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On a sweltering summer evening in 1924, while most folks in Mansfield, Ohio were settling into their usual routines, Frank Stewart was cooking up something special that would change the face of American sodas forever.
The sweet, earthy aroma of his root beer drifted through the streets like a siren song, drawing people to those first humble stands where they'd lean against the counter, take that first magical sip, and become part of the history that would become Stewart’s soda.
In 1924, Frank Stewart embarked on a venture that would leave a lasting impact on the beverage industry by establishing Stewart's, a chain of root beer stands, in Mansfield, Ohio.
Stewart's soda stands established a footprint that lasted through the 1900s, with their drinks becoming a benchmark for traditional fountain sodas.
Their root beer attracted regular customers who valued its distinctive blend of flavors and the ritual of ordering at the counter.
The stands grew into neighborhood landmarks, where the act of sipping a cold soda connected people to both their community and their memories of past visits.
Stewart's sold its sodas in 12-ounce glass bottles with twist-off caps.
This packaging choice set the brand apart as it expanded beyond local markets.
The glass preserved the drinks' flavors while the familiar bottle shape reminded customers of traditional soda-making.
The practical twist-off caps made the bottles easy to open without sacrificing their classic look.
Stewart further distinguished itself by offering its flavors in both tinted amber and clear glass bottles, a visual representation of the variety and uniqueness of its soda lineup. This distinctive packaging became a hallmark of the Stewart's brand.
Cable Car Beverage Corporation acquired Stewart's bottling rights in 1990, transforming the regional restaurant chain into a national beverage distributor.
This purchase marked Stewart's shift from local restaurants to widespread soda distribution.
With the backing of Cable Car Beverage Corporation, Stewart's was able to increase its production capacity, extend its distribution network, and introduce its classic flavors to a wider audience.
In 1992, Stewart's made a bold move to diversify its product lineup by introducing two new flavors: Cream Soda and Ginger Beer.
Stewart's expanded beyond root beer by launching cream soda and ginger beer flavors.
The cream soda offered sweet vanilla notes, while the ginger beer delivered a sharp, spicy kick.
These additions transformed Stewart's from a root beer specialist into a diverse soda maker, drawing both loyal fans and new customers while setting the stage for future flavor development.
Cadbury Schweppes bought Stewart's, Snapple, and Mistic Brands for $1.45 billion in 2000. T
he purchase price showed how Stewart's had transformed from a small chain of root beer stands into a valuable national soda brand.
The substantial investment made by Cadbury Schweppes PLC demonstrated the company's confidence in Stewart's ability to continue thriving and capturing market share in an increasingly competitive environment.
Stewart's Root Beer won first place at the 2006 World Cup of Root Beer.
This win reflected the company's strict quality standards and their adherence to their original recipe.
Root beer enthusiasts praised Stewart's classic taste.
In the most recent chapter of its storied history, Stewart's has found a new home as part of the Keurig Dr. Pepper beverage conglomerate.
This strategic partnership, forged through a series of mergers and acquisitions, has brought together some of the most iconic and beloved brands in the beverage industry under one umbrella.
The merger lets Stewart's work directly with other Keurig Dr. Pepper brands to develop new products and joint marketing campaigns.
Under Keurig Dr. Pepper's ownership, Stewart's maintains its original recipes and quality standards while adapting to serve modern soda drinkers.
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