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Grapette
Five different styles of the Grapette bottle
TypeSoft drink
ManufacturerGrapette (1939-1970)
Flavette (USA 1970-1975)
Grapette International (Latin America 1942-2000; 2000-)
OriginCamden, Arkansas, United States
Introduced1939, 2000
Discontinued1975-2000
ColorPurple
FlavorGrape
Related productsNuGrape
Websitegrapette.com

Grapette is a grape-flavored soft drink that was first produced and marketed in 1939[1] by Benjamin "Tyndle" Fooks. Grapette is now produced by Grapette International, and is marketed in the United States by Walmart as part of its Sam's Choice line of soft drinks.[2]

Development

[edit]

Grapette was developed by Benjamin "Tyndle" Fooks (1901-1981) when, while working as a traveling salesman selling a product known as "Fooks Flavors", he noticed the popularity of his grape flavor. From this, Fooks, dissatisfied with existing grape sodas on the market, sought to develop a grape soda that tasted the way he believed that a grape soda should taste. Over the course of two years and tens of thousands of taste tests, by 1939, he had developed a flavor that he believed was superior to all other grape sodas available at the time.

To name the drink, Fooks turned to Hubert Owen. Owen and an assistant ran a local contest to come up with a name, but this failed to produce any suitable results. In search of further inspiration, Owen then traveled to Washington, D.C. in 1939 to look through the trademark files of the United States Patent Office. It was here that Owen learned of Rube Goldstein, a man who owned a trademark for the name "Grapette", "Orangette", and "Lemonette". Further research determined that Goldstein owned a small bottling firm that produced a drink that used one of Fooks' grape flavors, called "Tiny”. Aptly named, “Tiny” was produced in a six-ounce bottle and distributed in Virginia and North Carolina. Goldstein, however, had never used the Grapette, Orangette, or Lemonette names. By March 1940, Fooks and Owen had met with Goldstein in Chicago, Illinois to purchasing the Grapette, Orangette, and Lemonette names for a total of $500.

Early marketing

[edit]

In the spring of 1940, Fooks began marketing his soda in Camden, Arkansas, under the name "Grapette".

Orangette
TypeSoft drink
ManufacturerGrapette (1947-1970)
Flavette (USA 1970-1975)
Grapette International (Latin America 1942-2000; 2000-)
OriginCamden, Arkansas, U.S.
Introduced1947; 78 years ago (1947)
Websitewww.grapette.com Edit this on Wikidata

Grapette's first-year sales were quite promising. This was due to Grapette's flavor, as well as Grapette's unique packaging. Most soft drinks at the time were sold in twelve-ounce bottles. Grapette was sold in a six-ounce clear glass bottle, which served to show off the beverage's purple color. With the success in sales, marketing of Grapette was expanded to much of the United States, and the slogan "Thirsty or Not" was developed for use in advertising. In addition, other flavors were developed, such as Orangette, an orange-flavored soda that used a considerable amount of real orange juice, and Lemonette, which contained a large amount of real lemon juice.

Botl-O
TypeSoft drink
ManufacturerGrapette
DiscontinuedWWII
Websitewww.grapette.com Edit this on Wikidata
Sunburst
TypeSoft drink
ManufacturerGrapette
DiscontinuedWWII
Websitewww.grapette.com Edit this on Wikidata

When World War II began, Fooks dropped many of his other brands, such as Botl-O and Sunburst, in order to focus on Grapette. Sales of Grapette continued to soar during the war, despite restrictions and material shortages. Sugar, which was subject to wartime rationing, was obtained by adding water to granulated sugar, thus liquefying it, enabling it to be sold as syrup, which was not subject to rationing.

In 1942, R. Paul May, an Arkansas oil tycoon, persuaded Fooks to allow him to market Grapette in Latin America, citing a lack of soft drink options in the area. May was able to build a good reputation for Grapette in Guatemala, selling not only Grapette, but also Orangette and Lemonette. These brands soon became market leaders. In 1962, the export division of Grapette was reorganized into a separate company, known as Grapette International.

