He began his business career in his father’s general merchandise store in Franklin County. At the age of 24 in 1926, Mr. Crisp opened a hatchery and poultry business in Williamson and Franklin counties called Marion Poultry and Hatchery located at 1005 S. Court St. (This is where the wallpaper store is located next to the railroad tracks at the intersection of Court and Boyton.)
Seeing that there was strength in diversifying his business activities and a future in the soft drink industry, he developed a line of soft drinks called Red Rooster and Crisp Flavors which were delivered on his poultry trucks. This venture became the cornerstone for his success.
In 1935, Crisp bought the franchise rights from a struggling New York Pepsi-Cola company. There were approximately 40 competitors in southern Illinois. Pepsi-Cola was a newcomer in the cola product market and only a few staunch believers would predict that it would become America’s number one soft drink.
As Pepsi grew, so did Crisp’s involvement in civic and government affairs. He held memberships in many civic organizations and was elected a Marion City Commissioner in 1931. Elected mayor of Marion in 1935, he served three consecutive terms. He worked to get the Marion VA Hospital and raised funds to complete Marion Memorial Hospital. He lobbied for the Federal Correctional Center to be located in Marion and also for the need for multiple access from Interstate 57 to Marion business places.
Crisp had the qualities it takes to be successful; he could see an opportunity and shoulder the risks involved. Marion Pepsi began with five employees. Their dedication and hard work built the foundation for the company’s future expansion and growth.
His first bottling operation in 1936, was in a building on West White Street near N. Market St., and later moved it to the building at South Court and Boyton Streets where he had operated his hatchery. After he obtained the Pepsi Cola franchise for southern Illinois the growth of the bottling business was phenomenal.
Not discouraged by a fire which destroyed much of his plant on South Court Street in March 1955 , he purchased the former Davis Ford agency building at 700 N. Market St. on the corner of West White and North Market Streets where new equipment was installed, and the business greatly expanded.
In 1960, Marion Pepsi added Orange Crush to its bottling line and in 1966, got the distribution rights to 7 Up and Dr. Pepper. In 1967 they expanded plant operations to Robinson, Illinois.
In 1968, a new $2,000,000 Pepsi-Cola bottling plant was constructed in Marion on Old Route 13 next to Interstate 57 at 2605 W. Main Street and was opened in 1969.
In 1970, the firm held Pepsi Cola franchises in five states and from 1972-74, Marion Pepsi grew to include Mattoon, Illinois and Blytheville, Arkansas.
Harry L. Crisp, Sr. died in 1975 leaving a legacy of a successful business and a continuing imprint upon Marion and the surrounding area.
After Crisp’s death, his son Harry L. Crisp II took the helm of the Marion Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. and served as President and Chief Executive Officer. He had spent years learning the business, working with employees on route trucks, and worked in the plant and the advertising department.
Upon his discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps in 1958, he began his official career with Pepsi. Working with every aspect of the business, he covered the training ground of hard work which had served him well in his present capacity.
He followed his father’s example of community involvement. His range of civic participation includes distinguished positions of leadership on a variety of local, state and national organizations. In January of 1982, the Marion Chamber of Commerce named him as Marion’s “Man of the Year.”
Under both the tenure of Harry L. Crisp, Sr., and Harry L. Crisp II, the changes in the soft drink industry and Marion Pepsi have been great. The Marion Company has grown into the largest individually owned Pepsi bottler in the US.
The plant has been greatly expanded and the number of products has more than doubled. The numbers of jobs are three times what they were in 1975. The company kept pace with the vast market of sugar free and fruit juice added products, having a larger selection of these than all its competitors combined.
The company has built three production plants in Marion, moving to a larger facility each time as the business demanded. The corporate offices are located at the Marion production center located at 2605 W. Main Street, near Interstate 57.
In 1981-83 they expanded to Paducah, Kentucky and Malden, Mo. and in 1989, built a new administration building next to the bottling plant in Marion.
In 1985, Marion Pepsi had branch distribution centers in 5 states; Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri. It maintained over 180 sales routes and a fleet of vehicles in excess of 30. It provided employment for over 500 men and women.
Marion Pepsi has led in the high tech revolution in the soft drink bottling industry. In 1985 it began a major computerization of all aspects of its business including sales, marketing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, payroll and inventory.
In 1986, Marion Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. celebrated its 50th Anniversary.
In 1991 a second bottling line was built at their Marion plant doubling output and in 1995 they added Ocean Spray, All Sport, Lipton Tea and Chocolate Moose to the product line.
In 1997, they opened Crisp Container Corp., a 100,000 square foot plastic bottle manufacturing plant on Skyline Drive in Marion which is serviced by a Crab Orchard and Egyptian railroad spur to the plant.
Harry Lee Crisp III, or Lee as he is commonly referred to, is currently President and Chief Operating Officer of Pepsi MidAmerica and President and Chief Executive Officer of Crisp Container Corporation. Pepsi MidAmericas diverse food and beverage products include Starbucks coffee, Gatorade, and Frito Lay products.
Lee Crisp has 30 United States Patents issued or pending related to fluid dynamics and beverage dispensing including GE Appliances and Smart Dispense technology. This technology was awarded the Popular Science Magazine “Best of What’s New” award as one of the 100 best inventions in 2005.
The company has grown into the largest individually owned Pepsi Bottler in the United States. The plant, which was the newest in the world in 1969, has upgraded all bottling lines in the last six years. The number of jobs has increased three times over what there were in 1975.
Pepsi MidAmerica, as the corporation is known, is located in Marion, Illinois and distributes beverages in portions of Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.
In the intervening years, Marion Pepsi has grown dramatically, both geographically and physically. It continues to occupy a stabilizing influence in the economy of the area and has played a part in the history of Marion and Williamson County.
(Data from 1989 Sesquicentennial History, WCHS; Marion Pepsi 50th anniversary brochure; Pepsi MidAmerica website; Marion city Street Directories; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 06/01/2013)