FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2016
Contact: Sally Hargis, VP/Chairman
417-865-9900, ext. 256
Ozark’s Coca-Cola Bottling Company Signs Letter of Intent with the Coca-Cola Company to Expand Territory
SPRINGFIELD, MO – Ozarks Coca-Cola Bottling Company announced today that it has signed a Letter
of Intent (LOI) with The Coca-Cola Company to expand its franchise territory. The Bottler will assume territories in northwest Arkansas and small areas in Kansas and Oklahoma. Transition dates are subject to the parties reaching Definitive Agreements and are expected to be complete in 2017. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Edwin C. Rice, CEO, said, “We are excited about bringing new employees into our family-owned Company which was founded 96 years ago. Working closely with the Coca-Cola Company and our capable employees, we are excited to introduce the Ozarks’ brand of customer service to our new partners in northwest Arkansas, Kansas & Oklahoma. The proposed expansion provides us with the opportunity to enhance our strengths as the local Coca-Cola Bottler in the communities we serve.”
“We have made significant progress toward the implementation of our 21st Century Beverage Partnership Model in the U.S., which continues to strengthen our franchise system,” said J. Alexander “Sandy” Douglas Jr., President, Coca-Cola North America. “As we continue to evolve our partnership model for growth, Ozarks Coca-Cola Bottling Company brings deep, local knowledge and has demonstrated both outstanding commercial capabilities and consistent, sustainable success within their communities.”
About Ozarks Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Ozarks Coca-Cola Bottling Company is a third generation family-owned Bottler operating in Missouri
for 96 years. Founded by the Rice family in 1920, Coca-Cola products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar, Rolla, Joplin and West Plains, MO. A women-owned business, Ozarks employs over 500 associates and serves more than 1 million consumers through local, regional and national customers. More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola Bottling Company is available at www.cocacolaozarks.com
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands and more than 3,800 beverage choices. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands, 18 of which are available in reduced-, low- or no-calorie options. Our billion-dollar brands include Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Dasani, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Del Valle, Georgia and Gold Peak. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, we are the No. 1 provider of both sparkling and still beverages. More than 1.9 billion servings of our beverages are enjoyed by consumers in more than 200 countries each day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.
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