Poppi

Poppi is a prebiotic soda brand known for its low-sugar, low-calorie beverages marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional sodas. The company was founded by the husband-and-wife team, Stephen and Allison Ellsworth. Allison, who previously worked in the oil and gas industry, began experimenting in her kitchen to create a palatable drink from apple cider vinegar (ACV) to address her own health issues. This led to the creation of Mother Beverage, which they initially sold at local farmers' markets in Texas.

The company's trajectory shifted significantly after an appearance on "Shark Tank" in 2018. Presenting as Mother Beverage, the Ellsworths secured a $400,000 investment from branding expert Rohan Oza. Following Oza's advice, the company underwent a major rebranding, changing its name to Poppi in 2020 to appeal to a younger, modern audience and repositioning the product as a "prebiotic soda" rather than an ACV drink. This strategic shift, combined with vibrant new packaging, was crucial to its subsequent growth.

Poppi's business model focuses on direct-to-consumer sales, primarily through major retailers like Whole Foods, Target, Costco, and Publix, as well as being a top seller on Amazon. The company's revenue grew exponentially, from an estimated $100 million in 2023 to $500 million in 2024. This growth was fueled by a digital-first marketing strategy, leveraging platforms like TikTok, where co-founder Allison Ellsworth's viral videos detailing her founder story generated significant sales. The brand also engaged in numerous influencer partnerships and celebrity endorsements. The product itself is a carbonated drink combining sparkling water, fruit juice, apple cider vinegar, and prebiotics from sources like agave inulin and cassava root fiber. Each can contains 35 calories or less and 5 grams of sugar or less. In March 2025, PepsiCo announced its acquisition of Poppi for approximately $1.95 billion.

Keywords: prebiotic soda, functional beverage, apple cider vinegar drink, low-sugar soda, gut health, beverage industry, CPG, Shark Tank, direct-to-consumer, digital marketing, Gen Z marketing, healthy soda alternative, Allison Ellsworth, Rohan Oza, PepsiCo acquisition, retail beverage, e-commerce beverage, influencer marketing, TikTok marketing, functional food