Cheerwine partners with Pepsi to strengthen Atlanta presence

Cheerwine is partnering with Coca-Cola rival Pepsi to expand distribution in Atlanta, Memphis and Florida and one day make the North Carolina brand available coast to coast.

The 94-year-old beverage maker, a favorite in the South, will be added to shelves wherever Pepsi products are sold in the three markets, the company said. The move is expected to double Cheerwine's overall market size. It follows a similar venture with Pepsi that helped Cheerwine expand in Knoxville, Nashville and Chattanooga earlier this year.

The company's ultimate goal is to distribute Cheerwine to stores across the nation by 2017, the business' 100th anniversary.