Part 6/8:
Despite their successes, the tides turned for RC Cola once again in the late 1960s and beyond. The banning of cyclamate, a key sweetener for Diet Rite, hampered RC's ability to maintain its position in the booming diet soda market. Missteps in diversification, including investments in non-beverage companies, diluted RC's focus and resources.
The situation further deteriorated when RC was acquired by Victor Posner in 1984, notorious for his hostile takeovers and cost-cutting strategies. Under Posner's leadership, RC's performance declined steeply, ultimately resulting in its sale to Tri-Ark in 1993, which led to a series of further ownership changes.