Soon after opening his own brewery in 1895, Lehrkind also entered the soft drink business, making sarsaparilla and lemon soda.

In 2010, the Lindley Corporation celebrated 100 years in the soft drink business.

Howell was not new to the soft drink business, having earlier introduced Howell's Orange Julep.

Indeed, in the soft drink business, incremental sales dollars drop straight to the bottom line.

"I have a funny feeling they're going to do it again with the drink business," he added.

The carbonated soft drink business largely met analysts' expectations.

The company says it believes that, despite the recent industry downturn, its carbonated soft drink business can still grow in the United States.

He added: "Coke is fully committed to its international soft drink business.

The carbonated soft drink business proved disappointing.

Fountain sales account for about 21 percent of the $45.6 billion soft drink business.