JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Soegiharto Sosrodjojo, the founder of Rekso Group, passed away at the age of 96 on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Mitra Keluarga Kelapa Gading Hospital. He leaves behind a significant business legacy, with several companies under the Rekso Group umbrella, including PT Sinar Sosro (the producer of Teh Botol Sosro), PT Rekso Nasional Food (the owner of the McDonald’s franchise in Indonesia), and PT Gunung Selamat (a major tea producer).

Soegiharto, one of Indonesia’s prominent business figures, was once listed among the top 10 richest individuals in Indonesia by Forbes in 2012, with an estimated wealth of US$1.2 billion (approximately Rp 10.8 trillion).

Rekso Group, which Soegiharto founded, became a powerhouse in Indonesia’s beverage industry, most notably through its iconic Teh Botol Sosro, and played a crucial role in expanding the McDonald’s franchise in the country.

The Sosrodjojo family’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1940 in Slawi, Central Java, where they initially produced and marketed tea under the brand Teh Cap Botol. In 1960, Soegiharto and his siblings moved to Jakarta to expand the family business, and in 1969, they introduced the bottled ready-to-drink tea, Teh Botol Sosro, which became a household name.

The brand’s name was derived from their original tea, Teh Cap Botol, and their family name, Sosrodjojo.

While Soegiharto was the second generation to lead the family business, he was the driving force behind its expansion. His siblings and their descendants pursued their own business ventures, leaving Soegiharto to spearhead the growth of Rekso Group. He played a pivotal role in transforming Rekso Group into a major player in Indonesia’s beverage and fast-food sectors.