BLACK mobile logo

united states

Why a famous Montreal sandwich shop has been forced to swap its soda

September 6, 2026

Schwartz's, a renowned delicatessen in Montreal, has discontinued serving an iconic American black cherry soda that had been a staple beverage at the establishment for many years. The restaurant experienced supply difficulties for approximately eight years as their distributor reduced production volumes due to increasing aluminum costs making the cans more expensive to manufacture. Although the establishment initially believed the shortage would be temporary, the product ultimately became permanently unavailable.

Who is affected

  • Schwartz's deli (a famous Montreal sandwich shop/restaurant)
  • Customers of Schwartz's who previously purchased the US-made black cherry soda
  • The US distributor who produced the original black cherry soda
  • The local manufacturer now producing the replacement soda

What action is being taken

  • Schwartz's is serving a locally-made version of black cherry soda as a replacement for the discontinued US product

Why it matters

  • This situation illustrates how supply chain disruptions and rising material costs (specifically aluminum prices) can force even long-established businesses to alter their signature offerings. It demonstrates the vulnerability of restaurants dependent on specific imported products and shows how economic pressures on manufacturers can have ripple effects on end retailers and their customers. The case also highlights the potential benefits of local sourcing as a solution to supply chain challenges.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC