U.S.FOLLOW-UP

KFC's Coke Deal Starts in January; Pepsi Loses a Decades-Old Partner

The deal takes effect in January, with Coca-Cola replacing PepsiCo at thousands of U.S. KFC restaurants after a decades-long partnership; your bucket's fountain is about to change.

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on BBN Tonight
Published 7:34 PM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

At a glance

First reported by WSJ: “KFC to Ditch Pepsi for Coke in Thousands of Restaurants”, with reporting from Newsmax.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 7:34 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

WSJKFC to Ditch Pepsi for Coke in Thousands of Restaurants
NewsmaxKFC Ends Decades Long Pepsi Partnership

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe KFC switch now has a start date: January, when Coca-Cola replaces PepsiCo at thousands of the chain's U.S. restaurants, ending a partnership that has run for decades.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNewsmax calls it a major victory for Coke in the long rivalry, while the Wall Street Journal framed it as a setback for Pepsi as it struggles to revive sales of its signature soft drinks.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo by New Year's, your bucket comes with a new fizzy friend, and I say that is a growth opportunity for everyone's taste buds.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorDecades of loyalty, Vera, and it ends over a fountain contract. Somewhere a Pepsi syrup tank is being told it's not a good fit.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA syrup tank.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorHank, it's called closure.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's called January. Order the chicken, Vera, and ask for a refill before they change the cups.