The Allied Vendor of the Year award is presented to a company that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to our industry, to the MRA and to their community.
2017 Allied Vendor of the Year:
The Coca-Cola Company
Since its founding in 1886, The Coca-Cola Company has been rooted in the fountain business. Its first product was a fountain beverage sold at Jacobs Pharmacy in Atlanta, GA. Over the 131 years Coca-Cola has been in business, it has expanded into over 200 countries with 3,500 additional products. The foodservice (fountain) division remains a vibrant, growing segment of its overall business.
The foodservice division of Coca-Cola goes to market through a combination of national account teams, a network of franchise bottlers and foodservice distribution partners such as Sysco, US Foods, Reinhart Foodservice and others. The Coca-Cola teams seek to create value for their customers by providing world class brands, innovative equipment technology, strong account management and quality service.
In addition to providing value for their customers, Coca-Cola also believes in implementing change when they can. In Minnesota, Coca-Cola has been actively involved with the Minnesota Restaurant Association and has helped shape the direction of the Association by becoming active in the Strategic Planning Committee, engaging in conversations with Minnesota lawmakers and providing support for key fundraising events.
Coca-Cola is also implementing change on a national level. In June, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation received a record-breaking pledge of $1.5 million from Coca-Cola that will support the foundation’s efforts to attract, empower and advance the next generation of our industry’s workforce.
The foodservice division of Coca-Cola goes to market through a combination of national account teams, a network of franchise bottlers and foodservice distribution partners such as Sysco, US Foods, Reinhart Foodservice and others. The Coca-Cola teams seek to create value for their customers by providing world class brands, innovative equipment technology, strong account management and quality service.
In addition to providing value for their customers, Coca-Cola also believes in implementing change when they can. In Minnesota, Coca-Cola has been actively involved with the Minnesota Restaurant Association and has helped shape the direction of the Association by becoming active in the Strategic Planning Committee, engaging in conversations with Minnesota lawmakers and providing support for key fundraising events.
Coca-Cola is also implementing change on a national level. In June, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation received a record-breaking pledge of $1.5 million from Coca-Cola that will support the foundation’s efforts to attract, empower and advance the next generation of our industry’s workforce.
Past Recipients of the Allied Vendor of the Year Award:
- American Fish Seafood, Inc. (2016)
- Jackson Lewis (2015)
- US Foods (2014)
- Summit Brewing Company (2013)
- Premier Restaurant Equipment Company (2012)
- Farmers Insurance (2011)
- Ecolab (2010)
- AmeriPride Linen & Apparel Services (2009)
- Sysco Minnesota (2008)
- Hockenbergs Equipment & Supply Co. (2007)
- Upper Lakes Foods (2006)
- Appert’s Foodservice (2005)
