PiBB was created as a direct response to the growing popularity of Dr Pepper in the Southern markets. The Coca-Cola Company, wanting to tap into the success of Dr Pepper, set out to create a beverage that could rival its taste and appeal. This was in the summer of 1972, when the idea for PiBB was born.
Interestingly, the journey to finding a name for this new drink was not an easy one. Initially, Coca-Cola used the name “Peppo” for their creation. However, this led to a lawsuit filed by the manufacturers of Dr Pepper, who argued that the name was too similar and could cause confusion among consumers. Ultimately, Coke lost the lawsuit and had to come up with a new name for their beverage.
After the legal battle, Coca-Cola settled on the name “Mr. PiBB” for their Dr Pepper competitor. It is worth noting that Dr Pepper had been around for much longer, having been created in the 1880s. So, in terms of timeline, Dr Pepper predates Mr. PiBB.
However, it is important to understand that Mr. PiBB was specifically developed as a response to the success of Dr Pepper. The Coca-Cola Company recognized the growing demand for a similar flavor profile and wanted to offer their own version to compete in the market. Thus, while Dr Pepper may have come first chronologically, Mr. PiBB was a deliberate effort to create a rival product.
In my personal experience as a sommelier and brewer, I have witnessed the ongoing battle between beverage companies to create products that can capture the attention and taste preferences of consumers. It is not uncommon for companies to develop new beverages in response to the success of existing ones, as was the case with Mr. PiBB and Dr Pepper.
While Dr Pepper may have been created before Mr. PiBB, it was the intention and purpose behind the creation of Mr. PiBB that sets it apart. It was specifically designed as a competitor to Dr Pepper, aiming to offer consumers an alternative choice with a similar flavor profile.