Our Story
Our Story

Our Story

Franklin & Sons story starts over 130 years ago in 1886 when the originally named Franklin & Brothers company was founded by Frederick, the entrepreneur, Albert, the builder, and George, the author and traveller.

After journeying to the USA and discovering the different drinking habits of big, busy cities such as Chicago and Buffalo, Frederick Franklin was inspired with ideas that would later define Franklin & Brothers.

1886 - 1887: Frederick began by running a confectioners shop in London and behind that shop Franklin and Brothers was born. It would also inspire flavours for the brothers flavoured soda waters such as Lemon Taffy Soda, Butterscotchade, Sparkling Fig and Stick Jaw Beer. The three brothers Frederick, George and Albert began with bottling mineral waters and their sweet-inspired soda waters but eventually classic flavours such as Ginger beer became the focus.

1890: With families being made, the brothers decided to rebrand the business as Franklin & Sons to show a commitment to family and it was also at this time that the iconic Franklin & Sons bottles were created.

1895: A trip to India to find and taste ginger nearly ends in tragedy as the brothers' sails rip and the only way to solve the problem was to tie together all the baggy pantaloons they'd purchased during their trip and makeshift a sail that would bring them home safely.

1905: A fermentation explosion threatens the business, Ginger beer becomes the best seller, and Albert sees the need for keeping up with demand and streamlining costs so builds a returnable bottle system.

1910: George sees a need to diversify the brands offerings and begins to sell products via horse and cart. These horses also became useful to the fire brigade which some of the other family members were part of.

1915: Making the pages of the local newspaper with his heroics, Frederick thwarts robbers whilst transporting overbubbling, fermenting ginger beer back to the factory.

1918: The lead stallion Charlie is the first horse to be awarded a medal after playing an integral part in saving the mayor's cat from a tree.

1920: Frederick, Albert and George harness their individual talents and continue to show a shared vision and determination during the era marked by the fight for equality.

1928: Frederick volunteers as the chief fireman, business is booming and their Rickmansworth site is expanded.

1930: Pushing boundaries with flavour and innovation, Franklin & Sons broadened their product range to include new flavours, Cherryade, Limeade and Cream Soda.

1940: Things were getting messy in the factory when trying to make cream fizzy and it took a year to perfect the process.

1960: Facilities were expanded again and the brands dedication to excellence and innovation set industry standards.

1989: After almost a century of trading, Franklin & Sons is bought by a bigger company and ceases all trading.

2015: Global Brands sees the potential in the brand and revives Franklin & Sons, honouring its roots with innovation, natural ingredients, British produce and a dedication to quality but bringing it into the modern day.

2024: Franklin & Sons is distributed around the world, maintains a passion for quality flavours and continues to honour the legacy of Franklin & Brothers.

Franklin & Sons Premium Indian Tonic Water image

Franklin & Sons Premium Indian Tonic Water

A carbonated tonic water made with sparkling water, natural cinchona bark extract from Ecuador and British sugar.

Franklin & Sons Original Mallorcan Tonic Water image

Franklin & Sons Original Mallorcan Tonic Water

Franklin & Sons Original Mallorcan Tonic Water is made with Mallorcan citrus, natural botanicals and Mediterranean flavours blended with classic cinchona

Franklin & Sons Grapefruit & Bergamot Tonic Water image

Franklin & Sons Grapefruit & Bergamot Tonic Water

Grapefruit & Bergamot Tonic Water with a light pink grapefruit and bergamot citrusy flavour.

Franklin & Sons Rhubarb & Hibiscus Tonic Water image

Franklin & Sons Rhubarb & Hibiscus Tonic Water

Franklin & Sons Rhubarb & Hibiscus Tonic Water is made with natural rhubarb and hibiscus flavours blended with cinchona bark extract and sparkling water.

Franklin & Sons Elderflower & Cucumber Tonic Water image

Franklin & Sons Elderflower & Cucumber Tonic Water

Franklin & Sons Elderflower & Cucumber Tonic Water is made with cinchona bark extract blended with elderflower and cucumber flavours, invogorated with

Franklin & Sons Sicilian Lemon Tonic image

Franklin & Sons Sicilian Lemon Tonic

A carbonated lemon tonic water made with sparkling water, Sicilian lemons and cinchona bark extract (quinine).

Franklin & Sons Premium Light Tonic Water image

Franklin & Sons Premium Light Tonic Water

Franklin & Sons Premium Light Tonic uses the same natural botanical and citrus flavours as their Premium Indian Tonic Water but with a third fewer calories.

Franklin & Sons Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic Water image

Franklin & Sons Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic Water

Franklin & Sons Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic Water blends natural rosemary, olive flavours and cinchona bark extract with sparkling water.

Franklin & Sons Original Lemonade image

Franklin & Sons Original Lemonade

A clear carbonated lemonade made with sparkling water and South American lemon juice.

Franklin & Sons Natural Rose Lemonade image

Franklin & Sons Natural Rose Lemonade

This floral twist on Franklin & Sons' 1886 Original Lemonade is made with English rose petals, lemon juice and sparkling water.

Franklin & Sons Original Ginger Ale image

Franklin & Sons Original Ginger Ale

Franklin & Sons Original Ginger Ale is made with a blend of natural root ginger extract and sparkling water. It is recommended to be served mixed with

Franklin & Sons 1886 Original Cola image

Franklin & Sons 1886 Original Cola

Franklin & Sons 1886 Original Cola is made with a blend of vanilla, West African kola nut, Colombian coffee beans and sparkling water.

Franklin & Sons Brewed Ginger Beer image

Franklin & Sons Brewed Ginger Beer

A carbonated British ginger beer brewed with malted barley. Contains no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners and no preservatives.

Franklin & Sons 1886 Soda Water image

Franklin & Sons 1886 Soda Water

Crystal-clear carbonated water with sodium bicarbonate for mixing with any spirit or in cocktails.

 Franklin & Sons Pink Grapefruit Soda image

Franklin & Sons Pink Grapefruit Soda

Franklin & Sons Pink Grapefruit Soda is a natural blend of pink grapefruit and lime juices with sparkling water.

Franklin & Sons Guava & Lime Soda image

Franklin & Sons Guava & Lime Soda

Franklin & Sons Guava & Lime Soda is a blend of natural guava and Tahitian lime flavours, a hint of ginger, and sparkling water.

Franklin & Sons Mandarin & Ginger Soda image

Franklin & Sons Mandarin & Ginger Soda

Mandarin and ginger blended with sparkling water to make a light and subtle soda.

Franklin & Sons Pineapple & Almond Soda image

Franklin & Sons Pineapple & Almond Soda

Described as being A light and low soda with pineapple, lime and almond flavours.

Welcome to Difford's Guide

All editorial and photography on this website is copyright protected

© Odd Firm of Sin 2024