How Faygo Soda Became A Classic Michigan Drink

Its first flavors were based on frosting

At the dawn of the 20th century, Detroit emerged as a significant hub for immigrants. Among these newcomers were Perry and Ben Feigenson. Perry initially worked as a baker, but after a brief period in that field, he decided to venture into selling soda water and later, soft drinks. With Ben's assistance, he began experimenting with flavors inspired by frosting recipes, including strawberry (popularly known as "red pop"), grape, and fruit punch. One reason Faygo remained a local brand was due to the drink's tendency to lose its fizz quickly, making it unsuitable for long-distance distribution. This issue was resolved when the factory upgraded its water filtration system in the 1950s. By the following decade, the soda started to reach markets beyond Michigan. However, similar to smaller brands from other regions—such as Cheerwine, the cherry-flavored soda favored by five U.S. presidents—Faygo continued to prioritize its local roots.

Faygo even influenced the language of the state. While the term "pop" for fizzy soft drinks had been around since the 1800s, Faygo's embrace of the word popularized its use in Michigan. "Faygo has been ahead of most other companies in insisting that we call it pop, and because of that, the Detroit area refers to it as 'pop' more often than any other part of the country," Joe Grimm, author of "The Faygo Book," stated in an interview with Michigan Public in 2018.