Coca-Cola has extended its partnership with US bottlers Coca-Cola Bottling and Clark Beverage Group by expanding their territories.
The drinks major has signed letters of intent with the two bottlers, while definitive agreements on a later date.
The letters of intent propose to expand Coca-Cola Bottling's markets in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia, while Clark Beverage Group will expand into Mississippi.
The refranchising of distribution is part of the company's plans announced in last October to restructure its North American manufacturing and distribution by 2020.
Coca-Cola North America president Sandy Douglas said: "As we've shared before, we continue to align our US operations with highly capable partners of all sizes that have consistently invested for growth.
"The announcement today with Coca-Cola Bottling Consolidated and Clark Beverage Group reinforces our successful efforts to move forward with our refranchising plans in the US as we implement a more agile, modern, customer-focused beverage partnership model."
Last month, company signed similar letters with seven other US bottlers.
Image: Coca-Cola plans to restructure its US operations by 2020. Photo: courtesy of The Coca-Cola Company.
