Berkshire Hathaway vs PepsiCo: Founders, CEOs and History
Berkshire Hathaway was founded in 1839 by Oliver Chace, Warren Edward Buffett and is led by Greg Abel. PepsiCo was founded in 1965 by Caleb Bradham, Donald M. Kendall, Herman W. Lay and is led by Ramon Laguarta.
Company facts
Berkshire Hathaway
- Founded
- 1839
- Headquarters
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Current CEO
- Greg Abel
- Employees
- 387,800
PepsiCo
- Founded
- 1965
- Headquarters
- Purchase, New York, United States
- Current CEO
- Ramon Laguarta
- Employees
- 306,000
Founders
Berkshire Hathaway
Oliver Chace
Berkshire Hathaway is famous not for the men who originally founded it, but for the man who conquered and reinvented it. The original company, the Valley Falls Company, was a textile manufacturer established by Oliver Chace in Rhode Island in 1839.
Warren Edward Buffett
Warren Buffett effectively refounded Berkshire Hathaway beginning in 1965 when his investment partnership gained control of the struggling New England textile company and he became its chairman and CEO.
PepsiCo
Caleb Bradham
Caleb Bradham created "Brad's Drink" at his New Bern pharmacy in 1898, renamed it Pepsi-Cola and incorporated the Pepsi-Cola Company in 1902.
Donald M. Kendall
Donald M. Kendall led Pepsi-Cola and engineered its 1965 merger with Frito-Lay to form PepsiCo, which he ran as CEO until 1986.
Herman W. Lay
Herman W. Lay (1909-1982) started his career as a snack food salesman. In 1932, he opened a snack food operation in Nashville, Tennessee, eventually purchasing the manufacturer and renaming it H.W. Lay & Company.
CEOs and their tenures
Berkshire Hathaway
- Seabury Stanton1955–1965
President
Stanton ran Hathaway Manufacturing from the 1930s and led the 1955 merger with Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates that created Berkshire Hathaway Inc. He closed plants and used liquidation proceeds to buy back stock as New England textiles declined.
Source - Warren Buffett1965–2025
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway in 1965 and turned a shrinking textile maker into a holding company built on insurance float.
Source - Greg Abel2026–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Abel became President and CEO on January 1, 2026 after the board approved the succession in May 2025.
Source
PepsiCo
- D. Wayne Calloway1986–1996
Chief Executive Officer
He more than doubled PepsiCo's revenues during his tenure and heavily invested in the restaurant division before it was later spun off.
Source - Roger Enrico1996–2001
Chief Executive Officer
He dramatically simplified the company's structure, allowing it to focus resources on its core grocery and convenience store distribution networks.
Source - Steven Reinemund2001–2006
Chief Executive Officer
He oversaw significant international expansion and revenue growth, setting a strong operational foundation before handing leadership to Nooyi.
Source - Indra Nooyi2006–2018
Chief Executive Officer
Under her 12-year tenure as CEO, PepsiCo's revenue grew by more than 80%, and she fundamentally reshaped the company's identity from a junk-food purveyor to a diversified global food and beverage giant.
Source - Ramon Laguarta2018–present
Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer
He sustained strong organic revenue growth and protected operating margins through historically challenging supply chain conditions, while committing the company to major sustainability and packaging reduction goals.
Source
Timeline: Berkshire Hathaway and PepsiCo side by side
1839Berkshire Hathaway
Valley Falls Company Founded
Oliver Chace founds the Valley Falls Company in Valley Falls, Rhode Island, as a cotton textile manufacturer. Chace had learned the trade working with Samuel Slater and built his first mill in 1806.
1898PepsiCo
Pepsi-Cola Invented in North Carolina
Caleb Bradham formulated the original digestive cola syrup in his drugstore.
1955Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Fine Spinning and Hathaway Manufacturing Merge
Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates and Hathaway Manufacturing combine and take the Berkshire Hathaway name.
1962Berkshire Hathaway
Buffett Partnership Buys Its First Berkshire Shares
Buffett Partnership Ltd. buys its first Berkshire Hathaway shares in December 1962. Buffett was drawn to the pattern of Berkshire closing plants and using the liquidation proceeds to repurchase its own stock.
1964Berkshire Hathaway
Tender Offer Dispute With Seabury Stanton
Berkshire president Seabury Stanton asks Buffett at what price Buffett Partnership would sell, agrees to $11.50 a share, then mails a tender offer at $11.375.
1965Berkshire Hathaway
Buffett Takes Control and Names Ken Chace President
Buffett Partnership takes control of Berkshire Hathaway in May 1965 and Stanton leaves. Buffett selects Ken Chace, a long-time employee, as president to run the textile operation, and the cash it generates is pointed at other industries.
1965PepsiCo
Historic Merger of Pepsi-Cola & Frito-Lay
Donald Kendall and Herman Lay created PepsiCo, uniting snacks and soft drinks.
1967Berkshire Hathaway
Entry Into Insurance With National Indemnity
Early in 1967 Berkshire pays $8.6 million to buy National Indemnity Company and a small sister insurer from owner Jack Ringwalt.
1972Berkshire Hathaway
See's Candies Bought for $25 Million
Blue Chip Stamps, controlled by Buffett and Munger and later merged into Berkshire, buys See's Candies for $25 million.
1975PepsiCo
Launch of the Pepsi Challenge
National blind taste tests shook Coca-Cola's market dominance and redefined advertising.
1985Berkshire Hathaway
Textile Operations Closed
Buffett decides in July 1985 to close Berkshire's textile operation and the shutdown is largely complete by year end. He described it as finally throwing in the towel after twenty years of unremitting struggle with the business.
