Royal Crown Cola International Today
Major Milestones

1905

Mr. Claud Hatcher, Founder, Established the “Union Bottling Works” in Columbus, Georgia in the basement of the wholesale grocery business of his family.

1910

The first line of fruit flavored beverages was named Royal Crown and the first cola drink was called Chero-Cola.

1912

Started to manufacture a line of syrups and flavor concentrates and established a franchised system by licensing sales territories to its bottlers under trademarks of the now Chero-Cola Co.

1925

Over 300 bottlers were part of the bottling network producing Chero-Cola. 263 of these bottlers also produced the fruit flavored products under the new brand Nehi.

1928

The Company changes its name to The Nehi Corporation.

1933

Mr. Claud Hatcher died on December 31st.

1934

Chero-Cola is reformulated and the new product is named Royal Crown Cola.

1940

The Nehi Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

1940

The Company first uses results of blind taste tests in the advertising campaign “Best by Taste Test”.

1946

The Company began to enhance its advertising by using entertainment celebrities like Bing Crosby, Joan Crawford, and Hedy Lamarr.

1958

Company changes name for the third time to Royal Crown Cola Company.

2000

Royal Crown Cola Co. is acquired by Cadbury Schweppes.

2001

Royal Crown Cola International is acquired by Cott Corporation.

2005

Royal Crown Cola Co. commemorated its 100th Anniversary.