KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

Reyes Beverage Group has entered an agreement to purchase the southern middle territory of Cherokee Distributing Company.

“We’re excited to announce that DET Beverages, L.L.C., a member of Reyes Beverage Group, has entered into an agreement to purchase the southern middle territory of Cherokee Distributing Company’s business in Tullahoma and Pulaski,” a Reyes Beverage Group told The News.

The acquisition, per the representative, is scheduled to close in mid-August, and will add approximately 1,000 customers and roughly 1.6 million cases of alcoholic beverages, which includes key brands from suppliers such as Molson Coors, Constellation, HUSA, Diageo, Mark Anthony Brands and Boston Beer.

Both Reyes Beverage Group and Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling are owned by Reyes Holdings. 

In addition, Ajax Distributing Company has also entered into an agreement to purchase five counties in West Tennessee from DET Beverages.

“As a result, this strategically realigns territories to benefit all three distributors and ensures each has a contiguous footprint in order to better serve the Tennessee market,” the representative said.

Cherokee Distributing Company has served East Tennessee since 1958, when founder George W. Sampson started the family-owned and operated company with seven employees and four trucks. For nearly 70 years the company has seen major growth while its commitment to customer service and community has remained the same. In January 2016, Cherokee Distributing Company acquired Mid-South Distributing, a Middle Tennessee wholesale beverage distribution company, which boosted Cherokee’s service area from 22 to 53 counties and opened markets for Cherokee brands through distribution hubs in Tullahoma, Cookeville and Pulaski. In October 2017, Cherokee Distributing Company also acquired Carter Distributing Company, a Chattanooga-based MillerCoors distributor for Southeast Tennessee, and expanded service area from 53 to 61 counties in the state.

Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling has 55 facilities, including nine production plants, in the United States, including the facility located in Tullahoma, and serves 325 million annual cases to over 210,000 customers. Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling operates in 10 states including produce and distribute across California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Reyes Coca Cola Bottling manufactures and delivers Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, and Monster products to restaurants, sports venues, businesses, health care facilities, schools, convenience stores, supermarkets and more.