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A sugary drink and Texas tradition, so sweet it makes your teeth hurt is no more. Dublin Dr. Pepper is gone forever. Yesterday, Dr Pepper Snapple Group announced a split with their oldest (and smallest) Dr Pepper bottling plant, formerly known as Dublin Dr Pepper. The split is a result of a lawsuit that started back in June when Dr Pepper Snapple Group sued the tiny Dublin Dr Pepper Bottling Co. for a violation of a licensing agreement. Big Dr Pepper claimed they were taking a financial hit because of the Dublin label and that Dublin was overstepping its territorial boundaries by marketing outside of a six-county region.
Yesterday, Dublin decided to settle with the big soft drink corporation and agreed to sell its distribution rights to Dr Pepper Snapple for an undisclosed sum under terms of the agreement. Dublin Dr Pepper will now be Dublin Bottling Works, Inc. and will stop producing their signature drink, but will still produce other sodas like Triple XXX Root Beer and will maintain its Old Doc’s Soda Shop and museum in Dublin.
As a lawyer in Texas, I understand that Dr Pepper must protect its brand, but to me it seems like the big guy picking on the little guy. Dublin had no chance against Dr Pepper in court; after all, the tiny manufacturer only has 40 employees. How big of a financial hit could Dr Pepper really be taking from the Dublin brand? I know one thing, they’re taking a huge public relations hit right now. People across the US are mad that another huge corporation is picking on the little guy. Some even say they don’t want to drink Dr Pepper anymore (although, when they really need that fix, I doubt they won’t give in a little).
Whoever’s side you’re on, I’m sad I won’t get to enjoy those tiny little Dublin DP’s anymore. It’s kind of like David vs Goliath – only Goliath won.