Oct 27, 2026 · 27 min
Coke wins KFC as Zyn drives Philip Morris growth
Coke Zero Pops & Big Tobacco Goes Smokeless
The episode examines how consumer brands are reshaping familiar markets through product shifts, distribution wins, and smoke-free nicotine growth.
- 1Coca-Cola posted global volume growth and strong Coke Zero performance while U.S. sales remained flat.
- 2Coca-Cola’s KFC deal replaces Pepsi at thousands of U.S. restaurants, extending a long-running beverage rivalry.
- 3Philip Morris delivered a record quarter as Zyn expanded while cigarette use continued to decline.
Don't miss
The hosts contrast declining visible cigarette use with Philip Morris’s record quarter and the rapid expansion of Zyn nicotine pouches.
The brief
John and Emily open with Coca-Cola’s earnings beat, raised guidance, global volume growth, and strong Coke Zero performance, while noting flat U.S. sales.
Coca-Cola’s agreement to replace Pepsi at thousands of U.S. KFC restaurants turns a familiar brand rivalry into a meaningful distribution win.
The episode’s central tension arrives with Philip Morris: cigarette use is declining, but the company is growing through smoke-free products, especially Zyn nicotine pouches.
The hosts discuss production-cost pressures, geopolitical and supply-chain disruptions, and Philip Morris’s plan to add more Zyn pouches per package without raising prices.
An earnings-call quiz broadens the lens to Netflix, Hasbro, General Motors, Bank of America, and SpaceX before the show closes with market and corporate headlines.
What was said on this episode
3 statements · 2 positive · 1 negative
Topo Chico glass bottles were largely unavailable after a Mexico production problem.
“Topo Chico glass bottles have been mostly missing in stores since February after a production problem at the Mexico facility.”
Listen at 6:36
Smoke-free products account for more than 40% of Philip Morris revenue.
“the smoke-free products are now more than 40% of Philip Morris' revenue.”
Listen at 11:59
Cigarette volume is growing in Turkey, Indonesia, and Egypt, where smoke-free products are restricted.
“countries like Turkey, Indonesia, and Egypt. Cigarette volume, of course, is growing there.”
Listen at 12:33
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
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