Coca Cola Consolidated

To serve others and pursue excellence by becoming the most advanced and efficient beverage distribution network.

Coca Cola Consolidated SWOT Analysis

Updated: October 4, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

How to Use This Analysis

This analysis for Coca Cola Consolidated was created using Alignment.io™ methodology - a proven strategic planning system trusted in over 75,000 strategic planning projects. We've designed it as a helpful companion for your team's strategic process, leveraging leading AI models to analyze publicly available data.

While this represents what AI sees from public data, you know your company's true reality. That's why we recommend using Alignment.io and The System of Alignment™ to conduct your strategic planning—using these AI-generated insights as inspiration and reference points to blend with your team's invaluable knowledge.

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The Coca-Cola Consolidated SWOT analysis reveals a powerful incumbent at a crucial inflection point. Its formidable scale, exclusive Coca-Cola partnership, and operational prowess grant it a deep competitive moat. However, this strength is tested by significant macroeconomic headwinds, particularly input cost inflation and labor pressures, which threaten margins. The primary strategic imperative is to transform its operational strength into a technology-fortified advantage. By aggressively pursuing digitization for efficiency, expanding into high-growth beverage categories, and reinvesting in its vital frontline workforce, COKE can not only defend its market leadership but also redefine excellence in modern distribution. The path forward requires leveraging its foundational stability to fuel a necessary evolution, turning current threats into catalysts for innovation and long-term, profitable growth. The mission is clear: evolve or risk being outmaneuvered by more agile, digitally native competitors in a rapidly changing consumer landscape.

Reyes Holdings Arca Continental Keurig Dr Pepper PepsiCo National Beverage Corp.

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To serve others and pursue excellence by becoming the most advanced and efficient beverage distribution network.

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Strengths

SCALE: Largest US bottler with unrivaled distribution density and reach.
PARTNERSHIP: Exclusive, perpetual franchise with The Coca-Cola Company.
OPERATIONS: Proven excellence in complex Direct Store Delivery logistics.
FINANCIALS: Consistent profitability and strong operating cash flow.
CULTURE: Purpose-driven identity enhances employee retention and service.

Weaknesses

COSTS: High exposure to volatile commodity prices (aluminum, PET).
LABOR: Dependence on a large frontline workforce faces wage pressures.
DEBT: Carries nearly $1B in debt, limiting some strategic flexibility.
INNOVATION: Slower adoption of disruptive tech compared to digital natives.
DIVERSIFICATION: Revenue is heavily concentrated in carbonated soft drinks.

Opportunities

PORTFOLIO: Capitalize on growth in energy, coffee, and sports drinks.
TECHNOLOGY: Implement AI for dynamic routing and predictive maintenance.
PRICING: Leverage revenue growth management tools to optimize margins.
SUSTAINABILITY: Invest in fleet electrification and recycled materials.
ACQUISITIONS: Consolidate smaller distributors or adjacent businesses.

Threats

INFLATION: Persistent high input costs for fuel, labor, and materials.
CONSUMERS: Shift in preferences away from traditional sugary sodas.
COMPETITION: Private label brands and agile niche beverage companies.
REGULATION: Potential for new taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.
SUPPLY: Global supply chain disruptions impacting ingredient availability.

Key Priorities

EFFICIENCY: Mitigate inflation by doubling down on operational excellence.
DIGITIZATION: Accelerate tech adoption to unlock new efficiencies/data.
DIVERSIFICATION: Expand non-CSD portfolio to align with consumer trends.
TALENT: Invest in frontline teammates to ensure service and execution.

