Four years after acquiring the business, 3G Capital had managed to put Burger King back in growth mode. However, the Burger King brand itself was still lacking momentum and it was unclear if its celebrity-heavy ad campaign would work.

In the non-alcoholic beverage industry, barriers to entry are low as production is relatively easy. Although thousands of new drinks flood the market each year, the non-alcoholic segment provides fertile ground for innovative start-ups. In a mass-market dominated by big players, branding is key.

The Michel et Augustin case tells the story of Michel de Rovira and Augustin Paluel-Marmont as they set up their company Michel et Augustin in 2005 to brand and sell sablé cookies. The founders have a vision of creating a brand that can prosper in a competitive market dominated by big players and full of commoditized offerings.

The case describes the introduction of New Coke in response to the Pepsi Challenge, an advertising campaign that used taste tests to support the claim that Pepsi Cola was a superior product. Instead of strengthening Coca-Cola's market share position, the product change resulted in a consumer rebellion and a publicity disaster for Coca-Cola.