History

About the Foundation

The Robert E. Zetzmann Family Foundation was established in 2008. Since our inception, we have worked with local non-profits in the New Orleans area. The foundation honors the Zetzmann family’s legacy of giving back to the community through funding to other non-profits such as social services, children causes, higher education, and religion.

It’s a family tradition to give back to the local community. From 1935 to 1958, William Zetzmann Sr. loaned sound trucks for special events to various civic and charitable organizations. In the 1940s, “fresh-up trailers” (refreshment stands that iced 60 cases of 7-Up and had two grills for hamburgers and hot dogs) were loaned free to schools, churches, and organizations for special events. As a family, we have always been dedicated to the civic advancement of the City of New Orleans.

About Robert E. Zetzmann

Robert Edwin Zetzmann, a New Orleans native, was an influential businessman and civic leader. At 32 years old, after the sudden death of his father William G. Zetzmann, Sr., Robert took over the role as President of Zetz 7-Up Bottling Co. from 1953 until 1990. Robert and his brother, William Jr., built the company to one of the leading 7-Up franchises in the nation. It was the fifth 7-Up franchise awarded in the United States!

Robert served on the Board of Directors of the former Hibernia National Bank from 1965 until his retirement in 1990. He was involved in growing the bank from a small single parish location in New Orleans to a multi parish-state bank that was the largest in Louisiana. He also was on the board and chaired many civic and educational organizations including the Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Hospital, International House (founded by his father William G. Zetzmann), Isidore Newman School, Louise S. McGehee School, founder of St. George’s Episcopal School, New Orleans Board of Trade, Children’s Hospital, International Trade Mart (also founded by his father), the Rotary Club, United Way of New Orleans, National Soft Drink Association, the Louisiana Soft Drink Association, the Metropolitan Safety Council, and many others.

About the Zetz Seven-Up Bottling Company

William G. Zetzmann, Sr. began his career working in his father’s plant, the old Consumers Seltzer and Mineral Water Manufacturing Company. This started his love for the “soda pop” business. At the age of 23, he took over management of the company after his father’s death in 1917. Eventually, the company became what is known today as the Zetz Seven-Up Bottling Company.

The first Zetz 7-Up Bottling Co. plant was established in New Orleans at 1024 N. Rampart Street in 1934. The company began distributing 7-Up in twenty-two of the state’s parishes that year. The company moved to a larger plant at 1401 Montegut Street in 1954. In Spring 1986, they were named the eighth largest seven-up bottler in the nation. In 1990, the Zetzmann family sold Zetz Seven-Up Bottling Company to a group of investors who merged with Pepsi. Eighteen years later, the Robert E. Zetzmann Family Foundation was established, with the mission of giving back to the local New Orleans community which had supported the Zetzmann family business for over 50 years.