Origins: Mr. Pibb

Mr. Pibb is a carbonated soft drink that was created as a competitor to the popular beverage Dr Pepper. The origins of Mr. Pibb can be traced back to the 1970s when The Coca-Cola Company sought to introduce a new product to rival the success of Dr Pepper.

In 1972, Coca-Cola launched a new beverage called "Peppo" in the United States, hoping to capture a portion of the market dominated by Dr Pepper. However, Peppo did not perform as well as expected, and Coca-Cola decided to reformulate and rebrand the product.

In 1973, Coca-Cola introduced a revised version of Peppo called "Mr. Pibb." The drink was marketed as having a flavor profile similar to Dr Pepper, aiming to appeal to consumers who enjoyed that particular taste. Mr. Pibb contained a blend of fruit flavors, with a particular emphasis on cherry and cola notes.

The name "Mr. Pibb" was chosen as a distinctive and memorable moniker for the beverage. It was believed to convey a sense of personality and character, much like the name "Dr Pepper" did for its competitor. The branding and packaging of Mr. Pibb featured a bold red and white color scheme, with a stylized logo that incorporated the drink's name.

Over the years, Mr. Pibb underwent some changes and variations. In 2001, The Coca-Cola Company rebranded Mr. Pibb as "Pibb Xtra," modifying the formula slightly and introducing a new logo. Pibb Xtra aimed to offer a bolder flavor and compete in the market alongside other popular soft drinks.

Although Mr. Pibb and its subsequent iterations have enjoyed a loyal following, Dr Pepper has maintained a dominant position in the market. Dr Pepper, unlike Mr. Pibb, is owned by the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, which is separate from The Coca-Cola Company.

It's worth noting that the availability of Mr. Pibb or Pibb Xtra can vary by region. The brand's presence and popularity may differ depending on the market and the specific distribution agreements in place.

In summary, Mr. Pibb originated as a rebranding and reformulation of the unsuccessful Peppo beverage launched by The Coca-Cola Company. It was introduced in 1973 as a competitor to Dr Pepper, featuring a similar flavor profile. Over time, the brand evolved into Pibb Xtra, but Dr Pepper has remained the dominant player in the market.

I used to say "It goes down good and comes up better!" Referring to the copious burps from drinking Mr. Pibb, LOL.

Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model