PepsiCo Buys Poppi for Nearly $2 Billion: Meet Poppi Owner Allison Ellsworth

Poppi, the fizzy, feel-good prebiotic soda everyone’s been raving about, just made headlines with a massive deal. PepsiCo has officially agreed to acquire the Austin-based brand for a whopping $1.95 billion. After tax benefits, the net purchase price sits at $1.65 billion—an incredible leap for a brand that started in local farmers’ markets just a few years ago.

At the heart of Poppi’s rise is Allison Ellsworth, the company’s co-founder and chief brand officer, who turned a kitchen project into one of the biggest beverage success stories in recent years. While Ellsworth’s exact net worth remains Unknown, it’s safe to say that this deal will put her financial standing on a whole new level. Given the size of Poppi’s acquisition and her equity in the company, experts believe she’s poised to become one of the beverage industry’s next big power players.

Who is Allison Ellsworth?

Allison Ellsworth, 36 years old as of 2025, is an entrepreneur and wellness enthusiast who was inspired to create Poppi after tackling her own gut health struggles. Back then, she was working in the oil and gas industry, but her personal health journey led her to experiment with apple cider vinegar and sparkling water. What started as a homemade concoction turned into something far bigger than she could have imagined.

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Poppi was born out of her mission to create a soda that tastes great but actually supports digestive health—and clearly, she hit the mark. Known for her marketing savvy and authentic brand voice, Ellsworth now stands at the center of one of the most talked-about beverage deals in recent history.

From Farmers’ Market Booth to Shark Tank Fame

Poppi began humbly, with Ellsworth and her husband, Stephen Ellsworth, selling their prebiotic sodas at farmers’ markets across Austin back in 2018. Their product quickly became a local favorite thanks to its refreshing taste and gut-friendly formula. That early momentum eventually led the duo to pitch their company on Shark Tank, where they landed a deal with Rohan Oza, a beverage industry mogul known for scaling brands like Vitaminwater and Bai.

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That Shark Tank investment gave Poppi the fuel it needed to grow into a national brand, appearing in major retailers like Whole Foods and others across the country.

Why Poppi Took Off

Poppi isn’t just a pretty can with trendy marketing. The brand nailed the balance between function and flavor, creating a soda that blends fruit juice, sparkling water, and prebiotics—all while containing just 5 grams of sugar and 25 calories per can. That makes it a winner for health-conscious consumers and casual soda drinkers alike.

With 16 flavors ranging from Cherry Limeade to Orange Cream and seasonal favorites like Cranberry Fizz, Poppi now dominates the functional soda space. It has become the go-to for those wanting something fun and flavorful, without the guilt of sugary soft drinks.

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PepsiCo’s Push Into Wellness

PepsiCo’s acquisition of Poppi signals the company’s commitment to pivoting toward healthier, functional beverages. While legacy sodas like Pepsi will always have their place, younger generations are demanding more from their beverages—think prebiotics, vitamins, and low sugar content.

PepsiCo clearly sees Poppi as a brand with long-term potential. And Poppi’s leadership agrees. “We can’t wait to begin this next chapter with PepsiCo to bring our soda to more people,” Ellsworth said in a statement. “We believe Poppi is the soda that will be embraced for generations to come.”

A-Listers and Super Bowl Buzz

Poppi’s star power isn’t just coming from its founders or boardroom deals. The brand has a cult following among celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Lopez, and Russell Westbrook. Its flashy Super Bowl 2024 ad, featuring TikTok influencer Alix Earle, also helped boost its visibility with millions of new consumers.

With PepsiCo’s marketing muscle behind it, expect Poppi to be even harder to miss, whether you’re scrolling on Instagram or browsing your local grocery store.

What’s Next for Allison Ellsworth?

While Allison Ellsworth’s net worth remains unknown, this PepsiCo deal undoubtedly cements her status as a key figure in the growing wellness beverage space. Beyond the financial windfall, Ellsworth will continue to play a central role in shaping Poppi’s brand identity as the company expands globally under PepsiCo’s stewardship.

From home-brewed apple cider vinegar sodas to a billion-dollar payday, Allison Ellsworth’s journey is a modern entrepreneurial success story—proof that passion and purpose can still create disruption in even the most crowded industries.