SUBWAY(R) restaurants shift to Coca-Cola(R)

03/11/05 The SUBWAY(R) restaurant chain, the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise, marked the complete conversion of its restaurants in North America to Coca-Cola products from PepsiCo products. PepsiCo had been Subway's lead beverage supplier since the mid 1970's.

The conversion was completed on schedule and involved switching more than 12,800 SUBWAY(R) restaurants to Coca-Cola as well as installing fountain equipment in all new restaurant openings. There are now more than 19,500 SUBWAY(R) restaurants in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico offering a range of Coca-Cola products. Worldwide, more than 23,000 SUBWAY(R) restaurants now serve Coke products.

Coca-Cola products, including Coca-Cola(R) Classic, Diet Coke(R), Sprite(R) and Dasani(R) are available in all SUBWAY(R) restaurants in fountain drinks and 20 oz. plastic bottles.

The SUBWAY(R) restaurant chain is the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise, with more than 24,400 locations in 81 countries. In 2002, the SUBWAY(R) chain surpassed McDonald's in the number of restaurants open in the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Milford, Conn., the SUBWAY(R) restaurant chain was co-founded by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck in 1965. That partnership marked the beginning of a remarkable journey - one that made it possible for thousands of individuals to build and succeed in their own business. The SUBWAY(R) chain was named the number one franchise opportunity in all categories by Entrepreneur magazine in its Annual Franchise 500 ranking for 2005 -for the 13th time in 17 years!

IPC is an independent SUBWAY(R) franchisee-owned and -operated purchasing cooperative. IPC's goal is to implement purchasing and distribution programs that help build a competitive environment for SUBWAY(R) franchisees. Working under the direction of the franchisee Board of Directors, IPC's management team carefully selects strong trading partners and manages the risks inherent to the costing and distribution of products in the food service industry. IPC's mission is to negotiate the lowest cost for purchased goods and services, improve quality, enhance competitiveness and ensure the best value to SUBWAY(R) franchisee members and their customers.

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees and sports drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1 billion servings each day.

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