Dr Pepper Snapple Group to Dublin Bottler: Honor the Agreement You Signed

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Responding to the Aug. 9, 2011 filing by Dr Pepper Bottling Co. of Dublin, Texas, in U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (NYSE: DPS), today issued the following statement:

Signed contracts matter, and we are disappointed that Dr Pepper Bottling Co. of Dublin, Texas, refuses to keep its promises and honor its agreement. We’re not seeking money or to prevent Dublin from selling Dr Pepper made with cane sugar. We simply want them to sell only within their six-county territory and stop marketing and packaging Dr Pepper as “Dublin Dr Pepper.”

Dublin’s conduct dilutes our trademark and creates confusion in the marketplace, because their product is no different than any other Dr Pepper made with cane sugar and sold by several other bottlers. In fact, Dublin’s filing ignores the reality that almost all of the product they sell isn’t even made in Dublin. It’s made by Temple Bottling Co. of Temple, Texas, and is the same cane sugar-sweetened Dr Pepper that DPS sells in distinctive 8 oz. glass packaging throughout Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Waco.

We tried to resolve these issues with Dublin without turning to the courts. We even offered alternative packaging that promotes their heritage and their use of cane sugar, but in a way that stays true to the famous Dr Pepper trademark. They not only refused this compromise but actually demanded money to honor their agreement, which left us no choice but to file suit.

Whether you’re the oldest bottler or the newest, the largest or the smallest, no bottler is bigger than the Dr Pepper brand or above the agreement it signed. Unfortunately, unlike the other 170-plus Dr Pepper bottlers, Dublin steadfastly refuses to live up to the contract they signed in 2009.

About Dr Pepper Snapple

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (NYSE: DPS) is the leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 9 of our 12 leading brands are No. 1 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes Sunkist soda, 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Crush, Mott's, Squirt, Hawaiian Punch, Peñafiel, Clamato, Schweppes, Venom Energy, Rose's and Mr & Mrs T mixers. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit www.drpeppersnapple.com.

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