When it comes to soda, the two biggest names in the game are undoubtedly Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. But did you know that there was once a brand called Double Cola that could have given them a run for their money?
The origins of Double Cola date all the way back to 1933, when it was developed by Seminole Flavor Company. The product soon became the company's flagship, thanks in part to its distinctive 12-ounce bottles that were twice the size of most other soda bottles at the time.
However, during World War II's sugar rationing, Seminole faced a major challenge. Despite the shortages, the company continued bottling Double-Cola in the larger bottles, which hurt production but also hurt one of its biggest competitors in the area – PepsiCo.
Interestingly, Seminole had a chance to buy PepsiCo during this period but refused, in what would become one of the biggest blunders in soda history. Instead, the company's owner preferred to move forward with the cola Seminole had already established, and ultimately this decision cost them dearly. PepsiCo managed to escape bankruptcy and move ahead of Seminole.
In 1953, Seminole changed its name to The Double Cola Company as it is known today. But with that one major decision not to buy PepsiCo, the course of soda history was forever altered. Just imagine – we could all be sitting on our porches drinking either an RC Royal Crown Cola or a Double Cola instead of a Coke or Pepsi if things had gone just slightly differently.
While RC Royal Crown and Coca-Cola were having public taste test challenges and legal battles, the real secret cola wars were being fought behind the scenes. It just goes to show that even the biggest brands can be vulnerable to a single misstep.
So, next time you crack open a Coke or a Pepsi, raise a glass to the forgotten brand that could have been a contender – Double Cola.