Mr. Cola
TypeSoft drink
ManufacturerGrapette (1962-1970)
Introduced1962; 63 years ago (1962)
DiscontinuedUnknown
Flavourcola
VariantsMr. Cola Jr.
Websitewww.grapette.com Edit this on Wikidata

In 1962, Grapette introduced a line of cola drinks to compete with Coca-Cola under the name of "Mr. Cola". The drink was popular in large part because of its sixteen-ounce bottle. Mr. Cola was also available in ten and twelve-ounce sizes. In 1963, "Lymette" was added to Grapette's family of brands. Lymette, however, never achieved the commercial success of the other brands.

Lymette
TypeSoft drink
ManufacturerGrapette (1963-1970)
Flavette (USA 1970-1975)
Grapette International (Latin America 1942-2000; 2000-)
Introduced1963; 62 years ago (1963)
DiscontinuedUnknown
Websitewww.grapette.com Edit this on Wikidata

Decline and retirement

[edit]

By the 1960s, Fooks believed that he had reached his limit with Grapette, and was ready to move on. By the end of the decade, Fooks had begun talks with groups interested in purchasing Grapette. Fooks ultimately sold Grapette to the Rheingold Corporation in 1970,[3] which marketed the Rheingold, Ruppert-Knickerbocker, and Gablinger's lines of beers, as well as several regional brands of soft drinks in California, New Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Rheingold changed the name of the company from Grapette to Flavette, and relocated the company headquarters to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Grapette's bottle was changed to one with smooth sides and colored dots. The slogan became "The Juicy Soda". Grapette's advertising model also changed. Previously, advertising was funded by a surcharge on sugar, which was to be spent by the distributor for advertising only. This plan was dropped by Rheingold, placing advertising solely in the hands of Grapette's distributors, resulting in an immediate drop in sales. During this period, Flavette purchased the Dr. Wells soda pop brand and Mason & Mason, Inc., the makers of Mason's Root Beer.[3][4]

In 1975, Rheingold was purchased by PepsiCo, Inc. in a hostile takeover, acquiring 80% of the company's stock. However, the Federal Trade Commission determined that PepsiCo controlled too many soft drink companies, and thus ordered that PepsiCo divest several prominent brands. When the divestiture was complete in 1977, Grapette was in the hands of Monarch Beverage Company, which manufactured NuGrape. As Monarch already manufactured a grape soda, it was determined that they did not need a second. Representatives from Monarch flew to Grapette's headquarters and essentially fired the Grapette team. As such, the Grapette name was shelved, and the flavor was retired in the United States.

Despite the brand's retirement in the United States, May retained ownership of Grapette International, and Grapette was still produced internationally, remaining a popular drink. When May died in the early 1970s, control of Grapette International was passed on to May's son-in-law, Brooks Rice.

In the United States, Grapette may have been gone, but it certainly had not been forgotten. Rice had made many offers to buy the American rights to Grapette back from Monarch, but regardless of the amount of money offered, Monarch refused to sell the name.[citation needed] Despite this setback, Rice continued to grow Grapette's market share elsewhere in the world, with sales in the tens of millions in countries in South America and the Pacific Rim.

Walmart

[edit]

Rice had profited by becoming an early investor in a business called Walmart, founded by Sam Walton. Over time, as Walmart grew into a household name, Rice began thinking of ways to partner with Walmart. In 1986, Rice was able to meet with Sam Walton, in order to discuss creating a line of private label soft drinks for Walmart. He was specifically interested in making a grape soda for Walmart. Walton did not waste words in telling Rice what he wanted: "I want Grapette in my stores." While Rice did not have the American rights to the Grapette name, he was able to offer Grapette's flavor, and also promised that if he was able to reacquire the rights for the Grapette name, Walmart could have it.

Ozark Farms

[edit]

In 1989, nearly three years after the initial meeting, Grapette International began producing a line of soft drinks for Walmart under the Ozark Farms name. The flavors available were cola, lemon-lime, grape, and orange. Each flavor used Fooks' original formulas. Thus Grapette returned to American shelves, albeit under a new name. However, sales were disappointing, and the Ozark Farms line of soft drinks was discontinued.

