HereWeGo
April 7, 2026 • 3 min read
Marriott has made the significant decision to switch its exclusive beverage supplier from Pepsi to Coca-Cola after 34 years, reflecting customer preferences for Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola Takes Over from Pepsi at Marriott
Coca-Cola has been selected as the exclusive beverage supplier for Marriott’s extensive network of over 9,800 hotels worldwide, encompassing nearly 1.78 million rooms across 145 countries. This marks a major shift from the previous agreement with Pepsi that began in 1992.
A Major Change Ahead
This transition will impact approximately 450 million hotel nights at Marriott properties. When Marriott first partnered with Pepsi in 1992, few anticipated that Pepsi would eventually be overshadowed by Coca-Cola. The primary reason for this change is that Marriott secured a more favorable financial deal after Coca-Cola opted not to provide below-market loans ranging from $50 million to $100 million.
Hotels to Benefit from New Agreement
If Marriott earns just 5 cents per room night, this could translate to around $22.5 million, not including additional revenue from restaurants, bars, conferences, or catering services. Coca-Cola will offer support through syrup pricing, volume discounts, branded equipment, and marketing funds to assist Marriott.
Customers Favor Coca-Cola
This news is particularly promising for Marriott, as statistics reveal that over 70% of its customers prefer Coca-Cola. In fact, it's common for guests to request Coca-Cola instead of Pepsi, with the frequent question being, "Is Pepsi okay?" when only Pepsi is available.
Pepsi Faces Challenges
While Pepsi has attempted to improve its standing, this only highlights the greater popularity of Coca-Cola. Customers tend to shy away from venues that exclusively serve Pepsi, although there is limited evidence that drink preferences influence choices in airlines and hotels.
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Airlines Are Changing Too
JetBlue currently has an exclusive deal with Pepsi that was signed in 2019. However, major airlines like Delta, American, United, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant continue to serve Coca-Cola products.
Customers Choose Their Brands
Honestly, on the rare occasions I drink soda, I would choose Coca-Cola to enjoy with a burger on a flight. If only Pepsi is available, I’d probably just stick to water.
The Rivalry Between Two Giants
Pepsi has revived its 'Pepsi Challenge' campaign in the past year, claiming that 66% of participants prefer Pepsi Zero Sugar over Coca-Cola Zero Sugar in their taste tests. However, there’s a literary concept known as the “Pepsi Paradox,” where blind taste tests show a preference for Pepsi, yet Coca-Cola maintains its brand loyalty.
What’s Behind This Change?
This situation illustrates that the difference between the initial sip and the lasting taste experience is quite pronounced. The overly sweet flavor of Pepsi seems to become less enjoyable over time.
Conclusion
This change could make the hospitality landscape more exciting, especially for consumers. While it represents a significant shift, it also reflects the desires of customers to choose their favorite beverages.
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