Kendall, Donald M(cIntosh) (1921– )

US food products executive. As president of Pepsi-Cola International 1953–63 he tripled overseas sales. Under his aggressive and often ruthless leadership as president and chief executive, Pepsi initiated its famous ‘Pepsi Generation’ (1964) and ‘Pepsi Challenge’ (1975) advertising campaigns, both greatly increasing its sales. The firm's acquisitions (Frito-Lay, Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken) made it the country's largest snack/fast food company.

He was born in Sequim, Washington. He distinguished himself as a bomber pilot in the Pacific in World War II and after the war became a New York City salesman for Pepsi-Cola. He rapidly rose in the corporate sales management hierarchy. He caused a sensation by arranging for Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev to be photographed drinking Pepsi in 1959. Pepsi became the first US consumer goods manufacturer to set up production operations in the then Soviet Union in 1974.