How to Start Your Own Cola Brand

Step 1 — Define the product and market

Decide your cola category: classic cola, flavoured/different-colour cola (e.g. yellow cola), caffeinated or caffeine-free, sugar or sugar-free. This decision drives the recipe, label language and certification needs. Gulf markets, for example, usually require Halal certification and Arabic labels; EU markets have their own label rules.

Step 2 — Develop the cola recipe

A serious manufacturer develops the formula with you rather than selling a ready liquid. A cola typically contains natural cola flavour, caramel colour, phosphoric acid (acidity) and sweetening (sugar and/or sweeteners such as acesulfame K and sucralose). Caffeine is fully flexible: Hema's Black Cola and Kara Kola contain 150 mg/L caffeine, while Yellow Cola is caffeine-free — so both caffeinated and caffeine-free are possible for your brand.

Step 3 — Choose the can size and design

The most common cola format is the 330 ml can; thanks to three parallel lines, 250 ml and 500 ml can also be produced on demand. Your brand is carried by the can design: an existing design is adapted to the manufacturer's print template, otherwise the manufacturer's team supports can and label design.

Step 4 — Understand MOQ, plan the budget

Because printed cans are brand-specific, private label orders have a minimum. At Hema İçecek the private label minimum is set by the printed-can minimum of ~250,000 cans. In practice this means roughly:

Figures are approximate — loading is weight-limited (~26-27 tonnes per container) and finalised with the packing list. Price is set by formula, can size and quantity, in a tailored quote. See the production cost guide for cost items (they apply to cola too).

Step 5 — Certifications and compliance

Ask your manufacturer for ISO 9001, ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP and Halal — covering quality management, food safety and access to Muslim-majority markets. Review the documents on the certifications page. The label must suit each target market.

Step 6 — Production and timeline

After order confirmation and printed-can supply, production usually takes 4-6 weeks. Hema İçecek runs three parallel lines and can fill three different sizes at once; annual capacity is about 250 million cans. A 24-month shelf life is standard for cola.

Step 7 — Logistics and delivery terms

Beverages ship in full containers. Common delivery terms are EXW, FOB and CIF; payment is by letter of credit (L/C). Factory location matters: Hema İçecek's Torbalı/İzmir plant is ~25 km from İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport and ~45 km from İzmir Port, speeding up both raw-material supply and export shipping. The company exports to 30+ countries. See our export page for detail.

Mini FAQ

What is the minimum order to start my own cola brand?

Because printed cans are brand-specific, the minimum is set by the printed can (~250,000 cans). That is 3×40ft at 250 ml, 4×40ft at 330 ml and 6×40ft at 500 ml.

Is caffeine required in cola? Can you produce caffeine-free cola?

Yes. Our classic colas contain 150 mg/L caffeine, but we also produce a caffeine-free cola (Yellow Cola); caffeine can be tuned for your brand.

Is a sugar-free or low-calorie cola possible?

Yes — using sweeteners instead of sugar, low-calorie or sugar-free versions can be produced.

What should I prepare before requesting a quote?

Product type (classic/flavoured, caffeinated/caffeine-free, sugar/sugar-free), can size, estimated quantity and target country. With these, the maker can prepare a realistic quote quickly.