The World's Largest Hotel Company Just Ditched Its Soda Brand After 34 Years — Here's What Replaced It
Marriott International is switching from Pepsi to Coca-Cola across all 9,800 properties worldwide, ending a partnership that started in 1992.
Marriott International is dropping Pepsi after 34 years and replacing it with Coca-Cola across its entire global portfolio of more than 9,800 properties in 145 countries. The transition begins this summer and will roll out on a staggered schedule as local bottler relationships and regional availability allow.
The switch will touch nearly 1.78 million hotel rooms and an estimated 450 million room nights per year. Coca-Cola products will appear in restaurants, bars, lobby markets, meeting facilities, pool areas, and vending machines at every Marriott brand — including the company's growing roster of all-inclusive resorts under Marriott All-Inclusive, JW Marriott All-Inclusive, Westin All-Inclusive, and W Hotels All-Inclusive.
Why the Change?
Marriott cited guest preference as the driving factor. More than 70% of Marriott Bonvoy loyalty members surveyed said they preferred Coca-Cola products over Pepsi. The original Pepsi deal dates back to 1992, when Marriott was seeking a financial package that included below-market loans worth up to $100 million. Coca-Cola declined, and PepsiCo stepped in with a better financial offer to lock up the exclusive contract.
For guests at Marriott's all-inclusive properties, where beverages are included in the nightly rate, the change means a complete overhaul of the drink menu. Expect to see Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta replacing their Pepsi counterparts at pool bars, beachside restaurants, and buffet stations across the Caribbean and Mexico.
