Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel company, has ended its 34-year beverage partnership with PepsiCo and signed a global agreement with Coca-Cola, marking one of the biggest shifts in the long-running rivalry between the two soft drink giants.
- Marriott International has ended its 34-year partnership with PepsiCo and signed a global beverage agreement with Coca-Cola.
- The new deal grants Coca-Cola exclusive access to Marriott’s 10,000 properties in 146 countries and territories worldwide.
- This shift is significant for Africa, where Marriott is rapidly expanding and Coca-Cola products will be introduced in all its properties across the continent.
- Coca-Cola will supply its beverage portfolio—including soft drinks, hydration, and functional beverages—across Marriott hotels, with a phased global rollout starting July 1.
The deal gives Coca-Cola access to one of the largest hospitality networks globally, bringing its products to the hotel group’s properties in Africa, including South Africa and Nigeria.
It also covers major markets such as the United States, China and France, across about 10,000 properties in 146 countries and territories.
Pepsi’s Three-Decade Run Ends
The hotel chain’s relationship with Pepsi dates back to 1992, when PepsiCo became its carbonated beverage provider across lobby markets, restaurants, bars and in-room dining.
At the time, the hospitality giant had switched from Coca-Cola to Pepsi after Coca-Cola reportedly declined to provide a loan of $50 million to $100 million that the company had requested.
Pepsi later renewed its agreement with Marriott in 2018, extending a relationship that had become familiar to guests across the group’s hotel brands.
However, the partnership has now ended, with the Bethesda-based company choosing Coca-Cola as its new global beverage partner.
Coca-Cola Takes Over From July 1
Marriott International and The Coca-Cola Company announced the global agreement on July 1, with a phased rollout set to continue worldwide over the coming months.
Under the deal, Coca-Cola becomes the group’s global beverage partner across several categories, including carbonated soft drinks, hydration products and functional beverages.
The rollout will begin in phases and continue worldwide over the coming months, with guests set to see Coca-Cola brands in guestrooms, restaurants, lounges, meetings and events across the company’s global portfolio.
According to the travel blog “View from the Wing,” Marriott told hotels that “The Coca-Cola portfolio is favored by more than 70% of Marriott’s guests.”
“This agreement brings together two iconic brands with a shared commitment to quality, consistency, and creating memorable experiences,” said Anthony Capuano, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International.
“We are focused on delivering the products our guests and Marriott Bonvoy Members know and love, better meeting guest preferences, and creating economic benefits for owners and franchise operators across our system. We’re excited to collaborate with The Coca-Cola Company to deliver their great products in more places.”
The agreement was developed with Hot Shoppe Services International, the hotel group’s global procurement organisation, which helps it use its scale to create value for owners and operators.
What It Means For Africa
For Africa, the switch matters because the company has continued to expand across the continent as business travel, tourism and hotel investment grow.
Its African portfolio covers nearly 150 properties and 26,000 rooms across 20 countries and 22 brands. Marriott International’s African portfolio features nearly 140 properties and over 24,000 rooms across 20 countries and 19 brands.
The group has also announced plans to add more than 50 properties and 9,000 rooms by 2027, including entries into Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Mauritania.
As a result, the Coca-Cola rollout extends beyond the United States and Europe into key African travel markets where the hotel chain is deepening its presence.
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Coca-Cola said the deal gives it a larger role in one of the world’s biggest hotel networks.
“This is a great day. On behalf of the entire Coca-Cola system, we’re excited about our future with Marriott and the opportunity to provide travelers more of the brands they love,” said Henrique Braun, CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.
“From sparkling beverages to juices, hydration and dairy, we’re offering guests options for their beverage needs throughout their entire visit.”
Marriott and Coca-Cola did not disclose the length or financial terms of the agreement.
