I don't think I have ever blogged before about how odd I find Lincoln's passion for Pepsi over Coke. When I travel, it seems like Coke products are the default pretty much everywhere, and by a wide margin. Not in Lincoln. I've never done a census, but sometimes it seems like Pepsi's lead in terms of restaurant contracts is 70-30. The margin probably isn't that big. Still, it's much easier to get a Pepsi in this town than a Coke.
Now Matt Olberding tells us that our new theater owners are Pepsi people. Marcus has to honor Douglas's current contract with Coke, but whenever that expires you'll get/have to enjoy a Pepsi with your popcorn.
I wonder why we're such a Pepsi town? Surely UNL's contract with Pepsi has something to do with it, but that's a chicken-and-egg circle. Is Pepsi cheaper for businesses? Is the service better?
I wouldn't care who served which pop if only Coke would put Mello Yello in more machines. You can only get Coke's version of the yellow stuff at a few places in town. Until they increase Mello Yello's distribution, I'll continue to look for the nearest Pepsi machine for my periodic dose of Mountain Dew goodness.
Comments
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I agree mellow yellow is better, although kind of a “niche” product compared to the corporately-overblown Mountain Dew. (Also good)
Strange. in the limited survey I have done (inside my own house) Coke products outnumber Pepsi products by a wide margin - 1:0. 😉
This drives me crazy. The only people I know who love this are Mountain Dew drinkers. As a Coke loyalist, it’s hard to have Pepsi at every turn.
The funny thing about Pepsi’s UNL contract is that nearly everyone I know ends up having more of a preference for Coke after spending a few years on campus.
My wild guesstimation for the day is that the areas where Pepsi is more popular overall and the areas where you generally hear “pop” overlap to a large extent.
Coke is it! I miss Royal Crown sometimes.
What I really miss is the glass bottles. It seemed to have more fizz and taste better, especially in the smaller 6 or 8 ounce bottles.
I really think the tipping point for UNL was the Mountain Dew. Coke offered more money, and more sponsorship stuff for the Huskers (playing on the “red” theme) and did a better presentation to those that were making the decision. However, they had nothing to compete with Mountain Dew, other than “Surge” at that time. We know where Surge ended up. If Coke had a viable alternative to the Dew, I think they would have nailed the University deal.
It’s just odd that nowhere on campus, or at Pershing or the Ice Box, or now the theater, can you get a Coke. Coke doesn’t have a presence at any large gathering place in town. I also agree with Mr. W who said it seems like 70% of the restaurants in Lincoln are Pepsi places, and not Coke places. I have to think at some level, it comes down to the Coke people here not being as good at sales, or as good as pricing. How else would you explain it? Nationally, Coke outsells Pepsi, and Diet Coke way outsells Diet Pepsi. Lincoln seems to be a cola anomoly.
I could really drink any kind of pop but I do lean towards Pepsi.
I thought it was really odd when I came into the U that Coke was the athletic dept. and Pepsi was the university. I was happy when the athletic dept. switched to Pepsi.
Don’t quote me, but I don’t think Coke hammers Pepsi so much in the U.S. (although they are more popular), but when it comes to globally Coke really has a big advantage/lead right now.
I must say though that my gf and I will be disappointed when Pibb Xtra (formerly Mr Pibb) isn’t offered at the movies anymore.
Anyone care to fill me in on where you can buy Pibb Xtra and Mello Yello in town? I know there are some fast food places (Arby’s comes to mind for Pibb Xtra) where you can get it, but say a guy wants it by the 12-pk or the like?
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