Chattanooga Knows: How much did a group of Chattanooga business investors pay for the rights to bottle Coca-Cola?
Chattanooga, TN – In a fascinating piece of local history, it has been revealed that a group of Chattanooga business investors paid just one dollar for the rights to bottle Coca-Cola in 1899. This incredible deal ultimately led to the establishment of the Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company, a key player in the Coca-Cola legacy.
The One Dollar Deal
The trio of Benjamin F. Thomas, Joseph B. Whitehead, and John T. Lupton seized the opportunity to purchase the bottling rights for Coca-Cola from then-owner Asa Candler for a nominal fee of one dollar. This symbolic amount, which was reportedly never even collected, paved the way for the trio to build a successful partnership with the iconic beverage brand.
A Historic Acquisition
At the time of the transaction, Coca-Cola was primarily available as a fountain drink, with bottling operations still in their infancy. The visionary move by Thomas, Whitehead, and Lupton to acquire the bottling rights positioned Chattanooga as a key player in the expansion of Coca-Cola’s reach beyond the walls of soda fountains.
Legacy of Success
The Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company went on to become a prominent fixture in the local business landscape, contributing to the growth of the Coca-Cola brand and solidifying Chattanooga’s place in the history of this globally recognized beverage. The one-dollar deal struck over a century ago laid the foundation for a partnership that would stand the test of time.
