PepsiCo Beverages North America is rolling out Pepsi Vanilla & Cream nationwide beginning October 19, adding a limited-time indulgent cola to the cooler set just as holiday basket-building picks up. The SKU ships in both Original and Zero Sugar formulations, available in 12-pack cans and 20 oz. bottles — two of the highest-velocity package formats at the c-store forecourt and cold vault.
The Lineup
The launch extends PepsiCo's cream-cola platform, which already includes Pepsi Wild Cherry & Cream and its Zero Sugar counterpart. Vanilla & Cream slots in as the newest flavor expression, leaning into a vanilla-and-cream profile the brand positions as nostalgic but novel. For operators, the two-SKU structure — original caloric and zero-sugar — mirrors how successful LTOs have performed in the dispensed beverage and packaged cold-vault set, giving loyalty-driven shoppers a low-guilt option alongside the full-calorie treat.
Why It Matters for Operators
Holiday-season LTOs have become a reliable inside-sales driver for c-store retailers. According to Beverage Industry data cited by PepsiCo, three in four consumers say they are willing to try new beverages during the holidays — a willingness that translates directly to incremental ring at the cold vault and in the packaged beverage aisle. Single-store operators and regional chains alike have found that a well-placed seasonal SKU from a major NAB supplier can lift category velocity without requiring back-of-house complexity.
The 20 oz. bottle, a staple impulse package at the c-store register and cooler door, is the format most likely to capture the grab-and-go holiday shopper. The 12-pack can plays to the at-home and take-to-the-party occasion PepsiCo is leaning into with its seasonal messaging. Merchandising both formats together — cold vault for immediate consumption, ambient display for stock-up — gives operators a straightforward cross-location execution.
"Pepsi has always known how to make great-tasting cola even more exciting, and our newest flavors are the latest example," said Gustavo Reyna, Vice President of Marketing at Pepsi. "If you're looking to indulge in a little treat this season, Pepsi Vanilla & Cream brings rich vanilla and smooth cream flavors to the unmistakable taste of Pepsi for something that feels nostalgic, new and undeniably delicious."
For c-store buyers, the timing aligns with the broader trend of flavored and premium NAB SKUs outpacing standard cola velocity during Q4 holiday resets. PepsiCo's cream-flavor line has demonstrated that the subcategory can draw cola drinkers who might otherwise defect to specialty beverages or energy drinks. Pairing the LTO with loyalty app promotions — a tactic chains from national banners to regional SSO groups have deployed effectively — could further sharpen its sales impact before the SKU exits the planogram. Operators should expect a finite window and plan secondary placement accordingly. For more on holiday NAB category strategy, see our coverage of c-store seasonal merchandising trends.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
