• On 20 June 2002, DPSU was informed that Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) would discontinue distribution of 7UP in favor of PepsiCo's Sierra Mist, effective 31 December.

• In December 2002, DPSU announced that its program to re-license 7UP to independent bottlers and distributors in various parts of the nation was going smoothly. For instance, DPSUBG added 7UP to additional territories in various states.

• To ensure a smooth transition in the affected territories where Pepsi bottlers pulled 7UP for Sierra Mist, DPSU negotiated agreements with independent bottlers and distributors to handle the 7UP brand, in addition to expanding 7UP territories for some Pepsi bottlers retaining the brand. Most of the new agreements took effect on 1 January 2003.
• All new 7UP bottlers began distribution of dnL. The remaining 30% of the country got dnL in January 2003, when newly licensed 7UP bottlers began distributing the new brand.

• Not long after PBG gave 7UP the heave-ho, another major Pepsi bottler - Minneapolis, Minnesota-based PepsiAmericas also said it would make, sell and deliver Sierra Mist, Pepsi-Cola's lemon-lime CSD, in its entire system in the U.S.

• Sierra Mist has been a significant contributor to PepsiAmericas' growth. Running our lemon-lime efforts alongside Pepsi and Mountain Dew will create system-wide synergy and allow us to better serve our retail customers and consumers," said Kenneth E. Keiser, president and COO.

• 7UP had accounted for about 2% of PepsiAmericas' volume.

• Since Coca-Cola bottlers manufacture rival Sprite, 7UP is barely in the Coke system. But Dr Pepper continues to be on solid footing in the Coca-Cola system.

• In January 1998, DPSU and Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE), Coke's largest bottler, extended their licensing agreement to manufacture and distribute Dr Pepper products in the U.S. until at least 31 December 2005.