StocksMedium•17 October 2026•
1 min read
KFC Ends Historic Pepsi Partnership, Switches to Coca-Cola in US
Key Facts
1KFC announced it will begin replacing Pepsi products with Coca-Cola across all 3,700 US locations starting in January 2027.
2The move ends a partnership dating back to 1986 when PepsiCo acquired KFC before later spinning it off in 1997.
KFC announced it will begin replacing Pepsi products with Coca-Cola across all 3,700 US locations starting in January 2027. Reuters reported that the move ends a partnership dating back to 1986 when PepsiCo acquired KFC before later spinning it off in 1997, and the decision is part of a broader effort to revitalize the brand and restaurant experience.
YUM shares closed at $150.51 on October 16, 2026, while Coca-Cola (KO) shares closed at $93.9 on the same date. Meanwhile, PepsiCo (PEP) closed at $131.49 on October 16, 2026, amid assessments that the shift represents a significant market share win for Coca-Cola and a loss for PepsiCo in the food service channel.