Part 4/8:
Despite early challenges—such as the sugar shortages caused by World War I—Hatcher and RC managed to thrive. They even constructed their own refinery to regain control over sugar supplies. But in a cruel twist, after a successful run, a lawsuit from Coca-Cola forced them to change the name of Cherro Cola due to trademark issues. This setback severely impacted sales and led to the eventual discontinuation of the product.
However, RC's resilience was notable; they quickly pivoted and introduced another successful product, a fruit-flavored soda called Knee-High, which served as their primary offering for a while. Unfortunately, challenges persisted, and the company faced hardship during the Great Depression, compounded with the sudden death of Claude Hatcher.