Ozarks Coca-Cola Dr. Pepper Bottling Co. employs approximately 330 people and offers production, warehouse services and delivery and equipment services.

Edwin C. Rice, Sr. and his family moved from Kentucky to Springfield in March 1920 to purchase the Electric Bottling Company. Electric’s principal product line was seltzer and Farmer Beverages, a soft drink line that included Orange, Grape, Root Beer, Lemon, Peach, Ginger Ale and Strawberry flavors. During that time, Coca-Cola was just a small portion of their business.

Always a family-owned business, they are one of the original bottlers that entered an agreement for the right to hold Coca-Cola franchise in perpetuity. Mr. Rice, Sr. and his brothers operated the business and in 1939, Mr. Edward E. Heer came on board as Sales Manager. Heer was married to Virginia “Tookie” Rice-Heer until his death in 1985. At that time Tookie assumed the vice presidency of the company, which was later renamed Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper Bottling Company.

Edwin C. “Cookie” Rice joined the family business in 1953 and has served as president of the company for many years. He, his daughters and his nieces share ownership of Ozarks Coca-Cola Dr Pepper.