Coke Consolidated Pacts For Franchise Territories In 10 More States And DC

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated said it has signed a nonbinding letter of intent with Coca-Cola Co. that would grant the bottler new exclusive distribution rights in territories in 10 more states and the District of Columbia. Coca-Cola Refreshments USA Inc. (CCR), a wholly owned subsidiary of Coca-Cola Co., already serves these territories.

The proposed territory expansion includes Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland and North Carolina, along with Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, and West Virginia.

Coke Consolidated recently completed an expansion of its franchise distribution territory by acquiring sub-bottling distribution rights from CCR in parts of Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana. It continues to integrate these new territories that include major markets in Knoxville, TN, Louisville and Lexington, KY, and Evansville, IN. | READ MORE

The transactions proposed in the letter of intent are subject to the parties reaching a definitive agreement, with territory expansion closings expected to begin in the fall.