Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) is the third largest flavored carbonated soft drink company, by annual revenue, in the United States with 24 manufacturing and 200 distribution centers across 13 states.^[1] The company became publicly traded and independently managed on May 7, 2008 when Cadbury Schweppes (CSG) spun apart its American Beverages division.^[2]

DPS, like other soft drink makers in the United States, is facing a marketplace where demand has seen lukewarm growth as consumers shift towards healthier sports drinks, energy drinks, and cheaper drinks such as bottled or tap water.^[3] The most dramatic manifestation of consumer health concerns regarding soft drinks, though, has been a proposal put forth in the state of New York that would impose an 18% excise tax on all non-diet soda sales.^[4]

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