You’re standing in a gas station in the middle of nowhere. The floor is slightly sticky, the fluorescent lights are humming, and you’re staring into the depths of a glass-front cooler. Amidst the $4.50 sports drinks and the "premium" waters that cost more than a gallon of gas, there it is. The checkered teal and pink can. It says 99¢ in a font so bold it feels like a dare.
But then you look at the price tag on the shelf. It says $1.29. Or maybe $1.49 if you’re in a high-rent zip code.
Wait. How much are Arizona teas supposed to be, really?
Honestly, it’s the greatest mystery in the modern American grocery store. For thirty years, the answer was a flat buck. Today? It’s complicated. Don Vultaggio, the guy who started the whole thing in Brooklyn back in '92, has spent half his life fighting to keep that price under a dollar. But as of 2026, the "99-cent dream" is facing its biggest boss battle yet.
The 99-Cent Myth vs. Reality
Most people think the price is a law. It isn't. AriZona Beverages doesn't actually own the convenience store you're standing in. They just sell the cans to the store.
If a shopkeeper wants to put a sticker over that "99¢" print and charge you $2.00, they technically can. AriZona hates it. They’ve even gone as far as to set up social media "call-out" campaigns where fans can report stores that overcharge. But at the end of the day, the MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) is just that—a suggestion.
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What are you actually paying?
- The 22oz Tallboy: Usually still $0.99, but increasingly $1.29 in urban areas.
- The 20oz Plastic Bottles: These actually used to be $1.25. Fun fact: The company recently dropped the price of these to $1.00 to encourage people to buy more volume.
- Gallons: Usually between $3.49 and $4.99 depending on if it's on sale at Kroger or Target.
- Multipacks: A 12-pack of cans on their official site goes for about $24.99, which is wild because that’s way more than $0.99 a can. You're basically paying for the shipping weight.
Why the price is finally wobbling
Inflation is a beast, but AriZona survived the 2008 crash and the 2020 supply chain nightmare without flinching. So why now?
Aluminum.
The company uses over 100 million pounds of the stuff every year. In late 2025, the conversation shifted because of massive 50% tariffs on imported aluminum. About 20% of AriZona’s cans come from Canadian aluminum. When the cost of the "jar" goes up by double digits, the tea inside—which is basically just water, high fructose corn syrup, and tea solids—doesn't matter as much. The metal is the expensive part.
Don Vultaggio told The New York Times recently that he "hates even the thought" of raising the price. He’s 73 now. He’s a guy who grew up in Brooklyn watching his dad manage an A&P grocery store. He knows that once you move that price to $1.25, the magic is gone.
The Secret Sauce of Cheap Tea
How have they done it for so long? Basically, they don't spend money on anything that isn't the drink.
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Most beverage companies spend millions on Super Bowl ads or paying celebrities like Beyoncé to hold a bottle. AriZona doesn't do that. Their marketing is the can itself. The "99¢" is the ad.
They also run a insanely efficient operation. They thinned out the aluminum in the cans (it’s about 40% thinner than it used to be). They narrowed the neck of the can to save a fraction of a penny on the lid. They even bought their own rail connection to bring sugar in cheaper.
It's a game of pennies. If they save 0.005 cents on a label, that’s a win.
How to find the 99-cent cans near you
If you’re tired of seeing the marked-up prices, you have to look at the can design.
Look for the cans that have "99¢" printed directly on the metal. If the can is "naked" (no price printed), the retailer has likely ordered a special batch of unpriced cans specifically so they can charge you more.
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Where to shop for the best deals:
- Big Box Stores: Places like WinCo or Woodman's almost always honor the 99-cent price.
- Walgreens/CVS: They often run "2 for $1.50" sales, which actually beats the 99-cent MSRP.
- Check the Plastic: If the tallboy is $1.50, look for the 20oz plastic bottles. As mentioned, the company is pushing those at $1.00 flat to offset the aluminum crisis.
What happens if the price goes up?
There’s a real fear in the business world that AriZona is the "canary in the coal mine." If the 99-cent tea goes to $1.50, it signifies a permanent shift in American purchasing power.
But for now, the company is "holding the line." They are debt-free. They don't have shareholders screaming for higher quarterly profits. They just have a founder who is stubborn enough to think that a kid should be able to walk into a store with a single crumpled dollar bill and walk out with a drink.
If you want to ensure you're getting the best price, your best bet is to avoid "convenience" locations. Airport kiosks and hotel gift shops will charge you $3.50 for that same can without blinking. Stick to the high-volume grocery stores where the stock turns over every day.
Next time you see a can for 99 cents, appreciate it. It’s a relic of a different era of business, and it might not last another thirty years.
To save money on your next haul, check the bottom shelf of the juice aisle at your local supermarket rather than the refrigerated grab-and-go section; supermarkets often price the shelf-stable cans at the true 99-cent MSRP, while the cold ones in the front cooler carry a convenience markup.