Why Is AriZona Iced Tea Still 99 Cents After 30 Years?

AriZona has printed 99 cents on its 22-ounce Big Can since 1996. If that price had kept up with US inflation, it would be about $2.13 today. From the 1996 average to September 2026, US consumer prices rose about 115%, carbonated drinks in the price index about 105% and aluminum about 118%. AriZona says it holds the price with lighter cans, its own New Jersey plant, overnight deliveries and minimal traditional advertising, and by absorbing costs such as a tripled corn syrup bill. After the 2025 rise in US aluminum tariffs from 25% to 50%, TODAY reported that the company's cans cost about 40% more. After inflation, today's 99 cents is worth about 46 cents in 1996 money.