1996Berkshire Hathaway
GEICO Becomes Wholly Owned and Class B Shares Created
Berkshire buys the remaining 49% of GEICO on January 2, 1996, having held 51%, and GEICO becomes a wholly owned subsidiary. Shareholders also approve a recapitalization creating Class B shares with the economic rights of one thirtieth of a Class A share.
1997PepsiCo
Restaurant Business Spun Off
PepsiCo spun off its restaurant businesses (Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC) as Tricon Global Restaurants, now Yum! Brands, in 1997.
1998Berkshire Hathaway
General Re and Executive Jet Acquired
Berkshire acquires reinsurer General Re and fractional-aircraft operator Executive Jet.
1998PepsiCo
Acquisition of Tropicana ($3.3B)
Acquired chilled orange juice leader Tropicana to dominate morning beverages.
2001PepsiCo
Acquisition of Quaker Oats & Gatorade ($13.4B)
Acquired Quaker Oats, adding sports hydration pioneer Gatorade to the portfolio.
2006PepsiCo
Indra Nooyi becomes CEO
Indra Nooyi became CEO of PepsiCo in 2006. Chief executive of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018.
2010Berkshire Hathaway
BNSF Railway Acquired
Berkshire completes its purchase of Burlington Northern Santa Fe in the first quarter of 2010.
2011PepsiCo
Wimm-Bill-Dann Acquired
PepsiCo completed its acquisition of the Russian dairy and juice company Wimm-Bill-Dann in 2011.
2016Berkshire Hathaway
Precision Castparts Acquired
Berkshire completes the purchase of Precision Castparts, an aerospace and industrial components maker, for $235 a share in cash.
2018Berkshire Hathaway
Abel and Jain Named Vice Chairmen
Berkshire's board expands from twelve to fourteen directors and elects Greg Abel and Ajit Jain.
2018PepsiCo
Acquisition of SodaStream ($3.2B) & Ramon Laguarta Appointed CEO
Acquired SodaStream to pioneer eco-friendly dispensing; Ramon Laguarta took over as CEO.
2022Berkshire Hathaway
Alleghany Corporation Acquired
Berkshire completes the acquisition of insurer Alleghany Corporation on October 19, 2022, paying $848.02 a share in cash for a total equity value of about $11.6 billion and adding the TransRe reinsurance business.
2022PepsiCo
Strategic Distribution Alliance with Celsius ($550M)
Secured master global distribution for fast-growing energy brand Celsius.
2024Berkshire Hathaway
Market Value Tops $1 Trillion
Berkshire's market capitalization passes $1 trillion on August 28, 2024, making it the first US company outside the technology sector to reach that level.
2024Berkshire Hathaway
Pilot Travel Centers Fully Owned
Berkshire acquires the remaining 20% of Pilot Travel Centers on January 16, 2024 and takes full ownership. It had bought 38.6% in 2017 and a further 41.4% for about $8.2 billion in January 2023.
2025Berkshire Hathaway
Board Approves Abel as CEO From January 2026
Berkshire announces in May 2025 that Greg Abel will become President and Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2026, with Warren Buffett remaining Chairman of the Board.
2025PepsiCo
poppi Acquisition and Elliott-Backed Plan
Closed the $1.95 billion poppi deal and announced a North America cost and pricing reset in December.
2026Berkshire Hathaway
Abel Becomes CEO and Buffett Becomes Chairman Emeritus
Abel takes over as CEO on January 1, 2026 and Berkshire completes the $9.7 billion purchase of OxyChem from Occidental on January 2. On September 18, 2026 Buffett is named Chairman Emeritus and remains a director, and his son Howard G.
2026PepsiCo
Price Cuts on Core Snacks
Lowered prices on major Frito-Lay brands by up to 15% to recover US volumes.
Acquisitions
Berkshire Hathaway
- OxyChem (Occidental Chemical Corporation)2026$9.7B
- Alleghany Corporation2022$11.6B
- Precision Castparts Corp.2016$37.2B
- Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation (BNSF)2010$44B
- McLane Company2003$1.5B
- General Re Corporation1998$22B
PepsiCo
- poppi2025$1.9B
- SodaStream International2018$3.2B
- The Quaker Oats Company (including Gatorade)2001$13.4B
- Tropicana Products1998$3.3B
Questions about Berkshire Hathaway vs PepsiCo
Who is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and PepsiCo, Inc.?
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is led by Greg Abel and PepsiCo, Inc. is led by Ramon Laguarta. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Berkshire Hathaway Inc. founded vs PepsiCo, Inc.?
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. was founded in 1839 — 126 years before PepsiCo, Inc., which was founded in 1965. Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger PepsiCo, Inc..
How many employees does Berkshire Hathaway Inc. have compared to PepsiCo, Inc.?
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. employs approximately 387,800 people, while PepsiCo, Inc. employs approximately 306,000. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has the larger workforce at 387,800 employees, compared to PepsiCo, Inc.'s 306,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and PepsiCo, Inc. headquartered?
Both Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and PepsiCo, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and PepsiCo, Inc.?
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. was founded by Oliver Chace, Warren Edward Buffett. PepsiCo, Inc. was founded by Caleb Bradham, Donald M. Kendall, Herman W. Lay.
Which company has a longer operating history — Berkshire Hathaway Inc. or PepsiCo, Inc.?
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. has been operating for approximately 187 years, making it the more established of the two companies. PepsiCo, Inc. has been in operation for around 61 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Berkshire Hathaway vs PepsiCo overview