The Coca-Cola System

We are a global business that operates on a local scale, in every community where we do business. We are able to create global reach with local focus because of the strength of the Coca-Cola system, which comprises our company and our nearly 250 bottling partners worldwide.

The Coca-Cola system is not a single entity from a legal or managerial perspective, and the company does not own or control all of our bottling partners.

While many view our company as simply "Coca-Cola," our system operates through multiple local channels. The primary way that our products reach the marketplace starts with Coca-Cola, which manufactures and sells concentrates, beverage bases and syrups to bottling operations. Coca-Cola also owns the brands and is responsible for consumer brand marketing initiatives. Our bottling partners manufacture, package, merchandise and distribute final branded beverages to our customers and vending partners, who then sell our products to consumers.

All bottling partners work closely with customers – grocery stores, restaurants, street vendors, convenience stores, movie theaters and amusement parks, among many others – to execute localized strategies developed in partnership with our company. Customers then sell our products to consumers at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day.

In January 2006, our company-owned bottling operations were brought together to form the Bottling Investments Group, or BIG. BIG was created to ensure those bottling operations receive the appropriate investments and expertise to ensure their long-term success. By strategically investing in select bottling operations, temporarily taking them under Coca-Cola ownership, and utilizing the leadership and resources of The Coca-Cola Company, BIG can drive long-term growth in critical markets and address major structural or investment challenges.

When an operation is stable and thriving, BIG’s goal is to find a qualified bottler to assume operations and continue to grow the business. BIG is led by Calin Dragan.

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