North Carolina-based Cheerwine recently announced a distribution agreement with gourmet retailer The Fresh Market that will put the cherry-flavored soft drink in all 106 The Fresh Market locations in 21 states.
The deal gives Cheerwine far greater ability to expand outside its Southern base as the company looks to transition from a regional beverage to a national brand and is also a boon to Cheerwine’s stated goal of achieving distribution in all 50 states by its 100th anniversary in 2017.
“Our mission is to liberate Cheerwine and to bring a smile to consumers everywhere,” said Tom Barbitta, Vice President of Marketing for Cheerwine. “This partnership with The Fresh Market represents a great way to extend the brand to new consumers through our Original Cheerwine with real cane sugar in glass bottles.”