Pepsi is firing back at Coca-Cola with a playful and pointed summer campaign that reimagines the iconic “Share a Coke” concept — swapping out first names for America’s favorite cookout foods.
Just weeks after Coca-Cola revived its legendary “Share a Coke” campaign to reconnect with Gen Z, Pepsi is putting its own flavor-forward twist on the idea. Instead of labeling bottles with names like “Tom” or “Paige,” Pepsi’s limited-edition packaging celebrates seasonal food staples such as “Burgers,” “Wings,” and “Hot Dogs” — a bold move that reinforces the brand’s ongoing claim: Food Deserves Pepsi.
The campaign, launched across major U.S. cities including New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Dallas, blends out-of-home billboards, radio ads, and digital activations. In true Pepsi fashion, the visuals mimic the recognizable aesthetic of Coca-Cola’s campaign, but with a cheeky culinary upgrade — calling attention to the brand’s positioning as the ultimate companion to summer meals, not just moments with friends.
“Why share a soda with ‘Paige’,” the campaign teases, “when you could share one with your burger?”
It’s a strategic jab, and it comes at a crucial time. According to Beverage Digest, Pepsi has slipped to fourth place in the U.S. carbonated soft drink rankings, behind Sprite, Dr Pepper, and Coca-Cola. For a brand once locked in a historic battle for the No. 2 spot, this new marketing effort aims to reverse that trend by reasserting Pepsi’s role at the table — quite literally.
To amplify engagement, Pepsi is launching a #ShareaPepsi social giveaway, encouraging consumers to post which food they’d pair their Pepsi with. Winners will receive customized bottles featuring their favorite meals. The brand is also offering the special packaging at Eeeeatscon Los Angeles from June 28–29, and through its Pepsi Drops digital platform.
The campaign also includes a DoorDash promotion, giving customers $5 off their orders when purchasing at least two Pepsi beverages — an activation timed for this Thursday only, further linking the brand with food delivery and on-demand dining.
This isn’t the first time Pepsi has taken direct aim at its longtime rival. Last month, the brand launched a series of humorous ads featuring the “Crashers,” a crew of undercover agents who sneak into backyard barbecues to swap Coca-Cola bottles for Pepsi. These stunts follow previous candid camera-style antics in restaurants and delivery scenarios, all aimed at one thing: showing people that when it comes to food, Pepsi wins the taste test.
With humor, timing, and a pinch of rivalry, Pepsi’s latest campaign seeks to do more than just reclaim market share — it wants to own the summer table, one burger (and billboard) at a time.
