
Red Bull is an energy drink created by Austrian company Red Bull GmbH and was first launched in Austria on 1 April 1987. It was founded by Dietrich Mateschitz in 1984, who was inspired by a drink from Thailand called Krating Daeng. Red Bull was initially only available in Austria, but it is now sold in over 170 countries worldwide. While Red Bull was originally only produced in Austria, it is now also made in Switzerland and the USA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Red Bull's country of origin | Austria |
| Red Bull's founding place | Fuschl am See, Salzburg, Austria |
| Red Bull's headquarters | Fuschl am See, Salzburg, Austria |
| Red Bull's founding year | 1984 |
| Red Bull's launch year | 1987 |
| Red Bull's founders | Dietrich Mateschitz, Chaleo Yoovidhya |
| Red Bull's parent company | Red Bull GmbH |
| Red Bull's manufacturing locations | Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United States |
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What You'll Learn

Red Bull was first launched in Austria in 1987
Red Bull is a brand of energy drink created and owned by the Austrian company Red Bull GmbH. The product was first launched in Austria on 1 April 1987. It was founded by Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz, who was inspired by a similar drink called Krating Daeng, which he discovered while doing business in Thailand. Mateschitz partnered with Chaleo Yoovidhya, the creator of Krating Daeng, and the two co-founded Red Bull GmbH in 1984. Mateschitz worked on the formula, positioning, packaging, and marketing of Red Bull for nearly three years before its launch.
Red Bull was initially introduced at Austrian ski resorts and was priced as a premium, upscale drink. The company also developed a unique marketing strategy, creating a "brand myth" through proprietary extreme sports event series and standout stunts. This approach helped Red Bull establish itself as a leader in the energy drink market and expand worldwide.
While Red Bull was originally produced and sold only in Austria, it is now made in other countries, including Switzerland, the United States, and the Netherlands. The flavouring used for Red Bull is still produced in Bangkok and exported worldwide, and the company continues to be headquartered in Fuschl am See, an Austrian village near Salzburg.
Since its launch in 1987, Red Bull has become the most popular energy drink brand globally, with more than 100 billion cans sold worldwide. The brand has expanded its product line, offering variations such as sugar-free versions, and continues to be known for its innovative marketing and sponsorship of extreme sports and events.
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Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz co-founded Red Bull
Mateschitz and Yoovidhya each held a 49% stake in the new company, with the remaining 2% going to Yoovidhya's son, Chalerm. The pair worked on the formula for around three years before launching the modified drink under the new name Red Bull in 1987. The product was first launched in Austria on 1 April 1987, with the company headquartered in the Austrian village of Fuschl am See, near Salzburg.
Mateschitz, who lived in Fuschl am See and Salzburg, Austria, used his marketing skills to build the Red Bull brand. Early on, the company spent heavily on marketing, sponsoring competitions in adventure sports and fast-living pursuits such as surfing, Formula 1, off-road racing, and cycling. This helped the company become associated with these sports and create a "brand myth".
Mateschitz also owned Red Bull Racing, a Formula 1 racing team in England, and various other sports teams around the world, including football teams FC Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig. In addition, he owned the television channel ServusTV, based in Salzburg, and Media House, which provided digital entertainment and images to broadcasters. Outside of his business ventures, Mateschitz was known for his interest in conservation, spending millions to acquire and preserve houses and castles in the Austrian Alps.
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Red Bull's headquarters are in Fuschl am See, Austria
Red Bull is an energy drink brand created and owned by the Austrian company Red Bull GmbH. The company was founded in 1984 by Dietrich Mateschitz, an Austrian entrepreneur, in Fuschl am See, a village near Salzburg, Austria.
Mateschitz was inspired by functional drinks from East Asia, specifically a drink called Krating Daeng, which he discovered while travelling in Thailand. He partnered with Krating Daeng's creator, Chaleo Yoovidhya, to develop a similar product that would suit Western tastes. The product was launched in Austria on 1 April 1987, marking the birth of a new product category: energy drinks.
Red Bull's headquarters remain in Fuschl am See, a village of about 1,500 inhabitants. The company has grown significantly since its founding, employing nearly 20,000 people and selling its products in over 170 countries as of 2024.
While Red Bull was originally produced exclusively in Austria, the company has expanded its production to other countries, including Switzerland and the United States. However, the Austrian-made Red Bull is still considered the original and the most common flavour.
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Red Bull is also made in Switzerland
Red Bull is an energy drink brand created and owned by the Austrian company Red Bull GmbH. It was first launched in Austria on 1 April 1987 and has since become the most popular energy drink brand with a market share of 43% as of 2020.
While Red Bull was originally only produced in Austria, it is now also made in Switzerland. Some Red Bull cans say "Made in Switzerland", while others do not specify where they were made. The taste of the Swiss-made Red Bull is reported to be slightly different, with a less potent tart taste. This difference in flavour is likely due to the water source used, as Red Bull marketing information states that Alpine waters are used in the production process.
Red Bull has expanded its production and distribution beyond Austria and Switzerland, with the drink now being sold in 178 countries as of the end of 2024. The company employs nearly 20,000 people and has diversified its product line with various flavours and sugar-free options.
In addition to Switzerland, some sources mention the Netherlands and the United States as other possible production sites for Red Bull. The variation in production locations allows Red Bull to cater to different markets and meet the demands of its global customer base.
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Austrian ski resorts were the first to sell Red Bull
Red Bull is a brand of energy drink created and owned by the Austrian company Red Bull GmbH. The company was founded in 1984 by Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz and Thai businessman Chaleo Yoovidhya, who was a pharmacist. Yoovidhya had introduced an energy drink called Krating Daeng in Thailand in 1976, which became popular among Thai truck drivers and labourers. Mateschitz, while travelling to Thailand for business, discovered that Krating Daeng helped cure his jet lag. Recognising the market potential of the drink in Europe, he partnered with Yoovidhya to formulate a product that would suit the tastes of Westerners.
The product was first launched in Austria on 1 April 1987, with Austrian ski resorts being the first to sell Red Bull. The company introduced the drink as a trendy, upscale beverage, differentiating it from Krating Daeng, which was marketed as a lower-cost item. The positioning of Red Bull as a premium drink was a key aspect of its initial success. The unique marketing strategy, branding, and packaging developed by Mateschitz played a significant role in the drink's popularity. The iconic "Red Bull Gives You Wings" slogan is now considered one of the most memorable in the world.
The company's headquarters are located in Fuschl am See, a village near Salzburg, Austria. The choice of this location reflects the brand's culture, with the surrounding mountains and lakes providing a stimulating and inspiring environment for collaboration and interaction. Red Bull has been operating from this headquarters for over 35 years, and its sales teams are organised into Off Premise and On Premise channels to maximise profits and build strong customer partnerships.
Since its launch in 1987, Red Bull has sold more than 100 billion cans worldwide, with over 12.6 billion sold in 2024 alone. The company has expanded its presence to over 170 countries, employing more than 2,000 individuals in Austria alone. Red Bull's success and longevity can be attributed to its innovative marketing campaigns, sponsorship of extreme sports events, and product variations, all while staying true to its unique positioning as a premium energy drink.
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Frequently asked questions
Red Bull was originally made in Austria and was first launched there on 1 April 1987.
No, Red Bull is now also made in Switzerland and the USA.
Red Bull is made in different countries to meet demand.
Yes, the taste of Red Bull differs depending on the water source used to make it.











































