Coca-Cola’s leadership change. PepsiCo’s post-activist playbook. KDP’s upcoming strategic re-organization. The commoditization of bottled and sparkling water. MAHA’s regulatory shakeup. Refocusing the consumer on sports drinks. As we start 2026, Duane Stanford and John Sicher dive into the hottest industry inflection points.

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Beverage Digest Editor & Publisher Duane Stanford and industry expert John Sicher are joined by Tim Harms, CEO of fountain soft drink deal negotiator Enliven, to break down the mystery behind exclusive beverage supply deals at restaurants. How are these deals constructed? How do brand portfolios influence decision making? They also explore what drives consumers in the fountain and food service channel: customization, modern beverages like Poppi, digital ordering, and more.

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Alcohol is under pressure—from shifting consumption trends and rising health concerns to a loss of marketing relevance. In today's Episode, RBC Capital Markets analyst Nik Modi joins Duane Stanford (Beverage Digest Editor & Publisher) and John Sicher (Industry Expert, Consultant) to unpack the causes behind the persistent sales decline across beer, wine, and spirits. Are the problems cyclical (the economy) or structural (people are simply drinking less)? What lessons can alcohol brands learn from soda’s decline and reckoning? What does this mean for companies like Coke and PepsiCo and their bottlers, which are looking for growth in the alcoholic beverage sector. And how will functionality, occasion-based marketing, and cross-category consolidation fit into the future? Modi makes a bold prediction on the latter.

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