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Coca Cola Consolidated OKR

Updated: October 4, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

This Coca-Cola Consolidated OKR plan is a masterclass in focus and execution. It directly translates the strategic imperatives from the SWOT into a clear, actionable roadmap. The objectives—DRIVE EFFICIENCY, ACCELERATE DIGITAL, EXPAND PORTFOLIO, and EMPOWER TEAMMATES—are not just goals; they are declarations of intent that create clarity for the entire organization. The key results are specific, measurable, and outcome-oriented, moving beyond mere activities to define what success truly looks like. This plan provides the necessary scaffolding to protect the core business through efficiency while simultaneously building the digital and portfolio capabilities required for future growth. It is a pragmatic yet ambitious blueprint designed to fortify the company's leadership position for the next decade.

Reyes Holdings Arca Continental Keurig Dr Pepper PepsiCo National Beverage Corp.

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To serve others and pursue excellence by becoming the most advanced and efficient beverage distribution network.

DRIVE EFFICIENCY

Forge the industry's most cost-effective supply chain.

AUTOMATION: Reduce cost-per-case by 5% through targeted warehouse automation and process optimization projects.
ROUTING: Decrease miles-per-case by 7% by deploying AI-driven dynamic routing software across 100% of the fleet.
MAINTENANCE: Improve fleet uptime to 98% by implementing a new predictive maintenance program based on vehicle data.
PROCUREMENT: Mitigate input cost volatility by locking in 75% of key 2026 commodity needs under new contracts.

ACCELERATE DIGITAL

Transform data into our most valuable asset.

PLATFORM: Launch a new B2B self-service portal, migrating 50% of independent accounts to online ordering.
ANALYTICS: Equip 100% of sales team with a new analytics dashboard showing store-level growth opportunities.
FORECASTING: Increase demand forecast accuracy by 15% at the SKU level by implementing a new machine learning model.
INTEGRATION: Consolidate three disparate legacy data systems into a single, unified data warehouse for analysis.

EXPAND PORTFOLIO

Win in the highest-growth beverage categories.

ENERGY: Grow energy drink case volume by 15% through enhanced merchandising and cooler placement initiatives.
SPORTS: Increase market share in the sports drink category by 200 basis points with new brand activation plans.
COFFEE: Double the distribution points for our ready-to-drink coffee portfolio in key convenience channels.
INNOVATION: Successfully launch three new innovation products, achieving 85% of planned distribution targets.

EMPOWER TEAMMATES

Be the undisputed best place to work in our industry.

RETENTION: Reduce voluntary frontline turnover by 10% through new career pathing and recognition programs.
SAFETY: Decrease recordable incident rate by 15% by deploying new safety training and equipment protocols.
ENGAGEMENT: Improve teammate engagement scores by 5 points in the annual survey, focusing on leadership.
DEVELOPMENT: Ensure 90% of frontline leaders complete a new operational leadership development training course.

METRICS

Case Volume Growth: +2.5%
Operating Margin: 11.5%
Net Revenue Per Case: +4.0%

VALUES

Honor God
Serve Others
Pursue Excellence
Grow Profitably

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Coca Cola Consolidated Retrospective

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Coca-Cola Consolidated Q1 2025 10-Q Filing
Coca-Cola Consolidated Investor Relations Website
Publicly available financial data from Yahoo Finance
Company corporate website for leadership and mission information
Industry reports on beverage distribution and logistics

Reyes Holdings Arca Continental Keurig Dr Pepper PepsiCo National Beverage Corp.

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To serve others and pursue excellence by becoming the most advanced and efficient beverage distribution network.

Toggle Theme

What Went Well

PRICING: Strong net revenue per case growth, successfully offsetting costs.
MARGINS: Gross profit and income from operations both increased year-over-year.
BRANDS: Sparkling beverage category showed resilient volume growth.
CASHFLOW: Generated strong operating cash flow, enabling debt reduction.
EXECUTION: Maintained high levels of customer service amid supply chain issues.

Not So Well

VOLUME: Overall case volume growth was modest, showing market saturation.
COSTS: Continued high input costs for materials and manufacturing.
SG&A: Selling, delivery and administrative expenses increased as a % of revenue.
STILLS: Still beverage portfolio (water, tea) showed some volume softness.
LABOR: Wage inflation continues to be a significant headwind for the business.

