University, PepsiCo Finalizing Campus Beverages Contract

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas is in the final stages of negotiations to award PepsiCo a competitively bid contract as the university’s exclusive non-alcoholic cold beverage sponsor and provider.

The university recently issued written notice of its intent to award the contract to PepsiCo, contingent on completion of a mutually acceptable agreement. The planned deal will cover a 10-year period and will take effect July 1. Although the contract’s total value, including ancillary benefits, will not be known until the final negotiations have been completed, the university anticipates that the final amount will be close to the total value it projected in December when the university issued its request for proposals.

The PepsiCo agreement will feature monetary benefits for the university as well as in-kind support for student-related programming and services, campus enhancements and environmental sustainability measures.

“The university welcomes the opportunity to partner with PepsiCo to bring a popular line of beverages to the university community and campus visitors,” said Donald O. Pederson, vice chancellor for finance and administration. “The total value of this contract will be the largest beverage sponsorship agreement the U of A has ever entered into. The combination of resources the university will receive as a result of this partnership will benefit our students and campus community for years to come.”

PepsiCo was selected to be the university’s exclusive cold beverage sponsor after submitting the best overall proposal in a competitive selection process that began in December 2011. Once completed, the PepsiCo agreement will consist of an initial fixed-length term and a series of annual renewal options that will run through June 2022.

As part of the contract, a variety of PepsiCo cold 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.

Along with supplying campus dining facilities and vending machines, PepsiCo products will be served at Razorback Athletics venues. As part of the agreement, the university will recognize PepsiCo as the exclusive beverage sponsor in various university athletic venues such as Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Bud Walton Arena, Baum Stadium, Bogle Park (softball), Barnhill Arena (gymnastics and volleyball) and John McDonnell Field. In addition, PepsiCo will have opportunities to showcase its brand on campus through sponsored events and initiatives.

Furthermore, PepsiCo will work with the university to support initiatives of the University of Arkansas Associated Student Government, which consists of the elected representatives of the U of A student body. The beverage agreement also will involve PepsiCo’s support for a variety of student oriented programs and activities as well as fan promotions at Razorback sporting events.

Under the agreement, PepsiCo also will provide health and wellness promotions on the campus, and offer innovative new recycling and sustainability initiatives.

“I hope students will be excited about the new partnership,” said Tori Pohlner, president of the Associated Student Government. “I’ve had the opportunity to see the potential for what PepsiCo can offer our university and our student body. PepsiCo is not just filling soda fountains; it has plans for collaboration and sponsorships that will benefit our next generation of students.”

“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, 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.”

Located in Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas is the flagship institution of the University of Arkansas System and the premier research institution in the state. It was founded in 1871 as Arkansas’ land-grant institution, with the three-fold mission of teaching, research and public service. With an enrollment that will soon top 24,000, the U of A offers 213 baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, professional and specialist degree programs. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching categorizes the University of Arkansas in the highest possible classification of American colleges and universities.