---
title: "Why so many chains are changing their beverage providers"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/3b5b0753-7b64-4471-92bf-554693e9f5c0
source: "Restaurant Business"
original_url: https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/why-so-many-chains-are-changing-their-beverage-providers
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
published: 2026-10-28T20:58:13.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T14:43:46.599Z
image: https://cdn.informaconnect.com/platform/files/public/2026-10/background/ADD-%2010-28-26.jpg?VersionId=hbYYQhGmrvICICYpatG_wJtzaf6SZLZQ
---

# Why so many chains are changing their beverage providers

**TL;DR:** Several restaurant chains, including KFC, Culver's, Subway, Marriott, and Costco, have changed their beverage providers in recent years. George Hiller, a consultant, discusses the reasons behind these changes on the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive.

*originally published in Restaurant Business on 2026-10-28. [Read the original](https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/why-so-many-chains-are-changing-their-beverage-providers).*

## Story

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features George Hiller, a longtime consultant who works with restaurant chains on their beverage strategies.

We wanted to talk with Hiller after KFC made the surprising announcement that it is switching from Pepsi to Coke.

A lot of chains and foodservice providers, including Culver’s, Subway, Marriott, and Costco, have changed their beverage contracts in recent years. We wanted to understand why this is happening, and what brands are seeking to accomplish when they make a change like this.

George discusses these issues as well as the unique situation involving KFC, which generated a lot of headlines and discussions with its move.

*Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.*

## Entities

- QSR (sector)
- Restaurant Business (publication)
- Subway (company)
- KFC (company)
- Coke (company)
- Marriott (company)
- qsr trends (topic)
- Culver's (company)
- Pepsi (company)
- Costco (company)
- restaurant chains (topic)
- George Hiller (person)

---
Originally reported by Restaurant Business (https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/why-so-many-chains-are-changing-their-beverage-providers). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/3b5b0753-7b64-4471-92bf-554693e9f5c0).