Sam's Choice

[edit]

When Sam Walton died in 1992, Walmart CEO David Glass felt it would be a fitting tribute to Walton to rename Walmart's private label as "Sam's Choice". In 1993, Rice again began manufacturing soft drinks for Walmart, this time under the Sam's Choice brand. Walmart was given exclusive rights to the flavors in the United States. Grapette was relaunched at this time as well, under the name "Sam's Choice Grape". Sam's Choice Grape soon became one of the best-selling grape sodas in the nation, seemingly proving Rice's claim that the flavor was what had made Grapette so popular, and not the drink's famous name.[citation needed]

Revival of Grapette name

[edit]

In 2000, Rice walked into the Walmart Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas, in order to personally deliver the news to David Glass: Monarch was finally selling the Grapette name. Rice told Glass, "This is a tribute to you and Sam for having the vision on this product."

By late 2004, the Grapette and Orangette names (and original logotypes) had been incorporated into the Sam's Choice line of soft drinks, and had completely replaced the Sam's Choice Grape and Sam's Choice Orange brands in Walmart stores.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Grapette

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Grapette is a grape-flavored that was developed in 1939 by Benjamin Tyndle Fooks in , and first marketed in 1940 through The Grapette Company. Fooks, who had acquired a bottling operation in Camden in 1926, purchased the "Grapette" name and refined a unique flavor formula after extensive testing before launching the product in distinctive 6-ounce clear glass bottles. By 1950, Grapette had achieved widespread popularity, outselling all other grape-flavored soft drinks in the United States and being produced by over 300 bottlers across 38 states. The brand expanded internationally starting in 1944, with distribution in Central and South America, followed by the and after the formation of Grapette International, Inc. in 1962 to handle franchising and overseas sales. In 1947, a companion product, Orangette, was introduced as an orange-flavored variant. The company's headquarters and original bottling plant, built in at 157 Grinstead Street in Camden with later expansions, became a key site for production during its peak in the 1940s and 1950s. Following Fooks' retirement, the company was sold in 1970, leading to a period of decline in the domestic market; it was later acquired by the Monarch Company in 1977. Grapette International regained the U.S. trademarks in 2000 and revived the brand using its original formulas. Since 2005, Grapette has been available exclusively at stores nationwide, often under the label, while the company continues to produce premium flavor concentrates and syrups for broader food and beverage applications.

Origins and Development

Invention by Tyndle Fooks

Benjamin "Tyndle" Fooks, born in 1901 in , initially worked in the business before transitioning to other ventures in . In 1925, he left the industry and purchased a service station in , marking his entry into local . The following year, in 1926, Fooks borrowed $4,000 from local businessman Charles Saxon to acquire a small bottling operation in Camden, initiating his involvement in small-scale production. Fooks expanded his operations modestly during the late 1920s, acquiring additional bottling plants in Arkadelphia in 1927 and in 1928, though the latter was repurposed as a warehouse amid the . By , he established the B.T. Fooks Manufacturing Company to produce and distribute "Fooks Flavors," a line of concentrates sold to regional bottlers. In 1932, hiring two salesmen significantly boosted sales of these flavors sevenfold, providing crucial insights into consumer preferences during his routes across , , and . Sales data from these routes revealed that grape flavors were overwhelmingly the most popular among customers, prompting Fooks to focus his experimentation on perfecting a beginning in 1938. Over the next one to two years, he conducted extensive tests, refining the through trials involving aroma-producing esters, subtle acids, dextrose, and grape elements to achieve a distinctive without initial reliance on artificial colors. This iterative process, spanning 1938 to 1939, resulted in a unique that emphasized grape essence for superior flavor depth. In 1939, Fooks formalized his innovation by purchasing the "Grapette" for $500 from Rube Goldstein in , securing the name for his new product under the B.T. Fooks Manufacturing Company. This step solidified the groundwork for Grapette's introduction the following year.

