Coca-Cola Enterprises

In 1899 – 13 years after Atlanta pharmacist Dr. John Pemberton began producing Coca-Cola syrup for sale in fountain drinks – two Chattanooga businessmen, Benjamin F. Thomas and Joseph B. Whitehead, secured exclusive rights to bottle and sell Coca-Cola for most of the United States. Recognizing the need to create a bottler network, these men, with the support of Chattanooga businessman John T. Lupton, began granting other entrepreneurs bottling franchise rights.

The first franchise began operations in 1901, serving parts of Tennessee and other nearby locations under the ownership
of Mr. Thomas and James F. Johnston, grandfather of former CCE Chairman of the Board, Summerfield K. Johnston, Jr. In the early 1980s, Mr. Johnston helped initiate a phase of consolidation designed to improve system efficiency and effectiveness. In 1986, The Coca-Cola Company merged some of its company-owned operations with two large ownership groups that were for sale – the John T. Lupton franchises and BCI Holding Corporation's bottling holdings  – forming
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.

In December 1991, a merger between Coca-Cola Enterprises and the Johnston Coca-Cola Bottling Group, Inc. created a larger, stronger organization with Johnston’s senior management team assuming management responsibilities.