Poppi is owned by PepsiCo, which completed its purchase of the prebiotic soda brand in 2025 in a deal valued at $1.95 billion, including about $300 million in expected tax benefits. Poppi was founded by husband-and-wife team Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, who started mixing apple cider vinegar sodas in their kitchen and appeared on Shark Tank in 2018.
Poppi: Quick Facts
| Owner | PepsiCo |
| Deal value | $1.95 billion (including about $300 million in tax benefits) |
| Deal closed | 2025 |
| Founders | Allison and Stephen Ellsworth |
| Launched as Poppi | 2020 |
| Shark Tank | 2018; investment from Rohan Oza |
| Product | Low-sugar “prebiotic soda” with apple cider vinegar |
Who Owns Poppi?
PepsiCo owns Poppi. The soft-drink giant closed the acquisition in 2025, buying one of the best-known names in so-called “better-for-you” soda. Allison Ellsworth has stayed on as a creative advisor. “Poppi is in good hands,” she told Fortune.
Who Founded Poppi?
Allison Ellsworth began experimenting with a healthier soda in her kitchen, mixing fruit, apple cider vinegar and soda water. She and her husband, Stephen, took the idea to Shark Tank in 2018, where she pitched while nine months pregnant and won a $400,000 investment from guest shark Rohan Oza. The brand officially launched as Poppi in 2020.
Why Is Poppi So Popular?
Poppi grew through TikTok and colourful branding aimed at younger drinkers who wanted soda with less sugar. Ellsworth says one TikTok video once brought in $100,000 in sales overnight. The brand did face criticism over its gut-health claims and settled a class action for $8.9 million, while saying it “acknowledges no fault, liability or wrongdoing.”
Our Take
Poppi is the classic modern brand story: a kitchen experiment, a Shark Tank moment, social-media growth and then a billion-dollar exit to one of the biggest drinks companies in the world.
More brand stories: Fix Dessert Chocolatier: the story behind Dubai chocolate · Who owns Bonne Maman? · Who founded Comfrt?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Poppi?
PepsiCo owns Poppi. It completed the acquisition in 2025.
How much did PepsiCo pay for Poppi?
The deal was valued at $1.95 billion, including about $300 million in expected cash tax benefits.
Who founded Poppi?
Allison and Stephen Ellsworth founded Poppi.
Was Poppi on Shark Tank?
Yes. Allison Ellsworth pitched in 2018 and received a $400,000 investment from Rohan Oza.
Sources
- Fortune: Poppi founder Allison Ellsworth on selling to PepsiCo (Jun 16, 2025)
- 24/7 Wall St: Poppi’s Allison Ellsworth (May 2, 2026)
Sources and Editorial Notes
Elivestory aims to use relevant sources, separate confirmed information from speculation and update important details when reliable new information becomes available.
Jaylin Khan
Jaylin Khan is an entertainment writer at elivestory.com who covers celebrity biographies, entertainment news, digital media and the latest pop culture trends. Drawing information from credible and trusted sources, she combines verified facts with thoughtful opinions to create engaging and informative articles for readers.
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