Coca-Cola’s decision to revitalize the 54-year-old Mr. Pibb brand has proven successful, as it emerged as the fastest-growing brand in 2026, as reported by Morning Consult.
The relaunch of Mr. Pibb in late 2025 with a new recipe led to an 11.2 percentage point increase in overall purchasing consideration, making it the top-performing soda in Morning Consult’s survey.
Prior to the brand refresh, Pibb Xtra and Mr. Pibb had experienced stagnant growth for several years, according to the business intelligence company.
Coca-Cola’s reintroduction of Mr. Pibb aimed to capitalize on consumer nostalgia while also appealing to a younger audience.
The Morning Consult poll revealed that the brand saw significant growth among Generation X, with a 15.5 percentage point increase. It also performed well with millennials, showing an 11.7 percentage point growth, and Baby Boomers, with a 9.8 percentage point boost.
Although Generation Z showed a smaller rate of growth at 5.5 percentage points, Mr. Pibb still ranked as the 17th most popular brand within that demographic.
The majority of top-performing brands in the survey were found in grocery stores, indicating that familiar and reliable brands are preferred by consumers during uncertain times.
According to Morning Consult’s report, these brands saw a more modest increase in consideration compared to Mr. Pibb’s significant jump. The data was collected through consumer surveys on purchasing considerations among U.S. adults, covering over 2,800 brands from May 15 to Aug. 15, 2026.