Tuesday, August 18, 2026

PepsiCo Says Gatorade Hampered by Supply Shortages

  • PepsiCo is set to raise its prices.
  • The increase will offset the costs of supply chain issues.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

PepsiCo is set to raise its prices to offset the costs of supply chain issues, which include shortages of plastic bottles for Gatorade sports drinks. 

The food and beverage giant has dealt with higher transportation and commodity costs amid the pandemic and says it will likely integrate a price hike in the fiscal first quarter of 2022. Sales, however, remain strong. 

PepsiCo raised its full-year forecast for 2021 on Tuesday following an impressive third-quarter earnings report. Revenue jumped 11.6% year-over-year to $20.19 billion, surpassing Wall Street estimates of $19.39 billion.

It now expects total revenue this year to increase by 8%, up from a previous estimate of 6%.

  • Gatorade holds a 67.7% market share of the U.S. sports drink market, per Euromonitor.
  • The NBA renewed its official soft drink and chip partnership with PepsiCo earlier this year.
  • In its last major acquisition, the company acquired Rockstar Energy in March 2020 for $3.85 billion.  

NBA superstar LeBron James finalized a multiyear endorsement deal with PepsiCo in March, leaving Coca-Cola after 17 years in a move first reported by Front Office Sports. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Despite supply chain setbacks, PepsiCo CFO Hugh Johnston told Reuters a shortage of products like Gatorade at supermarkets is not expected.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Infantino Election Tracker: Who Is Voting Against FIFA President

Federations continue dropping support for Gianni Infantino.

LeBron Quickly Ascending Golf Content-Creator Ranks

The NBA star only started playing golf last year.
May 24, 2026; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Yoni Andica (COL) during the weightlifting competition at the Enhanced Games at Resorts World Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit:

Enhanced Games Parent Company Posts $62M Loss After Debut Event

Enhanced Groups is now focusing on supplements and smaller events.

Aryna Sabalenka’s Coach Recalls Sacrifices on Road to $50M Career

Her coaches still shared hotels even when she cracked the Top 10.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/18/26 – Clippers’ Ballmer Reportedly Cleared, Walter Eyes Chelsea Exit, Jayden Daniels Trolled

0:00

Featured Today

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Deion Sanders takes in the second day of Cleveland Browns training camp, July 30, 2026, in Berea, Ohio.

Colorado’s ‘Prime Effect’ Is Wearing Off

Fewer national TV broadcasts loom for Colorado following a 3–9 season.
Kurt Warner
Exclusive
August 17, 2026

ESPN Closes In on Announce Teams for NFL Network Games

It remains “fluid” whether Jason Kelce will join some game broadcasts.
August 17, 2026

NBA Rips ESPN Reporting on Kawhi Leonard Investigation

ESPN says it stands by its reporting.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; CBS analyst J.J. Watt on the field before Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
August 17, 2026

J.J. Watt’s CBS Rise Could Reshape the NFL Analyst Pecking Order

Watt will serve as CBS’s top game analyst in Tony Romo’s absence.
August 16, 2026

Stephen A. Smith Vows to Fire Back at NABJ Over ‘Award’

“You had your turn, now mine is coming,” he wrote.
Exclusive
August 14, 2026

NFL’s Tom Brady Rules Are Back and Now Apply to Troy Aikman, Too

Aikman was involved in the Dolphins’ GM and coach hires this offseason.
Mar 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
August 13, 2026

Lakers Join Sixers, Knicks, Spurs Atop NBA’s National TV Slate

The Thunder, meanwhile, will play 30 national TV games this season.