Initial Launch and Formula

Grapette was introduced to the market in the spring of 1940 in , by Benjamin Tyndle Fooks through his Fooks Manufacturing Company. The soda was packaged in an innovative 6-ounce clear designed to highlight the beverage's vibrant hue, setting it apart from typical opaque containers of the era. This lightweight bottle contributed to its appeal as a refreshing, grape-flavored targeted at local consumers. Initial production occurred at Fooks' Camden facility, where the drink was bottled and distributed primarily to nearby retailers and soda fountains. The launch proved an immediate success, with local sales quickly exceeding expectations due to the soda's distinctive flavor profile and eye-catching presentation, establishing a strong foundation in southern Arkansas markets. The original Grapette formula consisted of carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, natural grape flavors incorporating elements of grape juice, along with subtle acids, dextrose, and aroma-producing esters to achieve a full-bodied taste reminiscent of Concord grapes. Potassium benzoate served as the preservative, and the recipe notably avoided high-fructose corn syrup, relying instead on cane sugar for sweetness to emphasize an authentic, fruit-forward grape essence. This composition was the result of extensive experimentation aimed at capturing a rich, natural grape character without synthetic overpowering notes. In 1946, as the brand gained traction, Fooks Manufacturing Company was renamed the Grapette Company to better reflect its flagship product. That same year, the company introduced Lemonette, a lemon-flavored variant using a similar true-fruit approach. Orangette, an orange-flavored extension, followed in 1947, expanding the lineup while maintaining the core emphasis on natural fruit tastes.

Rise to Popularity

Domestic Growth

Following its launch in , in 1940, Grapette rapidly expanded distribution within the through a franchised bottling system. By the mid-1940s, the brand had established a nationwide presence, with bottlers operating across multiple states, including a new plant in , that opened in 1941 during the era. Wartime rationing posed challenges for production, as was scarce for non-essential items like soft drinks, yet Grapette persevered by innovating supply methods, such as trading syrup for granulated to maintain output. This resilience allowed the company to sustain growth despite disruptions, with post-war recovery accelerating expansion in the late 1940s. By 1950, Grapette was produced by more than 300 independent bottlers in 42 states, marking a peak in domestic reach and solidifying its position as a leading grape-flavored soda. Sales in the 1950s exceeded those of all other grape soft drinks combined, and the brand ranked as the seventh best-selling soft drink overall in the U.S. by the mid-decade. Popularity was particularly strong in Southern states like Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, where it became a regional staple often tied to local heritage and everyday refreshment. Grapette's appeal stemmed in part from its distinctive grape formula, which used nearly pure for a rich flavor that differentiated it from competitors. The company, remaining privately held under founder Benjamin Tyndle Fooks, generated steady revenue primarily from these domestic operations through the , with bottler franchises driving consistent until the 1970 sale to Rheingold Corporation.

Early Marketing Strategies

In the , Grapette's marketing efforts centered on the iconic "Thirsty or Not," which emphasized the drink's irresistible appeal and encouraged consumption at any time, helping to build brand recognition across the American South. This was prominently featured in promotional materials, positioning Grapette as a fun, everyday refreshment that transcended typical thirst-quenching scenarios. Packaging played a key role in early branding, with the innovative clear, lightweight six-ounce glass bottles designed to showcase the beverage's vibrant color, distinguishing it from competitors' opaque containers. These bottles were sold in cases of 30 rather than the standard 24, appealing to retailers by offering better value while highlighting the product's premium quality as a grape-flavored alternative to dominant colas. Point-of-sale displays, including prominent signage at soda fountains, service stations, and stores, further reinforced this visual identity and encouraged impulse purchases. Advertising in the and relied on print media in Southern newspapers and a sophisticated franchise model that partnered with local bottlers for promotion, enabling widespread distribution and community-level engagement. By the , over 300 independent bottlers across 42 states produced Grapette, leveraging their regional networks to tailor promotions and build loyalty through localized events and displays. The campaigns targeted families and , portraying the soda as a wholesome, flavorful option suitable for all ages, with family-oriented products like animal-shaped syrup containers introduced in 1948 to extend appeal beyond carbonated versions. These strategies contributed to domestic sales peaks, with Grapette outselling all other grape-flavored soft drinks combined by 1950.

