As of July 1, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products will be served exclusively on the Missouri State University Springfield campus. Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company has been awarded the exclusive contract with Missouri State for a potential 11 years – seven years guaranteed, plus one four-year renewal option.
Missouri State’s Board of Governors approved the terms of the contract during a special closed meeting May 7 and the contract was signed on May 20, 2014.
A Missouri State committee that evaluated the proposals determined that the Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper bid provided additional financial incentives above the second highest bidder, PepsiCo, for the same 11-year period.
“We are very pleased with our process and with the strong, competitive bids we received,” said Steve Foucart, Missouri State chief financial officer. “In the end, the proposal from Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper provided more revenue over the term of the contract to benefit our students.
“In addition, we liked many of the ideas the Company presented to be partners with the university over the term of the contract. We look forward to working with Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper with support from The Coca-Cola Company in the transition and for the next several years.”
Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper will supply the Springfield campus beverage and vending requirements. In addition to Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper, the other brands provided as a part of the contract will include, but not be limited to, Powerade, Sprite, Fanta, Smartwater, Dasani, Vitaminwater, Minute Maid and Fuze.
Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper replaces PepsiCo, which had been on campus for the past 20 years. There will be a transition period to change out hardware and vending machines in the dining centers and buildings across campus.
As a part of the process, university officials consulted student leaders who surveyed students. Student Government Association President and Vice President Jordan McGee and Addison Reed expressed excitement on behalf of the student body in the decision to bring the Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper portfolio of brands and the company’s commitment to enhance student events.
“I also want to express the university’s appreciation to PepsiCo for the strong partnership we have enjoyed for the past 20 years,” said Foucart. “The university and its students benefitted greatly from that contract.”
“We have been anxious to bring our brands to the students’ experience each and every day,” said Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company CEO Ed Rice. “From refreshment between classes to adding fun for fans during athletic events, all our staff looks forward to being a local partner with MSU.”
Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper is celebrating its 94th year in business as a family owned enterprise serving communities surrounding Springfield, Bolivar, Lebanon and Rolla.
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