**1. History and Acquisitions:**
– Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton in Columbus, Georgia.
– Asa Griggs Candler purchased the formula and brand in 1892, forming the Coca-Cola Company.
– Coca-Cola acquired Minute Maid in 1960, Columbia Pictures in 1982, Thums Up in 1993, Barqs in 1995, Odwalla in 2001, and Fuze Beverage in 2007.
– The company acquired Costa Coffee in 2018, Topo Chico in 2017, Monster Beverage stake in 2014, and Suja Life LLC in 2015.
**2. Revenue and Sales:**
– Coca-Cola products are sold in over 200 countries, with more than 1.3 billion daily servings.
– In 2010, Coca-Cola became the first brand to surpass £1 billion in annual UK grocery sales.
– Sales were down 11% in 2017 due to shifting consumer preferences away from sugary drinks.
– Revenue and net income have fluctuated over the years, with varying employee numbers.
– The company’s stock price has shown fluctuations over the years.
**3. Expansion, Operations, and Manufacturing:**
– The Coca-Cola Company operates a franchised distribution system since 1889.
– It owns its anchor bottler in North America, Coca-Cola Refreshments.
– Acquisitions have expanded the company’s portfolio globally.
– The company has subsidiaries in various regions, including Africa and Australia.
– Coca-Cola produces syrup concentrate, and bottlers worldwide produce finished products.
**4. Innovation, Marketing, and Distribution:**
– Coca-Cola has a long history of innovative marketing strategies.
– The company has invested in various beverage brands to diversify its product line.
– Strategic partnerships and acquisitions have been key to Coca-Cola’s growth.
– The company has adapted its offerings to meet changing consumer preferences.
– Bottlers sell, distribute, and merchandise Coca-Cola products, with accelerated refranchising to consolidate bottling operations.
**5. Stock and Shareholders:**
– Coca-Cola has been publicly traded since 1919, listed on NYSE under ticker symbol KO.
– One share purchased in 1919 for $40 would be worth $9.8 million in 2012.
– Coca-Cola has paid dividends since 1920, increasing it for 57 consecutive years by 2019.
– Top shareholders in early 2024 included Berkshire Hathaway, The Vanguard Group, BlackRock, State Street Corporation, and others.
– Remaining shareholders accounted for 62.2% ownership, with bottlers having exclusive contracts to produce and distribute the finished product.
The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational corporation founded in 1892. It produces Coca-Cola. The drink industry company also manufactures, sells, and markets other non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups, and alcoholic beverages. The company's stock is listed on the NYSE and is part of the DJIA and the S&P 500 and S&P 100 indexes.
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 Coca-Cola headquarters in Atlanta | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| ISIN | US1912161007 |
| Industry | Beverage |
| Founded | January 29, 1892, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Founder | Asa Griggs Candler |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Brands | List of Coca-Cola brands |
| Revenue |  US$45.8 billion (2023) |
| US$11.3 billion (2023) | |
| US$10.7 billion (2023) | |
| Total assets | US$97.7 billion (2023) |
| Total equity | US$27.5 billion (2023) |
| Owners |
|
Number of employees | 79,100 (2023) |
| Subsidiaries | List of subsidiaries |
| Website | coca-colacompany |
| Footnotes / references | |
The soft drink was developed in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton. At the time it was introduced, the product contained cocaine from coca leaves and caffeine from kola nuts which together acted as a stimulant. The coca and the kola are the source of the product name, and led to Coca-Cola's promotion as a "healthy tonic". Pemberton had been severely wounded in the American Civil War, and had become addicted to the pain medication morphine. He developed the beverage as a patent medicine in an effort to control his addiction.
In 1889, the formula and brand were sold for $2,300 (roughly $71,000 in 2022) to Asa Griggs Candler, who incorporated the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta in 1892. The company has operated a franchised distribution system since 1889. The company largely produces syrup concentrate, which is then sold to various bottlers throughout the world who hold exclusive territories. The company owns its anchor bottler in North America, Coca-Cola Refreshments.