A Midwest Coca-Cola bottler and craft beer distributor is expanding into Tennessee by buying a 113-year-old Coke bottler headquartered near where the soft drink giant was first bottled 120 years ago.
Reyes Holdings, L.L.C., which is headquartered outside of Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois, announced Tuesday that it is expanding South by buying Coca-Cola Bottling Works of Tullahoma, Tennessee, just west of Chattanooga where Coke was first bottled in 1899.
The family-owned Tullahoma bottler traces its founding to 1906 and now distributes Coca-Cola products in 30 counties in Tennessee and Kentucky.
“We truly enjoy being a part of the Coca-Cola system and are excited by this opportunity to grow our Coca-Cola business into Tennessee and Kentucky,” said Chris Reyes, founder and co-chairman of Reyes Holdings.
Reyes said the companies have reached an agreement for the sale of the Tullahoma bottler and the deal is expected to close by the end of September.