Pepsi Bottling Expands

SOMERS, N.Y. -- Pepsi Bottling Group Inc., the largest bottler and distributor of Pepsico Inc., said yesterday it plans to buy the privately held Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Macon Inc., a move that would extend the reach of its operations in Georgia.

Terms of the deal, which is expected to close in February, were not disclosed.

Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Macon Inc. serves 19 counties in the mid-section of Georgia, Pepsi Bottling said in a statement. Besides the Pepsi lineup, the Macon bottler handles drinks such as Sunkist, Welch's grape juice, Sunny Delight and 7 UP.

It was founded by Howard Maddox Johnson more than 60 years ago and is now owned and operated by the Johnson and Bragg families, Pepsi Bottling said.