RC Cola

RC Cola (short for Royal Crown Cola) is an American brand of cola formulated by Claud A. Hatcher in 1905. Royal Crown Ginger Ale was the first product of the RC line, and it referred to the original ingredient: ginger. RC Cola went through various name changes including Chero-Cola and Nehi, Inc. before becoming Royal Crown after the death of Claud A. Hatcher. More flavors were introduced under the RC Cola name including lemon, strawberry, and cane sugar. In the 1950s, Royal Crown company was leading the beverage industry to sell the first canned soft drinks, followed by the first caffeine-free cola. In 1958, RC Cola became available in 16 ounce bottles. Despite the company's innovation and mass advertising campaigns, total revenue was low due to a lack of initiative in distribution. RC Cola is owned and distributed by RC Global Beverages Inc. for international markets and Keurig Dr Pepper for the United States. History In 1901, the Cole-Hampton-Hatcher Grocery Store was established in Columbus, Georgia. In 1903, the Hatcher family took sole ownership and the name was changed to the Hatcher Grocery Store. The grocery store was located at what was 22 West 10th Street. Today's address (after house number changes) is 15 West 10th Street. At the same time, the popularity of bottled soft drinks rose rapidly, and grocery store owners wished to maximize their profit. As a grocery wholesaler, Claud A. Hatcher purchased a large volume of Coca-Cola syrup from the local company salesman, Columbus Roberts. Hatcher felt that the company deserved a special reduced price for the syrup since it purchased such large volumes. Roberts would not budge on the cost, and a bitter conflict between the two erupted. Hatcher told Roberts he would win the battle by never purchasing any more Coca-Cola, and was determined to develop his own soft drink formula. He started developing products in the basement of the store with a recipe for ginger ale.