International Expansion

Latin American Markets

In 1942, R. Paul May, an Arkansas oil magnate and friend of Grapette's inventor Tyndle Fooks, acquired the international rights to the beverage outside the , focusing initially on developing markets in where options were limited. This agreement led to the formation of the Grapette Export Company in 1944, which quickly pursued bottling partnerships across the region to capitalize on growing demand for flavored sodas. The first franchise was sold in in 1945. By 1944, Grapette had achieved rapid market penetration, with sales expanding into , , and through established local bottling plants in countries such as , , and . These facilities enabled efficient production and distribution, positioning Grapette as a prominent grape-flavored soda in the region during the mid-20th century. The brand's success was bolstered by localized bottling operations that adapted to regional supply chains while maintaining the core grape flavor profile. Following the decline of Grapette in the U.S. market during the late , the brand persisted in under its original name, with minimal changes to the formula to suit local preferences for fruit-forward beverages. As of 2025, Grapette remains in production and available for sale in through entities associated with Grapette de Mexico, contributing to ongoing annual sales of millions of cases across .

Global Reach

Following the initial push into Latin American markets in the early , Grapette expanded its global footprint through franchised bottling operations in the and regions during the . In 1962, Grapette International, Inc. was established specifically to manage overseas and sales, enabling the brand to license production to local bottlers who adapted the formula to regional preferences while preserving its distinctive grape flavor. This network of international partners allowed Grapette to achieve widespread distribution beyond the , with bottlers handling local production and marketing to meet demand in diverse markets. In 1972, Brooks T. Rice succeeded May as president and oversaw further expansion into the and . Even as domestic sales in the declined in the 1970s, Grapette's foreign operations remained robust and independent, with international rights retained separately from U.S. assets. After the 1977 acquisition by the , production continued uninterrupted abroad, supporting exports and local manufacturing in established territories. During this period (1977–2000), the brand sustained its presence through these franchised arrangements. As of , Grapette maintains active production and distribution in select international markets, particularly in , the , and Pacific Rim countries, where it remains a popular option. Grapette International reports annual sales of millions of cases overseas, with limited exports supporting ongoing demand through established bottling partners. In regions like , the beverage continues to be available via local franchises, underscoring the brand's enduring global adaptability despite its scaled-back U.S. profile.

Decline and Name Changes

Sale to Rheingold

In 1970, Grapette's founder, Benjamin "Tyndle" Fooks, sold the domestic rights to the brand and its associated soft drinks to the Rheingold Corporation as he prepared for retirement. Rheingold, primarily known for its beer lines such as Rheingold, Ruppert-Knickerbocker, and Gablinger's, entered the soft drink sector by acquiring Grapette's concentrate business and franchising operations during a period of industry consolidation. Although Grapette had achieved significant success in the post-World War II era with over 300 bottlers across 38 states, domestic market share had begun to decline due to inadequate franchise support and competition from larger cola brands. Following the acquisition, Rheingold implemented substantial changes to align Grapette with its broader beverage portfolio. In 1972, the company was renamed Flavette, prompting a redesign of branding and packaging that departed from Grapette's iconic purple bottle and grape-focused imagery. The headquarters were relocated from Camden, Arkansas, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to centralize administrative functions. These alterations aimed to position the product as a more generic fruit-flavored soda rather than a specialized grape drink. The transition under Rheingold led to immediate challenges, including shifts in that diminished emphasis on the distinctive flavor and reduced national advertising expenditures. This resulted in noticeable sales dips, as local bottlers received less promotional support and the brand lost some of its regional appeal. International distribution rights, however, were retained separately by Fooks and later managed through Grapette International, allowing continued growth abroad unaffected by the domestic changes. Operationally, Rheingold centralized concentrate production while relying on franchised bottlers for distribution, a model that strained the existing network of regional operators. Many smaller bottlers faced reduced incentives and support, contributing to franchise attrition and further eroding Grapette's domestic presence in the early 1970s.

