MINIs Come To Dublin Dr. Pepper's Defense

Photo Credit: LeviathanC's Side Blog

One of the first Dr. Pepper factories, before the brand became the multinational corporation Dr. Pepper Snapple, is located in Dublin, Texas and operates under a franchise agreement. The Dublin-based Dr. Pepper factory is rather unique in that it still produces Dr. Pepper with cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup. As part of the franchise agreement the Dublin Dr. Pepper factory the Dublin factory was permitted to continue to produce its cane sugar Dr. Pepper but limited the factory's geographical distribution. Customers, however, have a sweet-tooth for the stuff and have taken it far and wide beyond the geographical distribution limitations. The Dublin Dr. Pepper was distinguished from Dr. Pepper Snapple Dr. Pepper by the words "Dublin Dr. Pepper" on the label.

Recently, Dr. Pepper Snapple began production of its own cane sugar version of Dr. Pepper. and filed suit against the Dublin Dr. Pepper claiming the Dublin bottler violated a licensing agreement by selling into other franchise territories and by using an authorized logo, which says, "Dublin Dr Pepper" without compensating Dr. Pepper Snapple. After learning of the suit more than 200 people showed up in Dublin in support of the tiny, family-owned bottler. The local Mini Club paraded through the streets and the head of the local economic development corporation handed over an oversized check for $25,000, payable to Dublin Dr Pepper's defense fund. Money was also raised by selling T-shirts and yellow wristbands.

[Source: star-telegram]