FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2015
Contact: Sally Hargis, VP Corporate Strategy
417-865-9900, ext. 256
OZARKS 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 Missouri, northern Arkansas and southeast Kansas. Expected transition dates are subject to the parties reaching Definitive Agreements. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Edwin C. Rice, CEO and Chairman, said, “We are thrilled to have this growth opportunity for our family-owned Company which was founded 95 years ago. Working closely with the Coca-Cola Company and our capable employees, we are anxious to introduce the Ozarks’ brand of customer service to our new partners in the beverage marketplace. The proposed expansion provides us with the opportunity to leverage 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 Sandy Douglas, President, 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 95 years. Founded by the Rice family in 1920, Coca-Cola products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in Springfield, Bolivar and Rolla, MO. A women-owned business, Ozarks employs over 300 associates and serves more than 850,000 consumers through local, regional and national customers. More information about Ozarks Coca-Cola Bottling Company is available at 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. Led by CocaCola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands including, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERADE, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia, Dasani and FUZE TEA. 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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