Company Overview
PepsiCo is a multinational beverage and snack company. PepsiCo is the second-largest food and beverage business in the world based on net revenue, profit, and market capitalisation, behind Nestlé.
Other than its most recognisable Pepsi brand, there are many other brands within PepsiCo.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PepsiCo
“PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.”
https://www.pepsico.com.au/who-we-are/about-pepsico
Suntory Oceania is the licensed manufacturer and distributor of Pepsi in New Zealand. Other Suntory Oceania brands include Gatorade, 7 Up, Just Juice, Fresh Up, Mountain Dew and The Real McCoy.
Source: https://www.suntoryoceania.com/
Woke Rating
We rate PepsiCo as Woke Lite.
Woke Summary
- Virtue Signalling – not much evidence of virtue signalling.
- Gender Ideology & LGBTQ – has been involved with LGBTQI+ events and initiatives such as Pride March, and employee resource groups.
- Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) – Pepsico has had DEI policies, however the company recently announced that it’s ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
- Climate Change – PepsiCo has emissions reduction targets and ESG policies. It supports the Paris Agreement and UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Woke Policies
Wokeness and virtue signalling distracts a company from its core business, which is to make a profit for shareholders while delivering excellent, affordable products and services to its customers. Businesses should not be distracted from this core purpose, otherwise there will be unnecessary costs which are ultimately passed onto consumers. Woke ideologies are typically unfriendly towards the traditional family unit.
Below are some woke policies and initiatives from PepsiCo…
Gender Ideology & LGBTQ+
PepsiCo, the parent company of Pepsi, has a history of supporting LGBTQ+ through initiatives like Pride Month celebrations, and employee resource groups.
PepsiCo has employee resource groups, such as EQUAL (LGBT), where employees can connect and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
PepsiCo has DEI policies, however the company recently announced that it’s ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth…
PepsiCo ends Diversity Initiatives, Coca-Cola Reaffirms Support
Climate Change
Pepsico has emissions reduction targets and ESG policies. The company supports Agenda 2030 and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Source: https://www.pepsico.com/docs/default-source/sustainability-and-esg-topics/2023-esg-summary/2023-esg-performance-metrics.pdf
Here is Suntory’s Sustainable Management strategy and goals: https://www.suntory.com/csr/management/
Positive Policies & Activities
PepsiCo Foundation is PepsiCo’s main philanthropic program: www.pepsico.com/our-impact/philanthropy/pepsico-foundation
Note – This page was updated as of 30th March 2025. Please contact us if you’ve discovered other relevant information about PepsiCo or other businesses pushing woke agendas. You should also contact us if you discover some positively woke-free businesses.