Dad’s Root Beer Purchased by Hedinger Brands

05/03/07 Hedinger Brands, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company located in Jasper, IN, purchased the Dad’s Root Beer, Dr. Wells, Bubble Up and SunCrest brands from The Monarch Beverage Company, Inc. in Atlanta, and licensed those brands to The Dad’s Root Beer Company, LLC, also an Indiana limited liability company located in Jasper IN. Keith Hedinger is the President and CEO of both companies.

Hedinger and his family have been in the soft drink business for 49 years. Hedinger Beverage Distributing Co., Inc., has been a Dad’s Root Beer distributor for 12 years, and distributes soft drinks and beer in 15 counties in southern Indiana. Hedinger Beverage Distributing Co., Inc. previously distributed Pepsi Cola brands from 1959-1990, and Bubble Up from 1996-2003.

“2007 represents the 70th anniversary of Dad’s Root Beer, developed in Chicago in 1937. I could not be more excited about the growth opportunities Dad’s and the other three brands bring” says Keith Hedinger.

“Dad’s is truly a national brand, having sold twelve million cases a year as late as 1986, when it held the second largest share of the root beer segment,” adds Andrea Hedinger, vice president of sales for Hedinger Brands. “We also see regional growth opportunities with the Dr. Wells, Bubble Up and SunCrest brands. Each brand enjoys regional strength, and nostalgic appeal.”

Financial details of the deal will not be disclosed. Emory Atwater and Katie Ryan Strimban former vice presidents of sales and marketing for Monarch, respectively, will act as consultants during a transition period.

The Monarch Beverage Company maintains the Moxie, Rush! Energy, All Sport brands in North America and continues to focus on expanding its international activities.