups and flavor concentrates to franchised bottlers, which gave birth to the Royal Crown franchise system. Today it’s a worldwide force of Royal Crown bottlers, distributors, and of course, consumers that stretches around the globe.
Famous Fruity Flavors
One of Royal Crown's most beloved lines of fruit flavors was created in 1924. Claude Hatcher overheard a salesman describing a competitor's bottle as knee-high. The words captured Hatcher's imagination, and the Nehi brand of Grape, Orange, Root Beer, and other flavors was launched. Today, Nehi is marketed internationally under the name Royal Crown and RCQ Flavors.
RC Cola Is Launched
In 1934, Chero-Cola was reformulated and launched under the name of Royal Crown Cola. The new product became an instant triumph. People loved the new cola taste calling it, "Pure. Delicious. Refreshing." Consumers soon began to affectionately call it by the nickname of RC Cola.
The Diet Revolution
1962 brought an unexpected cola revolution with the launch of Diet Rite Cola. Originally marketed as a special dietary soft drink for diabetics and those on restricted diets, Diet Rite soon took off with the masses who were counting their calories. In just 18 months, Diet Rite easily became the number four cola in the United States.
Royal Crown Grows Overseas
Throughout the 1970s, Royal Crown made a serious commitment to overseas development. Royal Crown's strong growth is partly due to the immense size of the world cola market. In the U.S., colas dominate 60% of the market, and most countries are fast approaching that same number. Royal Crown International's ability to innovate and adapt has helped achieve a very competitive position in various markets throughout the world.
Providing the Best for our Customers
Royal Crown International is proud of our products and unique heritage. Together with our bottlers and distributors, we maintain the same innovative approach established by the Company's pioneers. Our goal today is the same as it was in 1905 - to provide the best possible products at the best possible price - promptly and courteously to customers worldwide.
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History