PepsiCo Era and Retirement

In 1975, completed its acquisition of Rheingold Corporation through a hostile takeover, gaining control of the Grapette brand, which Rheingold had purchased from its founder in 1970. The (FTC) scrutinized the deal due to antitrust concerns, determining that PepsiCo's ownership of multiple concentrates, including Grapette's flavoring, could reduce in the industry. To address these issues, the FTC mandated the divestiture of several non-cola brands as a condition of approving the merger. The divestiture process concluded in 1977 when , a producer of regional soft drinks including the rival NuGrape, acquired Grapette. In the United States, chose to retire the Grapette to prevent direct with its established NuGrape product line, instead distributing the formula as an unmarked generic grape soda through limited channels. This shift abroad allowed for continued production under generic labeling in international markets, where the brand faced less direct rivalry from 's portfolio. The rebranding and reduced promotional efforts under contributed to a rapid sales decline in the U.S., with Grapette's domestic market share approaching zero by the late 1970s, overshadowed by aggressive marketing from national cola giants like and . Founder Benjamin Tyndle Fooks, who had retired from the beverage industry following the 1970 sale to Rheingold, passed away on September 30, 1981, in , at the age of 80.

Walmart Involvement

Store Brands

In 1989, Walmart launched a grape soda under its Ozark Farms private label, utilizing the original Grapette flavor formula provided by Grapette International, led by Brooks T. Rice. This product was developed in partnership with Rice following his meeting with Walmart founder , allowing the company to offer a close approximation of the classic Grapette taste without using the trademarked name, as U.S. rights to the Grapette brand remained with until their later acquisition. The Ozark Farms line included alongside other flavors like orange, cola, and lemon-lime, and was bottled by third-party manufacturers to Walmart's specifications. Initial sales of the Ozark Farms grape soda were modest and disappointing. In 1993, Walmart rebranded the product under its premium Sam's Choice label, continuing to use the authentic Grapette flavor profile licensed through Grapette International. This transition expanded distribution to Walmart stores nationwide, where the Sam's Choice grape soda quickly became a top seller in the beverage aisle, outperforming many competitors within a year of launch. The private-label versions maintained the recipe's integrity, preserving the full-bodied grape taste that had defined the original Grapette, while adhering to legal constraints by avoiding the Grapette name during Monarch's U.S. market retirement period.

Revival of the Grapette Brand

In 2000, Grapette International, led by Brooks T. Rice since 1972, acquired the U.S. trademarks for Grapette and Orangette from , reuniting the brand with its original formula after decades of separation. This reacquisition marked a pivotal step in reviving the iconic grape-flavored soda, which had been absent from American shelves under its original name since the due to prior sales and licensing complexities. The brand relaunched in the U.S. market in 2005, available exclusively through stores nationwide as of that year, though availability has varied by location since then, restoring the original Grapette name and its signature purple branding that evoked the drink's mid-20th-century heritage. This partnership built on earlier informal ties, as had sold an unnamed store-brand version using authentic Grapette flavors in the late at the request of founder . The relaunch emphasized the soda's unique, refreshing grape taste, positioning it as a nostalgic treat for and Southern consumers who remembered it from their youth. Marketing efforts revived the classic "Thirsty or Not" slogan, updating campaigns to highlight the brand's enduring appeal and Southern roots through print ads, jingles, and in-store promotions that celebrated its , origins. These initiatives successfully tapped into cultural , driving initial sales and reestablishing Grapette as a regional favorite. Alongside soda production, Grapette International expanded into a flavor concentrates business during this period, producing syrups and mixes to diversify beyond bottled beverages and support broader distribution of the brand's proprietary recipes. In 2020, the company entered a licensing agreement with National Fruit Flavor Co. to produce additional syrups, concentrates, and mixes using its flavors. As of , Grapette soda availability in stores varies by location, with a real-sugar version planned for return to the Museum. This growth strategy strengthened the company's foundation, enabling sustained operations post-revival.

Current Production and Availability

Grapette International

Grapette International, Inc., under the leadership of Brooks T. Rice, successfully reacquired the U.S. trademarks for Grapette and related brands in early 2000 after years of efforts to recover them from previous owners, effectively reviving domestic operations in . This move marked a pivotal re-establishment for the company, which had continued international activities since its formal inception in 1962. Over the subsequent decades, Grapette International evolved from primarily producing and bottling the original grape-flavored soda to becoming a full-service provider of flavor concentrates, syrups, and blends for the and beverage industry. In , Grapette International acquired the New Orleans Fruit Flavors line, including syrups, concentrates, and mixes, from National Fruit Flavor Co., expanding its premium offerings derived from historic formulas. This growth incorporated natural flavors and colors, allowing clients to maintain clean labels while meeting modern consumer demands for authentic taste profiles. Production remains centered in , with facilities in Malvern handling the bottling of Grapette and its variants, including options that adhere to the original cane sugar formula for those seeking the classic sweetness. The operations are SQF certified and FDA registered, ensuring high standards in a climate-controlled, allergen-free environment. Brooks Rice's stewardship since succeeding R. Paul May in 1972 has been instrumental in preserving the brand's legacy, including its international expansion and the revival that brought Grapette back to U.S. shelves. The company continues to honor founder Benjamin Tyndle Fooks' innovations by maintaining fidelity to his original recipes in its product lineup.

