Islamabad : PepsiCo Pakistan, in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation and
leading micro-entrepreneurship nonprofit SeedOut, has launched the PepsiCo Rise Together Program,
Economic Empowerment Program a flagship social and economic empowerment initiative designed to
help restore livelihoods and strengthen community resilience across Pakistan.
For decades, Pakistan’s street-food culture has been more than a culinary tradition, it has been a source
of income for hundreds of thousands of micro-entrepreneurs whose carts bring flavor, familiarity, and
vibrancy to city streets. But rising inflation, declining consumer spending, and the devastating 2025 floods have pushed this vital sector to the edge, leaving many vendors without carts, savings, or the means to
support their families.
Against this backdrop, PepsiCo Pakistan and its iconic brand 7UP, with support from the PepsiCo Foundation, have stepped forward with a program that blends economic recovery with human dignity.
This two-year economic empowerment program aims to reintegrate over 200+ street-food vendors in
year 1, positively impacting more than 1,600+ individuals, by providing modern food carts, interest-free
microfinancing, and formal training in food hygiene, financial literacy, customer service, and business
planning. Implemented by SeedOut, the initiative combines global corporate standards with community level expertise, helping ensure support reaches the households most affected by recent economic and environmental shocks.
7UP’s leadership in this effort builds naturally on its long-standing connection to Pakistan’s vibrant food
culture. 7UP will amplify the stories of participating vendors through a 360-degree storytelling campaign,
spotlighting their resilience, their challenges, and their journey back to stability.
The initiative reinforces
PepsiCo Pakistan’s broader #InWithForPakistan focus on uplifting communities and contributing to
sustainable national recovery.
“Street-food vendors are an essential part of both our culture and our economy,” said Furqan Ahmed Syed,
Chief Commercial Officer, PepsiCo International Beverages & General Manager, PepsiCo Pakistan
Beverages. “Helping them rebuild their livelihoods is the need of the hour, and this programme reflects
our belief that corporations must play an active role in strengthening the communities they serve. Street
food shapes the pulse of our youth and our culture, and with this program, PepsiCo together with 7UP is
proud to help uplift the vendors who keep that heartbeat alive every day.”
“True recovery begins when families regain dignity and the ability to earn sustainably.
Through the PepsiCo
Rise Together Program, we are not only restoring livelihoods, but rebuilding confidence, resilience, and
long-term economic stability at the community level. At SeedOut, we believe sustainable impact comes
from empowering people with opportunity, not dependency,” said Zain Ashraf Mughal, Founder &
President, SeedOut.
This sentiment is shared by the PepsiCo Foundation.
“This effort goes far beyond financial assistance, it is
about restoring confidence, dignity, and opportunity,” said Hatim Khan, Senior Director, PepsiCo Foundation.
The PepsiCo Rise Together Program is a testament to the power of collaborative, purpose-led action. By
rebuilding one cart, one vendor, and one family at a time, the initiative aims to support sustainable
economic recovery while helping preserve the flavors and traditions that define Pakistan’s street-food heritage.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