Learnings

PRICING: Revenue Growth Management is a critical lever in an inflationary world.
EFFICIENCY: Every basis point of operational efficiency matters to the bottom line.
PORTFOLIO: A balanced portfolio is key to navigating shifting consumer tastes.
SERVICE: Reliability and service are key differentiators, even with price hikes.
INVESTMENT: Continued investment in manufacturing and logistics is non-negotiable.

Action Items

TECHNOLOGY: Accelerate rollout of warehouse automation and routing software.
PROCUREMENT: Secure favorable contracts for key commodities for next 12-18 months.
HIRING: Enhance recruitment and retention programs for frontline teammates.
MARKETING: Increase focus on marketing for high-growth still beverage brands.
OPTIMIZATION: Conduct a full review of the SG&A cost structure for savings.

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Organization	SWOT Analysis	OKR Plan	Top 6	Retrospective

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Coca Cola Consolidated Market

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Coca-Cola Consolidated Q1 2025 10-Q Filing
Coca-Cola Consolidated Investor Relations Website
Publicly available financial data from Yahoo Finance
Company corporate website for leadership and mission information
Industry reports on beverage distribution and logistics

Founded: 1902
Market Share: Largest Coca-Cola bottler in the U.S. by volume.
Customer Base: Retailers, grocers, convenience stores, restaurants, venues.
Category:
Beverage Distribution
SIC Code: 2086
NAICS Code: 312111 Soft Drink Manufacturing
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Zip Code: 28211
Congressional District: NC-12 CHARLOTTE
Employees: 17000

Competitors

Reyes Holdings Request Analysis

Arca Continental Request Analysis

Keurig Dr Pepper View Analysis

PepsiCo View Analysis

National Beverage Corp. Request Analysis

Products & Services

No products or services data available

Distribution Channels

Coca Cola Consolidated Business Model Analysis

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Coca-Cola Consolidated Q1 2025 10-Q Filing
Coca-Cola Consolidated Investor Relations Website
Publicly available financial data from Yahoo Finance
Company corporate website for leadership and mission information
Industry reports on beverage distribution and logistics

Problem

Retailers need reliable access to top brands
Managing complex beverage supply chains is costly
Maximizing sales in the beverage aisle is hard

Solution

One-stop-shop for a vast beverage portfolio
Tech-enabled Direct Store Delivery (DSD) system
Merchandising and sales data analytics services

Key Metrics

Case volume growth and net sales revenue
Operating income and gross margin percentage
On-time, in-full delivery rates for customers

Unique

Exclusive bottling rights in a massive territory
Unmatched physical logistics network density
Deep, multi-generational customer relationships

Advantage

Perpetual franchise with The Coca-Cola Company
Scale economies in manufacturing and distribution
Proprietary sales and delivery technology stack

Channels

Direct sales force and account management teams
Direct Store Delivery (DSD) network
Online B2B ordering portals for key accounts

Customer Segments

Large-format retail (grocery, mass merchants)
Small-format retail (convenience, drug stores)
On-premise (restaurants, hospitality, venues)

Costs

Raw materials (aluminum, PET, sweeteners)
Manufacturing and supply chain labor wages
Fleet fuel, maintenance, and depreciation

Coca Cola Consolidated Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: October 4, 2025

Coca-Cola Consolidated provides beverage distribution that simplifies complex supply chains for retailers. It drives category growth through an unmatched brand portfolio and ensures absolute reliability with its vast, tech-enabled delivery network. This allows partners to focus on their customers, confident their beverage aisle is optimized for maximum profitability and consumer satisfaction, delivered with excellence every single time.

GROWTH: We drive your beverage category growth.

SIMPLICITY: We simplify your supply chain.

RELIABILITY: We deliver excellence, every time.