Distribution and Variants

Grapette is primarily distributed exclusively through stores across the , available in 2-liter plastic bottles and 12-ounce cans as part of 's store brand lineup. Online purchases are facilitated via Walmart.com, with options for delivery or in-store pickup. This nationwide exclusivity has been in place since , ensuring consistent availability in over 4,600 locations. The product's variants center on classic fruit flavors, with Grapette offering a distinctive taste and Orangette providing an orange alternative; additional options include and grapefruit varieties under the Grapette International umbrella. A cane sugar-sweetened version of Grapette, evoking the original formula, is offered through specialty online retailers like YaySoda, appealing to consumers seeking alternatives to . These variants maintain the brand's legacy while adapting to modern preferences for natural sweeteners in limited releases. The current standard formula for Grapette consists of , , , natural and artificial flavors, as a , and colorings such as Red 40 and Blue 1. Preservative-free options remain limited. This composition balances affordability and shelf stability for mass-market distribution. In the market as of 2025, Grapette enjoys a dedicated niche following among regional soda enthusiasts, particularly in the , where its unique flavor profile fosters loyalty. Annual sales have stabilized through the partnership, supporting steady production without recapturing the mid-20th-century peaks when it achieved widespread national and international prominence. The has historical presence in Latin American markets, including ; as of 2025, Grapette International's flavor concentrates and syrups are available globally, while the bottled soda remains exclusive to the U.S.

References

  1. https://www.grapette.com/read-more
  2. https://preservearkansas.org/grapette-building/
  3. https://www.grapette.com/our-legacy-brands
  4. https://sapulpatimes.com/sapulpa-has-ties-to-historic-grapette-drink/
  5. https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/ouachita-county-795/
  6. https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/grapette-international-inc-2149/
  7. http://genealogytrails.com/ark/ouachita/bios.htm
  8. https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/11/14/purple-elixir-how-grapette-brought-the-taste-of-arkansas-to-the-world
  9. https://aymag.com/arkansas-backstories-grapette/
  10. https://nwmangum.com/Grapette/History.html
  11. https://www.southarkansasreckoning.com/arkansas-history-notecard-a-grapette/
  12. https://www.eldoradonews.com/news/2020/jul/18/grapette-long-history-south-arkansas/
  13. https://grubamericana.com/2012/12/05/grapette-americas-once-favorite-grape-soda-makes-a-comeback/
  14. https://secure-sha.org/bottle/pdffiles/EPChap5d.pdf
  15. https://www.nytimes.com/1972/11/16/archives/ftc-challenges-pepsico-on-merger.html
  16. https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Looking-Back-Grapette-buttons-once-marked-8415637.php
  17. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/477/24/1533/
  18. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123354554/benjamin_tyndle-fooks
  19. https://www.charlestonexpress.com/story/news/2015/07/01/history-minute-grapette/24368216007/
  20. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2007/mar/04/everybodys-business-grapettes-comeback-st-20070304/
  21. https://www.grapette.com/concentrates
  22. https://www.grapette.com/new-orleans-fruit-flavors
  23. https://www.grapette.com/
  24. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Grapette-Grape-Soda-2-L/17179476
  25. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Value-Grapette-Grape-Soda-Pop-12-fl-oz-12-Pack-Cans/2304278
  26. https://www.yaysoda.com/products/grapette-soda
  27. https://world.openfoodfacts.org/product/0078742226804/grapette-soda-grape-wal-mart-stores-inc
  28. https://sodapopstop.com/shop/sugar-formulas/grapette/
  29. https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/best-regional-sodas/
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