PepsiAmericas Buys Ardea Beverage Co.

@@img1MINNEAPOLIS – Jan. 23, 2006 – PepsiAmericas, Inc. (NYSE: PAS) announced today it has purchased Ardea Beverage Co., maker of airforce Nutrisoda. PepsiAmericas will collaborate with Pepsi-Cola North America to market airforce Nutrisoda in select PepsiAmericas markets with the possibility for future expansion.

Ardea, based in Hopkins, Minn., sells a portfolio of nutritionally enhanced, low calorie, carbonated beverages. The slender eight-ounce cans of airforce Nutrisoda are sold in a wide range of distribution outlets catering to on-the-go consumers.

“The Nutrisoda brand complements our growing portfolio of healthier beverages, providing a unique and fashionable beverage alternative,” said Robert C. Pohlad, chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiAmericas. “Nutrisoda has tremendous potential in the fast-growing functional beverage category, and it supports our strategy to bring customers relevant and exciting products that fit consumers’ lifestyles.”

Nutrisoda, which launched in 2003, targets on-the-go consumers who are nutritionally aware. Each of the seven products within the portfolio contains vitamins and minerals formulated to achieve a specific benefit. The products have few or no carbs, sugar, sodium or calories, appealing to health-conscious consumers. Brand offerings include Immune in tangerine and lime flavor, Radiant in pomegranate and black berry, Calm in wild berry and citron, Focus in mango and peach, Flex in black cherry and apple, Energize in mandarin and mint, and Slender in pink grapefruit and guava.

While small, the airforce Nutrisoda brand is resonating with consumers.

“More than 20 million U.S. consumers describe themselves as physically active and nutritionally aware,” said Joe Heron, founder of Ardea and the airforce Nutrisoda brand. “They want to look and feel their best. Whether the goal is to energize or to boost immune systems, Nutrisoda provides intelligent solutions.”

“We knew we had the right product, but access to a strong selling system was critical to the long-term success of Nutrisoda,” explained Heron. “With PepsiAmericas’ strong customer relationships, infrastructure, and quality of management, we are excited about the possibilities for Nutrisoda.”

Ardea will become a wholly owned subsidiary of PepsiAmericas. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

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About PepsiAmericas
PepsiAmericas is the second largest Pepsi bottler with operations in the U.S., Central Europe, and the Caribbean. PepsiAmericas manufactures, distributes and markets a broad portfolio of Pepsi-Cola, and other national and regional brands. Additional information on PepsiAmericas is available at www.pepsiamericas.com.

For more information please contact:
Media
Mary Viola
(847) 598-2870
mary.viola@pepsiamericas.com

Investor Relations:
Sara Zawoyski
(612) 661-3830
sara.zawoyski@pepsiamericas.com