OAK BROOK Ill. McDonald’s is expanding a pilot program that offers Pepsi products together with its standard Coca-Cola fountain drinks, according to a story in the marketing newspaper Advertising Age. Restaurants participating in the 10-month-old program feature Pepsi products in bottles and cans, but not at the fountain, which remains the exclusive province of McDonald’s longtime beverage supplier, Coca-Cola.
The Atlanta-based beverage company has been a partner of McDonald's since 1955. Participating outlets offer such Pepsi products as Mountain Dew, Gatorade Propel Fitness Water and Lipton Tea. Pepsi and Diet Pepsi are not available, however. Ad Age said the test began last May in Bryan and College Station, both in Texas, and was expanded to Kansas City, Mo., in July. Plans call for the test to be expanded to Wichita, Kan.
Speaking at the Reuters Food Summit in Chicago, Scott Young, regional vice president of food services and hospitality for Coke, said the test currently is in 15 locations. "Quite frankly, we are looking at - jointly with McDonald's - expanding that because at the end of the day...it is a testament to the strength of the relationship that we can partner together even if it's competitive products," Young said.
