Kola Escocesa: Arequipa’s soft drink built by three generations
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In Arequipa, Peru, the Odiaga family built Kola Escocesa from a small operation in the 1940s into a regional soft drink brand.
Armando Odiaga began the business using his knowledge of flavors and access to mineral water sources in Yura. He initially filled bottles by hand, delivering them to Arequipa. In the 1970s, his son Fernando returned from England and saved the company from potential sale by reorganizing production and preserving technical standards.
The family faced challenges including government regulations and economic hardship in the 1970s and 80s, but they adapted by prioritizing cost control and the quality of their water source. Later, the third generation of Odiagas modernized production with automated lines and expanded distribution, first within Arequipa and then to Lima. They also diversified their product line, adding new beverages and reviving older brands like Pasteurina.
Despite opportunities to sell, the Odiaga family has prioritised maintaining ownership to preserve the company’s legacy and connection to its local roots in Arequipa and the Yura region. They continue to invest in the business, with a recent US$1.2 million investment planned.