Before State

Fragmented beverage orders from many suppliers
Inconsistent stocking and merchandising efforts
Lost sales from out-of-stock popular drinks

After State

One reliable partner for a vast beverage portfolio
Optimized shelves, always stocked and appealing
Data-driven insights to maximize beverage sales

Negative Impacts

High operational overhead managing vendors
Poor in-store customer experience and sales
Inaccurate demand forecasting, wasted capital

Positive Outcomes

Simplified supply chain, reduced operating costs
Increased beverage category revenue and profit
Higher inventory turns and improved cash flow

Key Metrics

Case Volume Growth

+1.5% in latest quarter.

Customer Retention Rates

Estimated >95% for key accounts.

Net Promoter Score (NPS)

Estimated 50-60 (B2B industry average).

Customer Feedback/Reviews

High ratings for delivery reliability.

Requirements

A trusted distribution partner with immense scale
Technology to manage inventory and logistics
Expertise in retail merchandising and marketing

Why Coca Cola Consolidated

Leveraging our vast Direct Store Delivery fleet
Deploying proprietary sales & delivery tech
Providing dedicated local account management

Coca Cola Consolidated Competitive Advantage

Largest Coca-Cola bottler, unmatched portfolio
Decades of logistical expertise and density
Deep, long-standing relationships with retailers

Proof Points

Serving 60 million consumers across 14 states
Consistently ranked high in retailer surveys
Multi-generational partnerships with key accounts

Coca Cola Consolidated Market Positioning

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Coca-Cola Consolidated Q1 2025 10-Q Filing
Coca-Cola Consolidated Investor Relations Website
Publicly available financial data from Yahoo Finance
Company corporate website for leadership and mission information
Industry reports on beverage distribution and logistics

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

Dominate logistics via tech, not just scale.

Embed as indispensable CPG growth advisors.

Lead with data-driven brand assortment.

Be the top destination for supply chain talent.

What You Do

Manufacture, market, and distribute nonalcoholic beverages.

Target Market

Retail and foodservice customers across 14 states.

Differentiation

Exclusive Coca-Cola bottling rights in its territories.
Unmatched scale in its direct store delivery network.

Revenue Streams

Wholesale beverage sales to retail and foodservice.
Vending machine operations.

Coca Cola Consolidated Operations and Technology

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Coca-Cola Consolidated Q1 2025 10-Q Filing
Coca-Cola Consolidated Investor Relations Website
Publicly available financial data from Yahoo Finance
Company corporate website for leadership and mission information
Industry reports on beverage distribution and logistics

Company Operations

Organizational Structure: Centralized leadership with regional operational hubs.
Supply Chain: Vertically integrated: manufacturing, warehousing, delivery.
Tech Patents: Focus on proprietary logistics and sales execution software.
Website: https://www.cocacoke.com/

Top Clients

Board Members

Coca Cola Consolidated Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

Low. The capital investment for manufacturing and a DSD network is massive, and franchise agreements create impenetrable barriers to entry.

Supplier Power

High. Concentrated suppliers for key raw materials like aluminum and resins have significant pricing power, directly impacting COKE's COGS.

Buyer Power

High. Large retail customers like Walmart and Kroger represent a significant portion of sales and can exert considerable pressure on pricing.

Threat of Substitution

Medium. Consumers can switch to other beverage types (e.g., tap water, powdered drinks), but brand loyalty for core products remains strong.

Competitive Rivalry

High. While COKE is the largest in its territories, it faces intense competition from other distributors (Pepsi, KDP) and private label.

Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: October 4, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The Coca-Cola Consolidated AI SWOT analysis underscores a monumental opportunity. The company's core strength is its vast, proprietary dataset—the lifeblood of powerful AI. This data, combined with its operational scale, creates a unique laboratory for revolutionizing logistics. The primary challenge is not external, but internal: bridging the talent gap and modernizing legacy systems to fully unlock this potential. Key priorities must be ruthlessly focused. First, weaponize AI in logistics for dynamic routing and predictive maintenance to deliver immediate ROI. Second, apply machine learning to commercial operations for smarter forecasting and pricing. Finally, invest in a dedicated data science team to build a sustainable, long-term competitive advantage. By treating AI as a core operational capability, not an IT project, Coca-Cola Consolidated can transform its business from the inside out, creating an efficiency moat that competitors cannot easily cross.

