We award a narrow economic moat rating to Keurig Dr Pepper and expect the firm to generate excess investment returns aided by intangible assets and scale benefits in its soft drink portfolio and entrenched retail and brand partner relationships in its coffee business for the next 10 years.
Keurig Dr Pepper was established in 2018 following a merger between Keurig Green Mountain Coffee and Dr Pepper Snapple. The company manufactures and distributes coffee systems (including coffee brewers and single-serve coffee pods) under the Keurig and Green Mountain brands, as well as ready-to-drink beverages including flavored (non-cola) sparkling soft drinks under well-known brands such as Dr Pepper, Snapple, and Canada Dry. The company controls production and route to market for its own brands through in-house manufacturing plants and distribution infrastructure and leverages these facilities to manufacture and distribute for third-party coffee and beverage brands via licensing and partnership agreements. US and Canada make up 95% of revenues, with the rest from Mexico.