| What do RC
Cola, Nehi and have in common? RC was originated in Columbus,
Ga. in 1905, by Claud A. Hatcher, a young pharmacist. His idea was
to supply the family grocery store with drinks that he would
produce. Royal Crown Cola was the first name Mr. Hatcher decided to
call his first line of beverages, and the first cola was named "Chero-Cola."
He also produced Royal Crown Ginger Ale, Royal Crown Strawberry and
Royal Crown Root Beer.
With growing sales through 1912, Mr. Hatcher formed the Chero-Cola
Co., which, at that time was essentially a basement bottling
operation. In 1928 he renamed the company Nehi Corporation, after
the successful line of fruity beverages he had developed.
Claud Hatcher passed away in 1933, causing the Vice President,
H.R. Mott, to take control of the company. Mr. Mott streamlined the
organization and set out to reformulation of the classic Chero-Cola
into a more refreshing beverage. After six months, with the work of
company chemist Rufas, the new cola was introduced using the name of
Claud Hatcher’s original name, Royal Crown.
Royal Crown Cola, later RC Cola, was such a success that the company
was renamed Royal Crown Cola Co., and by 1940, the line of beverages
that was to be sold in the Hatcher family grocery store, was now
sold in 47 of the 48 states. By 1954 Royal Crown Cola was the first
soft drink company to distribute their product nationally.
According to it’s new owners, “The RC Cola brand was acquired in
October 2000 by London-based Cadbury Schweppes plc. Today, RC Cola
continues under the ownership of Plano, Texas-based
Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc., the largest beverage subsidiary of Cadbury
Schweppes plc. “
Here’s a link to the Dr. Pepper, Seven-Up website. |
