PepsiCo buys probiotic soda Poppi for $1.95 billion after rapid social-media rise
Poppi, the Texas-origin probiotic soda founded by Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, was acquired by PepsiCo for $1.95 billion after surpassing $500 million in annual sales.
Allison Ellsworth created a probiotic soda in her Texas kitchen to address personal digestive issues, later co-founding Poppi with her husband Stephen. After selling the drink at farmers’ markets, a 2018 appearance on Shark Tank secured a $400,000 investment from Rohan Oza while she was nine months pregnant. The brand used TikTok videos and influencer collaborations to build a following, launching officially in March 2020 and eventually offering 16 flavors in over 120 U.S. retailers.
By 2024, Poppi reported more than $500 million in revenue and attracted celebrity investors such as Olivia Munn and Post Malone. In 2025 PepsiCo acquired the company for $1.95 billion, a deal that included an $8.9 million settlement over disputed digestive-health marketing claims.
Why it matters
The acquisition illustrates how a niche health drink can scale to a multibillion-dollar exit, underscoring social media’s role in modern consumer brands.
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