July 20, 2023 -- PURCHASE, NEW YORK – PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA) named Pepsi-Cola of Worcester, Inc. in Holden, Mass. its 2022 Donald M. Kendall Bottler of the Year.
Named for PepsiCo’s revered former chairman and chief executive officer, the Donald M. Kendall Bottler of the Year Award was created in 1994 to honor the very best of the best among independent Pepsi-Cola bottlers in the United States and Canada.
The award was presented to Bob Rauh, President & CEO at Pepsi-Cola of Worcester, Inc. by PBNA CEO Kirk Tanner and Paul Finney, SVP, Strategic Partnerships for PBNA at an awards ceremony held on Wednesday, July 19.
Pepsi Worcester serves a diverse range of regional and national customers and is being recognized for consistent execution, strong business results and service to their community. A family-run business through three generations, since Robert H. Rauh purchased
the company in 1956, Pepsi Worcester has demonstrated that they are leaders in building a strong partnership with PepsiCo. They excel in all areas of business from driving innovation, implementing strategic initiatives including Gatorade’s
DSD transformation, and leveraging best practices to win in the College and University channel. In addition to outstanding business performance, Pepsi Worcester supports various community and charitable organizations throughout their markets specifically
women owned business and Smile MASS.
“Over 50 years ago Bob, Dick and Bill Rauh stepped in to work alongside their father Robert to nurture and grow a critically important Pepsi Franchise in central Massachusetts,” said Richard Glover, President of PBNA’s North Division.
“Over the years they have met many challenges in their business but have found the strength in their family and the pride in the marketplace to become one of the most successful franchise owners in the US.”
“On behalf of The Rauh Family & The entire team of Pepsi-Cola of Worcester, Inc., we are honored and humbled to have won the prestigious Donald M. Kendall Award, and we thank PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA) for their recognition,”
said Bob Rauh, President & CEO. “I couldn’t be prouder to continue to build our partnership and legacy with PBNA and to continue to support our customers and the communities across Massachusetts and Connecticut.”
Also honored as Donald M. Kendall Bottler of the Year finalists were Gillette Pepsi-Cola Co. of Mankato, Minn. in the Central Division, Buffalo Rock Corp. of Columbus, Ga., in the South Division, L&E Bottling Co. of Olympia, Wash. in the West Division,
and Northland Beverages of Whitehorse, Yukon from the Canadian Division.
About Pepsi-Cola of Worcester, Inc
Pepsi-Cola of Worcester, Inc. is local, family-owned franchise bottler employing more than 130 employees, running operations in two locations (Holden, MA and Dayville, CT) servicing over 1100 customers.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complimentary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages,
including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create
value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for the planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.
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