A cold beverage case inside The Parking Spot at the Harmon Avenue garage on the UA campus is currently Pepsi-free, but that will soon change once university officials finalize an exclusive beverage provider contract with PepsiCo.
Staff photo
The University of Arkansas is in the final stages of negotiations to name PepsiCo as its official soft drink provider, according to an announcement released by UA officials.
The 10-year deal, set to take effect July 1, will replace Coca-Cola products on campus and at athletics facilities, and will allocate 80 percent of shelf space to PepsiCo products in other campus convenience store-type outlets.
Donald O. Pederson, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said the estimated $19 million contract “will be the largest beverage sponsorship agreement the U of A has ever entered into.”
According to the university, the agreement will include monetary benefits for the university as well as in-kind support for student-related programming and services, health and wellness promotions, campus enhancements and environmental sustainability measures.
As part of the contract, a variety of PepsiCo beverages will be available on campus, including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Lipton iced teas, SoBe, Aquafina, Tropicana and Gatorade. In addition, Rockstar Energy Drink, Muscle Milk and fountain-dispensed Dr. Pepper, distributed in the region by PepsiCo, will also be available.
“We’re thrilled to begin this historic partnership with the University of Arkansas and look forward to developing a successful, long-standing relationship,” said Tim Trant, senior vice president of PepsiCo Foodservice Field Sales. “We’re pleased to introduce PepsiCo’s powerful and broad brand portfolio, along with various campus promotional and sustainability programs. These will add great value to the U of A for many years to come – benefiting students, faculty, administration, Razorback fans and the local community. We’re proud to be part of the university’s family and its rich traditions.”
This will be the second contract awarded to PepsiCo at an Arkansas university this year. The company was named the exclusive provider for all campus soft drink sales at Southern Arkansas University earlier this month.
Ewww….
“In addition, Rockstar Energy Drink, Muscle Milk… will also be available.” gross.
So no more Dr, Pepper in the vending machines, or is the DP in the fountains in addition to the machines? TFA isn’t too clear on that point.
Dr. Pepper will be in fountains from another bulletin I read this morning.
If you cared to read this story, you drink too much soda. Reminds me of when I was a waiter and people made a face like their day was ruined because we had Diet Pepsi rather than Dr. Pepper. I’ll tell you what if its a big deal you can go pound sand.
Go away Juicebox
Yes. Yes!! Mountain Dew!!!!! Its blown my mind for years that you can’t buy mountain dew on campus. I actually started drinking coffee last year because the most caffeinated soda we currently have is diet coke. Makes my day.
Why didn’t they ask the students what they wanted? Pepsi and Diet Pepsi suck. I will pick up my Diet Coke off campus. Also, I know a lot of students who will be pissed when they find out in the fall they cant get a Dr Pepper or Diet Dr Pepper. Yeah I read that it will be on fountain, but who drinks fountain in class, you bring bottles or cans. At least they are not getting rid of Monster Energy, right?
Students were in on the decision as reported yesterday. Also, Pepsi is allowing 20% of shelf space for Coke. Coke would not allow Pepsi on the shelves if we signed with them again. It’s a better deal.
Pepsi tastes awful, in addition to giving you diabetes. At least
….Coke taste good.
My God I should just stop typing now.
Hahaha.
If you want some chuckles, go and read the moronic comments from people posting on the UA’s Facebook page. Comments range from “People are going to drop out” to “I’m no longer donating to the school.” For a university that graduates barely half of its students in four years, people’s reaction smacks of First World Problems. Coke products will still be available for purchase, whereas if the contract was awarded to Coca Cola, the UA would only be able to sell Coke products.
I hope that Pepsi instead of Coke is the students’ biggest problem.
As a UofA student for the last three years, I have been constantly dismayed at the number of kids who drink diet coke like it was water…or more accurately, instead of water. It is ubiquitous in the classroom, and many people freely admit that they don’t drink water; only soda. I can only hope that the students will someday realize how much better they will feel if they drank as much water as they do coke. i think some of these students might actually drop out if diet coke were suddenly unavailable!
Water is good stuff. If they can’t accept that on its face, then a couple of kidney stones, or sensitive teeth due to erosion of enamel, ought to convince them.
Next thing you know, they’ll be suggesting you let gay people get married. What’s the world coming to?
Just drink water.
Ew.
the healthier cane sugar sweetened sodas sold at IGA and ONF are far far better than this stuff. try it and you’ll never go back.
Drink more water. Here are some reasons to drink less soda: http://www.rodale.com/facts-about-soda
When I was in college my biology professor gave us a long explanation about how Coke helps you get over the flu. So there. Science in action.
No Pepsi, only Coke.
Don’t you just love sponsorship deals.