BURLINGTON, Mass.
and PLANO, Texas, and
Worcester, Mass., July 30,
2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Keurig Dr Pepper (NYSE: KDP) and Polar
Beverages jointly announced today that they entered into a
long-term franchise agreement that will provide national
distribution to Polar Seltzer sparkling seltzer waters,
including Polar Seltzer'ade and SeltzerJR, across all channels
through the power of KDP's direct store delivery (DSD) and
manufacturing network.
Family-owned and operated since 1882, Polar Seltzer is the
third largest branded flavored sparkling water1 in the
U.S., despite availability in less than 35% of the country. Where
distributed, it's the fastest turning sparkling water2.
Polar Seltzer, Polar Seltzer'ade and Polar
SeltzerJR brands come in more than 35 varieties. In
the second quarter, Polar Seltzer grew retail volume and dollar
sales 25% and 27%, respectively, based on IRI. The sparkling water
category grew more than 15 percent in retail dollars over the past
year.
Longtime partners, Polar Beverages has manufactured and
distributed key KDP brands in its Northeast territories for over
three decades. With this new agreement, KDP expands the partnership
by now manufacturing, distributing and selling Polar Seltzer in the
majority of its DSD footprint. Polar will continue to manufacture
and distribute its sparkling water in its existing territories, as
will select Polar distributors. Polar Beverages will continue to
drive marketing, brand and innovation leadership.
Commenting on the agreement, Derek
Hopkins, KDP Chief Commercial Officer, stated, "Polar
Seltzer is an iconic and leading brand in the Northeast, and we are
eager to expand that growth across the country. The sparkling water
category shows no sign of slowing down and, our already strong
partnership with Polar Beverages will accelerate our ability to
ensure that Polar Seltzer is available wherever consumers
shop."
Ralph D. Crowley Jr. President
& CEO, added, "We are very proud of Polar Seltzer's 138-year
heritage and independent spirit. Our expanded partnership with KDP
opens a dynamic new chapter, and we look forward to sharing our
family of seltzers with their unrivaled sales and distribution
network."
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
1Source: IRI MULO+C Channels; IRI defined category
segment – Unsweetened flavored carbonated water, 13 Weeks Ending
06-28-20
2Source: IRI MULO+C Channels; IRI defined Northeast
markets
Contacts
Investors:
Steve Alexander
Keurig Dr Pepper
T: 972-673-6769 / steve.alexander@kdrp.com
Media:
Katie Gilroy
Keurig Dr Pepper
T: 781-418-3345 / katie.gilroy@kdrp.com
Lisbet Crowley
Polar Beverages
lcrowley@polarbev.com
About Keurig Dr Pepper
Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is a
leading beverage company in North America, with annual revenue
in excess of $11 billion and nearly 26,000 employees. KDP
holds leadership positions in soft drinks, specialty coffee and
tea, water, juice and juice drinks and mixers, and markets the #1
single serve coffee brewing system in the U.S. and Canada. The
Company's portfolio of more than 125 owned, licensed and partner
brands is designed to satisfy virtually any consumer need, any
time, and includes Keurig®, Dr Pepper®, Green Mountain Coffee
Roasters®, Canada Dry®, Snapple®, Bai®, Mott's®, CORE® and The
Original Donut Shop®. Through its powerful sales and distribution
network, KDP can deliver its portfolio of hot and cold beverages to
nearly every point of purchase for consumers. The Company is
committed to sourcing, producing and distributing its beverages
responsibly through its Drink Well. Do Good. corporate
responsibility platform, including efforts around circular
packaging, efficient natural resource use and supply chain
sustainability. For more information,
visit, www.keurigdrpepper.com.
About Polar Beverages
The largest independent beverage
company in the United States,
Polar Beverages are purveyors of premium-quality sparkling
beverages, including Polar® Seltzer, heritage sodas and Polar
Orange Dry®. Founded in Worcester,
Massachusetts in 1882 by a savvy bartender, Denis Crowley recognized opportunity in
carbonation as Prohibition began to rumble in New England. He
crafted what he considered the best-tasting bubble recipe and began
selling sparkling beverages from a horse-drawn carriage. Today, the
company remains owned and operated by the family's fourth and fifth
generations, under the leadership of President and CEO,
Ralph Crowley Jr. For the past
decade, Polar Beverages has modernized and popularized the
sparkling seltzer water category and become the industry's leading
tastemaker; including the launch of two significant new brands–the
lemonade-inspired Polar® Seltzer'ade brand, and the impossibly good
Polar® SeltzerJR collection. For more information, visit,
PolarSeltzer.com.
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SOURCE Keurig Dr Pepper; Polar Beverages