# PepsiCo Cuts Poppi Bonus Estimate to $12M as U.S. Soda Sales Slow

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/pepsico-cuts-poppi-bonus-estimate-to-12m-as-u-s-soda-sales-slow-491836
- Published: 2026-10-13T04:59:27Z
- Category: company_news; sentiment: bearish; impact: medium
- Symbols: [NASDAQ:PEP](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/NASDAQ-PEP), [NYSE:KO](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/NYSE-KO), [NASDAQ:KDP](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/NASDAQ-KDP)
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PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) has drastically reduced its estimated performance-based payout for prebiotic soda brand Poppi, as the brand falls short of growth milestones required for full bonus payments. A securities filing reveals PepsiCo now values these contingent payments at approximately $12 million as of September 5. That represents a steep decline from $117 million projected in June and $278 million estimated in December. PepsiCo previously acquired full ownership of Poppi for $1.9 billion in cash, plus $200 million in contingent consideration.

The lower estimate reflects wider struggles in PepsiCo's North American soft drink division, which management cited as the central gap in its third-quarter performance. While overseas sales remained strong, domestic weakness has dragged down overall results. PepsiCo shares have declined 9.56% year to date through October 9, 2026, underperforming competitors such as Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) and Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (NASDAQ:KDP), which rose 28.39% and 17.00% over the same timeframe.

Going forward, market participants will be monitoring PepsiCo's ability to fix its U.S. soft drink execution while working to boost organic growth to 3.1% through volume expansion and continued international strength.

## Key points

- PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) lowered its estimated Poppi bonus payout to about $12 million due to missed growth targets.
- The updated estimate drops sharply from $117 million reported in June and $278 million forecast in December.
- PepsiCo initially bought Poppi for $1.9 billion in cash with $200 million in contingent consideration.
- Slow U.S. soft drink sales created a domestic performance gap despite strong international demand in Q3.
- PepsiCo shares fell 9.56% year to date through October 9, 2026, trailing rival beverage makers.

## Questions and answers

### Why did PepsiCo reduce its payout estimate for Poppi?

PepsiCo lowered the estimated payout because Poppi missed the growth targets required to qualify for performance bonus payments amid a slowdown in U.S. soft drink sales.

### How much did PepsiCo pay to acquire Poppi?

PepsiCo acquired full ownership of Poppi for $1.9 billion in cash, plus up to $200 million in contingent consideration.

### How has PepsiCo stock performed compared to peers in 2026?

PepsiCo shares fell 9.56% year to date through October 9, 2026, while Coca-Cola rose 28.39% and Keurig Dr Pepper gained 17.00%.