Grover Cleveland Thomsen was a Danish-American chemist who co-invented Big Red soda with his coworker R.H. Roark. While working for Perfection Barber and Beauty Supply in Waco, Texas

Waco, Texas

Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....

, they began making flavoring extracts. One of these was named Sun Tang Red Cream Soda and became Big Red soda.

In 1943, the company was renamed and incorporated as Perfection Co., Inc., overseen by Thomsen as President. With about 40 employees, Big Red remains in the hands of the founders' family members. The company also sells Nu Grape and Nesbitt's and recently introduced "Red Jak" energy drink.