Coca-Cola discontinued the Mr. Pibb brand in 2001 and replaced it with Pibb Xtra.
A USA TODAY reporter gave up Coca-Cola’s cold turkey. It turned out like this.
USA TODAY reporter Julia Gomez used to consume about two to three sodas a day, but after quitting Coca-Cola, she noticed a big change.
Mr. Piv is making a comeback.
The Coca-Cola Company announced on October 31 that it would reintroduce Mr. Pibb, 24 years after discontinuing the brand in favor of Pibb Extra.
The revived Mr. Piv will contain 30 percent more caffeine than Piv Extra, according to a news release. The soft drink also has a new tagline: “A Bold Kick of Cherry” with an “intense sweet cherry flavor with a hint of caramel and a lingering spicy finish.”
“When Mr. Piv first launched, the packaging didn’t tell consumers what it was. It told consumers what it wasn’t. It wasn’t Root Beer or Coke,” Coca-Cola Sparkling Flavors Director Dane Callis said in a news release. “It’s unique and original, a bold rebellion against normative categories. While nothing our fans know and love about Mr. Pibb is gone, we have taken steps to modernize the look to suit new consumer tastes and preferences.”
When will the rebranded Mr. Pibb be available?
Mr. Piv and Mr. Piv Zero Sugar are currently available in markets in Florida, Chicago, Las Vegas, Michigan and California, Coca-Cola said. The national rollout of the rebrand is expected to begin in early 2026.
Mr. Piv and Mr. Piv Zero will be sold in 12-ounce 12-packs and 20-ounce bottles, the company said. Mr Pibb is also available in 2 liter bottles.
Breakdown: How is Mr. Pibb different from Pibb Xtra?
In addition to having more caffeine, the revamped Mr. Piv has 10 grams more sugar and therefore more calories. Here’s how Mr Pibb differs from the Pibb Xtra currently available in stores.
If you can’t see the table in your browser, go to infogram.com/1pp9jez2xqdmenurgq7rmlyd0qhzlx37m9q.
When did Pib-san disappear?
Mr. Pibb was first introduced in 1972 as a competitor to Dr. Pepper. At that time, the soft drink was called Peppo. However, in the same year, Coca-Cola changed the brand name to Pibb after Dr. Pepper sued its parent company for trademark infringement.
In 2001, Coca-Cola discontinued the Mr. Piv brand and replaced it with Piv Extra. The improved soft drink was marketed as having a stronger cinnamon and cherry flavor than its predecessor.
Although the Pibb Extra name has remained for the past 24 years, Coca-Cola has recently begun using the “Mr. Pibb” name in marketing to gain support from the soft drink’s top fans.
Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