Reyes Holdings Arca Continental Keurig Dr Pepper PepsiCo National Beverage Corp.

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To serve others and pursue excellence by becoming the most advanced and efficient beverage distribution network.

Strengths

DATA: Massive proprietary dataset on sales, logistics, and retail demand.
SCALE: Ideal environment to deploy and test AI logistics models at scale.
PROCESS: Deep understanding of complex distribution workflow optimization.
CAPITAL: Financial capacity to invest in robust AI platforms and talent.
PARTNERSHIPS: Ability to co-develop AI solutions with retail customers.

Weaknesses

TALENT: Shortage of in-house AI and data science expertise vs. tech firms.
LEGACY: Existing IT infrastructure may hinder agile AI model deployment.
QUALITY: Data may be siloed or inconsistent across different systems.
CULTURE: Resistance to data-driven decision-making in some functions.
SPEED: Slower, more deliberate pace of innovation compared to startups.

Opportunities

ROUTING: AI-powered dynamic routing to cut fuel costs and delivery times.
FORECASTING: Predictive demand models to optimize inventory and reduce waste.
MAINTENANCE: AI analysis of fleet data to predict and prevent breakdowns.
PRICING: Machine learning to recommend optimal promotional strategies.
AUTOMATION: Autonomous robotics in warehouses for sorting and loading.

Threats

COMPETITION: Tech-first logistics companies offering AI-native services.
DISINTERMEDIATION: CPG giants using AI to explore direct-to-retail models.
SECURITY: Increased cybersecurity risks from sophisticated AI-driven attacks.
BIAS: Flawed AI models could lead to poor inventory or routing decisions.
COST: High cost of developing and maintaining cutting-edge AI systems.

Key Priorities

LOGISTICS: Deploy AI to create the industry's most efficient supply chain.
COMMERCIAL: Use ML for superior demand forecasting and price optimization.
AUTOMATION: Pilot warehouse and back-office automation to reduce costs.
TALENT: Build a core data science team to drive AI initiatives forward.

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Coca Cola Consolidated Financial Performance

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Coca-Cola Consolidated Q1 2025 10-Q Filing
Coca-Cola Consolidated Investor Relations Website
Publicly available financial data from Yahoo Finance
Company corporate website for leadership and mission information
Industry reports on beverage distribution and logistics

Profit: $556 Million (Net Income TTM as of Q1 2025)

Market Cap: $9.1 Billion (as of May 2024)

Stock Performance

Annual Report: Available on the company's investor relations website.

Debt: $980 Million (Total Debt as of Q1 2025)

ROI Impact: Margin pressure from input costs may impact short-term ROI.

SWOT Index

Composite strategic assessment with 10-year outlook

/ 100

Market Leader

ICM Index

STRATEGIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT

COKE scores as a dominant Market Leader. Its Iconic Index is anchored by a solid SWOT balance and high-quality, executable OKRs. The North Star ambition is category-defining, not society-shaping, appropriately capping its score. High AI leverage potential in logistics is a key future asset. The growth multiplier is modest, reflecting a mature market position and high survival probability rather than exponential, venture-style growth. The strategy is to optimize, not reinvent, its powerful existing model.

SWOT Factors

Upside: 83.3 Risk: 76.7

OKR Impact

AI Leverage

Top 3 Strategic Levers

AI-DRIVEN LOGISTICS: Unlock massive efficiency gains in routing.

PORTFOLIO EXPANSION: Capture growth in non-soda categories.

DIGITAL CUSTOMER PLATFORMS: Deepen B2B partner integration.

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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