PepsiCo vs Starbucks

PepsiCo launches Gen Z snack brand Chester's in Germany

PepsiCo is launching its snack brand Chester's in Germany, targeting Gen Z consumers. The initial products include Chester's Original Käse and Chester's Zigzag Paprika. The introduction is supported by a social-first campaign developed by Berlin agency Departd, focusing on the brand mascot 'Chesters Cheetah' for recognition. Marketing efforts include social media (especially TikTok), creator collaborations, in-store activations, out-of-home advertising, and a launch event in Cologne. The brand aims to appeal to younger audiences seeking variety and personality in snacks. Distribution will be across food retail, discounters, wholesale, e-commerce, and kiosks. This launch expands PepsiCo's existing portfolio in Germany, which includes Pepsi, Lay's, Doritos, Lipton, Gatorade, 7Up, Rockstar Energy, and Sodastream.

• PepsiCo launches Chester's snack brand in Germany targeting Gen Z.
• Initial products: Chester's Original Käse and Chester's Zigzag Paprika.
• Campaign created by Berlin agency Departd, focused on social media and influencer marketing.

PepsiCo fakes name change for corporate brand campaign

PepsiCo has launched its first-ever corporate brand campaign, titled "House of Brands," using a social media fake-out to generate attention. The company spent several days hinting at a new corporate name, only to reveal it would remain PepsiCo. The campaign aims to unify its portfolio of brands under the corporate identity. The article is paywalled, and the full content details are limited, but this core event is confirmed.

• PepsiCo launched its first corporate brand campaign.
• The campaign is titled 'House of Brands'.
• PepsiCo faked a corporate name change to promote the campaign.

WPP Wins Coca-Cola Global Media, Publicis Shifts to PepsiCo

WPP is set to win Coca-Cola's global media, data, and tech business, a significant win for CEO Cindy Rose as she works to turn the holding company around. Publicis, the only other contender, dropped out early to focus on PepsiCo's global media account, leaving WPP unopposed. Despite topping JP Morgan's new business rankings, WPP's like-for-like net sales declined 4.7% in the first half, and questions remain about its AI platform WPP Open's effectiveness. The article analyzes WPP's strategic choices, including skipping Coke's North American business, and compares its position to Publicis, which can afford to walk away from pitches due to past successes. Legal challenges, including a whistleblower suit and securities class action, also loom. Overall, the win provides a chance for WPP to prove its turnaround, though it still faces structural and cultural hurdles.

• WPP is set to win Coca-Cola's global media, data, and tech business.
• Publicis walked away from the Coca-Cola pitch to win PepsiCo's global media business.
• WPP's like-for-like net sales declined 4.7% in the first half of the year.

Freshly brewed coffee on demand: How the innovative Clover Vertica is changing Starbucks coffeehouses

It’s quietly transforming the brewing experience at company-owned Starbucks coffeehouses across the U.S., giving customers French press-quality coffee on-demand, with six coffees to choose from and a freshly made cup in 30 seconds or less.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for Starbucks (2026-07-29)

Starbucks Corporation reported its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 ended June 28, 2026. Consolidated net revenues decreased 1.4% year-over-year to $9.32 billion, primarily driven by the deconsolidation and conversion of 7,991 company-operated stores in China into a licensed joint venture with Boyu Capital, which closed on March 30, 2026. This top-line headwind was partially offset by strong global comparable store sales growth of 7.9% (including an 8.1% comp growth in North America) driven by transaction and ticket gains. Operating income expanded to $980.4 million with operating margins reaching 10.5%, aided by sales leverage and tariff refunds under IEEPA ruling. Net earnings attributable to Starbucks surged 87.2% to $1.05 billion ($0.91 diluted EPS), substantially boosted by a pre-tax net gain of $536.3 million from the China retail divestiture. Proceeds from the divestiture supported the cash tender repurchase of approximately $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes.

• Starbucks closed its China joint venture divestiture with Boyu Capital on March 30, 2026, selling a 60% stake for $3.1 billion total consideration while retaining a 40% interest, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $536.3 million and converting 7,991 company-operated stores into licensed stores.
• Global comparable store sales increased by 7.9% in Q3 FY26, driven by a 4.2% increase in comparable transactions and a 3.6% increase in average ticket in the U.S. market.
• Net earnings attributable to Starbucks rose to $1,045.3 million ($0.91 diluted EPS) in Q3 FY26 compared to $558.3 million ($0.49 diluted EPS) in Q3 FY25.

Thursday's Market Movers: Earnings, Data, Treasury Yields

CNBC's Stocks @ Night newsletter previews key events likely to move the market in the next trading session. The Dow fell over 400 points on Wednesday. On Thursday, investors will watch interviews with Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, Freeport-McMoRan CEO Kathleen Quirk, and the release of weekly jobless claims and producer price index data. U.S. Treasury yields hit multi-year highs, with the 2-year at its highest since July 2024 and the 10-year since November 2023. Macy's and Oracle are scheduled to report earnings, while HP hit a 52-week high. Energy stocks are surging as Brent crude topped $100 a barrel, with ConocoPhillips, Marathon Petroleum, Chevron, Phillips 66, and Valero hitting highs.

• Dow Industrials slid just over 400 points.
• Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol will appear on 'Squawk Box'; stock up 30% since he took over.
• Weekly jobless claims and PPI data due Thursday; consensus for claims at 205,000 and PPI 0.4% month-over-month.