Coca-Cola bottler expands to take over Louisiana markets

Published 3:30 pm Thursday, April 23, 2015

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United Inc. is expanding its territory in the Southeast.

The Advocate (http://bit.ly/1blvtX8) reports United will have markets in a major portion of Louisiana, including Alexandria, Monroe, New Iberia, and Shreveport.

The company’s territory rights also were extended to Natchez, Mississippi; Tallahassee, Florida; and Valdosta, Georgia; through a letter of intent signed with The Coca-Cola Company.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Melanie Clark, a spokeswoman for Coca-Cola Baton Rouge, says Baton Rouge will be the main regional office, overseeing operations in the Gulf Region.

Clark adds the move means the Louisiana Coca-Cola business will be managed on a more local level, which will allow the company to better serve customers and the community.

The Birmingham, Alabama-based bottler already covered Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles.