46. Quaker’s Costly Mistake with Snapple Purchase

Year: 1994

Location: Chicago

Company: Quaker

Estimated Damage Value: $1.4 billion*

In 1994, the acquisition of Snapple by Quaker for an impressive $1.7 billion was a notable event, symbolizing a significant investment in the beverage industry. However, this decision eventually led to a massive financial loss for Quaker.

Merely three years after their ambitious acquisition, Quaker offloaded Snapple to Triarc Companies for only $300 million, realizing a loss exceeding $1.4 billion. This move underscored a miscalculated investment, possibly overlooking competitive offers from companies like Coca-Cola.