* History: The company was founded in 1922 by Charles D. Little and business partner Joe S. Foster, former Chero-Cola employees who launched the company originally as the Good Grape Company. The business name was later changed to the Seminole Flavor Company, as the Chattanooga operation was experimenting with a formula to compete with Coke. Little and Foster tweaked that formula some more, and in 1933, they came out with Double Cola, which was named for its 12-ounce size that was twice as big as the 6-ounce bottles of its competitors. In 1956, Double Cola pioneered the citrus drink Ski which was trademarked in 1958 and became the company’s top-selling drink. In 1981, K.J. International bought the company and expanded operations around the globe, adding more flavors and alcoholic drinks.
* Products: Double-Cola, Ski, Ski InfraRED, Jumbo fruit flavors line, Chaser, Oranta, Double-Dry Ginger Ale, Quad Energy, Minōku Coconut Water and Zili Tea. Company CEO Alnoor Dhanani says developing new products is key to success in the more rapidly evolving beverage market where tastes and preferences change quicker than in the past.
* Headquarters: The company’s sales and office headquarters were moved to downtown Chattanooga in 1999. The Double Cola drink concentrated are made in New Jersey and the product is bottled and distributed by more than 40 companies around the globe.
* Parent company: K.J. International, Inc.
* Centennial celebration: To mark the company’s 100th anniversary, Dhanani said Double Cola is sponsoring a series of activities over 100 days this summer and fall, culminating with Double Cola’s Will This Float? pitch competition at Startup Week Chattanooga. On the web at doublecolacompany.com/100-years
* Company website: DoubleCola.com
Source: Double Cola Co.