G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc. Celebrates 100 Years of Service 

On May 25th, 2025, G&J Pepsi proudly celebrated its 100th year anniversary, a remarkable milestone for the family-owned and operated Pepsi bottler. 

The company’s story began in 1925 when Esther Jarson and Nell Raleigh suggested that their significant others, Walter Gross and Isaac Jarson, should purchase the New York Mineral Water Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. Walter and Isaac agreed to the purchase and the two families founded the Grand Pop Bottling Company. The Grand Pop Bottling Company sold many different varieties of carbonated drinks, and the business took off. In 1935, the Gross and Jarson families were approached by a representative of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company, who offered them a Pepsi franchise. They began selling Pepsi shortly after.

Over the course of the 1930s through early 1950s, the Gross and Jarson families acquired franchises in Lexington, KY ; Portsmouth, OH ; and Ripley, OH. In 1955, the families sold the Cincinnati Pepsi-Cola franchise but opened offices in Cincinnati, OH under the name of Gross-Jarson Associates to manage the operations of the company’s four bottling plants. 

               The Columbus, OH bottling plant was constructed in 1965 after the families acquired the bottling rights for the territory. The families then opened a new facility in Winchester, KY in 1967 to produce Pepsi products in cans. Just one year later, the five bottling franchises were consolidated into today’s G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc. 

               G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers continued to expand its territory from the late 1908s to 2023. The company acquired locations in Athens, OH; Zanesville, OH; Wilmington, OH; and most recently Maysville, KY. The company also opened a sister operation, Middlestreet Graphics and Display, in 2013 to be able to create Point of Sale materials locally. 

               Today, G&J Pepsi is operated by the third generation of founding family members. Members of the fourth generation have also began their careers at the company. G&J Pepsi is proud to continue to invest in itself, its employees, and the communities in which it operates. In addition to celebrating its centennial anniversary, G&J Pepsi’s Hamilton, OH location was nominated for the 2024 Bottler of the Year award.

G&J Pepsi is proud to have received proclamations and acclamations from many city and state officials for its 100th year:

Andy Beshear, the Governor of Kentucky

Steve Patterson, the Mayor of  Athens, Ohio

Luke Feeney, the Mayor of Chillicothe, Ohio

Aftuh Pureval, the Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio

The City Council Members of Columbus, Ohio

Reginald Thomas, the Senator of Kentucky

Pat Moeller, the Mayor of Hamilton, Ohio

Bernie Moreno, the Senator of Ohio

Charlotte Gordon, the Mayor of Portsmouth, Ohio

Travis Arnett, the Mayor of Ripley, Ohio

Mike DeWine, the Governor of Ohio

Patrick Haley, the Mayor of Wilmington, Ohio

Donald L. Mason, the Mayor of Zanesville, Ohio

About G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc.

Founded in 1925, G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc. is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the largest family-owned, independent bottler in the PepsiCo franchise system. The company employs approximately 1,900 employees at 14 locations across Ohio and Kentucky that are responsible for the production, sale, distribution, and marketing of over 600 refreshment options throughout G&J Pepsi’s franchise area. Additionally, G&J Pepsi has a sister company, Middlestreet Graphics & Display, located in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, that specializes in point-of-purchase displays and print solutions. For more information and employment opportunities, visit www.gjpepsi.com.