A Family-Owned Kentucky Bottler Since 1938
Comprehensive Company History
On September 28, 1937, Jack and Kathryn Day arrived in Corbin, Kentucky from Falmouth with $56 in their pockets and an International pickup truck. They were given a permit to produce soft drinks, and the following year they developed their own brand, a line of fruit-flavored drinks called Day's Sparkling Beverages.
On October 19, 1938, the business was officially franchised as the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Corbin, Kentucky, Inc. Operating from a building at 1309 South Main Street, Jack and Kathryn handled everything by hand: cleaning, mixing, crowning, and labeling. A full day's work produced 150 to 200 cases of soft drinks, which Jack would load into his pickup truck and deliver the next day across the company's ten-county territory: Whitley, Knox, Laurel, Clay, Jackson, Bell, Rockcastle, Lincoln, Pulaski, and McCreary counties.
As business grew, Jack borrowed a flatbed truck from a man known as Big John Smith and eventually hired drivers who furnished their own trucks. The product line was simple: 8 oz. and 12 oz. Pepsi alongside the Day's Sparkling Beverage fruit flavors.
Recognizing the company's growth, Jack arranged for the acquisition of property that had formerly been the Crown Overall Factory, a site that would accommodate the company's expansion for decades to come. Jack passed away in 1960, and three years later, Kathryn Day relocated the business to the site he had purchased on Old Dixie Highway. That facility, now addressed on Cumberland Falls Highway, remains the operating headquarters today.
In 1960, it was almost unheard of for a woman to serve as President and CEO of a company. Kathryn Day took that responsibility with great pride, intelligence, and foresight. Under her leadership, Pepsi Corbin continued to build market share across Southeastern Kentucky, meeting stiff competition from other bottlers in the area and coming out ahead.
Over time, new packages and products reshaped the business. The 16 oz. returnable bottle became the dominant package for years. The Pepsi-Cola Company introduced its own flavors, including Patio, which eventually made Day's Sparkling Beverages a drink of the past.
Pepsi Corbin continued to expand its portfolio, adding Dr Pepper in 1971, followed by Grapette and Orange Crush shortly after. As consumers became more health-conscious, diet drinks entered the lineup. And the introduction of Mountain Dew, a drink promoting "hillbilly mountain freshness," proved to be one of the most successful product decisions in the company's history. Mountain Dew remains one of the most popular beverages in the portfolio today.
The shift from returnable glass bottles to non-returnable packaging brought the 2-liter plastic bottle and, eventually, the can. On November 30, 1994, the last 16 oz. returnable bottle came off the production line. That line was converted to a high-tech system producing 2-liters and 20 oz. non-returnables. In 1995, Pepsi Corbin installed its own can line, allowing in-house production of 12 oz. soft drinks. On a good 10-hour day, the facility can now produce 25,000 cases of soft drinks, compared to the 200 cases Jack Day made by hand in 1938.
In the mid-1970s, a distribution center was established in Somerset, Kentucky to better serve customers in that region. Several sales routes now operate from the Somerset warehouse, along with equipment delivery and service.
In 1995, the company purchased Breaktime Vending Southeast, LLC, extending its reach with a full line of snack vending.
In 2001, a local distributing company, now called Breaktime Distributing, was acquired, offering snack items including Grippo's and MikeSell's potato chips to independent distributors throughout Kentucky.
In 2010, Breaktime grew further by purchasing Madison Vending Co. (now Breaktime-Richmond), expanding into the Richmond and Lexington area. Breaktime Vending, Breaktime-Richmond, and Breaktime Distributing have become integral parts of the company's growth.
As the company grew, the vending department along with Breaktime Vending and Breaktime Distributing were relocated to warehouse and office space in the Industrial Park just off the Corbin bypass. In 2010 and again in 2017, construction at the main facility added 31,490 square feet of warehouse space, bringing the total production and warehouse footprint to 140,586 square feet.
Pepsi Corbin's commitment to producing and selling premium quality products has been recognized nationally throughout its history. Recent awards include the President's Award in 2007, 2009, and 2010; the Caleb Bradham Gold and Platinum Award in 2015; the Caleb Bradham Gold Award in 2016; the Caleb Bradham Bronze Award in 2018; and the Caleb Bradham Silver Award in 2019.
In January 2020, a new Pac-Tech system was installed to apply new carriers for various bottle sizes. Additional investments in packing, palletizing, and conveyor systems have continued to modernize the production facility. Both Breaktime facilities have also added Light Speed Technology to their warehouses to ensure accuracy and efficiency in order fulfillment.
In late 2025, Pepsi Bottling Company of Corbin expanded its territory by acquiring Pepsi Southwest Virginia from the Hunnicutt family, who had successfully operated the Norton, Virginia franchise since 1948. The Hunnicutt family entrusted Pepsi Corbin to continue running the business as a family-owned operation. The company now serves seven Virginia counties: Buchanan, Tazewell, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, and Wise.
In spite of all the changes over the years, some things remain the same. Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Corbin is still a family-owned, independent bottling corporation, holding one of the highest market shares among the major bottling companies in the area. From 200 cases loaded into a pickup truck in 1938 to a 140,000+ square foot production and distribution operation serving customers across Kentucky and Virginia, the company continues to be a leader of growth and industry in the communities it serves.
The foundational values Jack and Kathryn Day built this company on haven't changed: produce a quality product, provide dependable service, and take care of the communities that have supported us for nearly nine decades.
Contact Info & Service Area Information
Counties served
- Whitley
- Laurel
- Knox
- Bell
- Clay
- Pulaski
- Lincoln
- Rockcastle
- McCreary
- Jackson