In the ongoing cola war against Pepsico Inc., Coca-Cola Co. has crossed enemy lines at the University.
After the expiration of a binding contract, Erb Essentials Store, the Pepsi-dominated convenience store in the EMU, has allowed the competing cola company to stock its shelves.
“A lot of people are excited,” Erb Essentials employee Christ Wriston said. “It’s nice to have a choice.”
According to an informal Emerald survey based on a random sample of University students, 41 percent of the students surveyed said they prefer Coke, while 39 percent chose Pepsi and 20 percent had no preference.
“Everywhere you go, it’s all Pepsi,” senior Todd Melrose said. “It’s frustrating.”
A self-titled “Coke-loyalist,” Melrose said he “doesn’t really care for Pepsi.”
“I don’t like the taste; it’s too sweet,” he said.
Now that at least one University-managed store sells Coke on campus, Melrose said he will know where to go next time he needs a cola fix at the EMU.
“It’s just nice to have the option,” he said.
As a business major, Melrose prides himself in knowing which colas are served at his favorite local restaurants. Melrose said he tends to pass up Taco Bell, Subway and some pizza restaurants for Burger King and McDonald’s, both which sell Coke.
“When I’m hungry and thirsty, it influences my decision of where I want to go,” he said.
EMU Food Services — which manages Erb Essentials, Buzz Coffeehouse, Daily Grind, Greatful Bread and three other campus cafés — has signed contracts with both cola companies at different times.
While Coke dominated all the vending machines on campus from 1997 to 2002, Pepsico obtained the campuswide fountain machine contract. During Erb Essentials’ remodeling in 1998, Pepsi also picked up the refrigerator contract, which covers all Food Service units.
According to Pepsico’s contract, the company agreed to give the convenience store a brand-new, seven-door unit under the condition that it held “only Pepsi-bottled products” for the following five years.
After the contract expired on Dec. 31, 2003, the University took full ownership of the unit and allowed Coke to deliver stock to Erb Essentials just in time for the first day of winter classes.
Although Coca-Cola is the only company that has taken advantage of the previously restricted space, EMU Food Service Director John Costello said he expects other, smaller bottlers to catch on soon.
“Our intention is to allow different operators to market their products on campus,” he said.
Over the years, Coca-Cola has received some negative press, including anti-Coke e-mails circulating online.
Although most consumers consider themselves unaffected by bad cola press, some admit to disliking Coca-Cola because of the negative attention it has received.
“They taste similar, but I’ve heard more bad publicity about Coke,” said senior Taylor Casey, a Pepsi lover.
Casey said she first started avoiding Coke when she received an e-mail that used corrosive images to discourage Coke consumption.
For example, the e-mail stated that Coke can be used to clean rust off a car bumper and dissolve a T-bone steak in two days.
“After that e-mail, I never drank Coke again,” Casey said.
Random e-mails are not the only battle tactic in the cola wars, however.
Rick Bronson, a Coca-Cola Bottling Co. driver of 12 years, was fired from the company after purchasing a Pepsi during his shift, according to http://www.cnn.com. Someone apparently spotted the uniformed Bronson drinking Pepsi and notified the company.
Despite such instances, Costello said he considers both companies to be honest and fair in their business practices.
Coke is still dwarfed by the selection of Pepsi colas and products on campus, however, taking up less than two of seven refrigerator cases in Erb Essentials. Pepsi also owns Frito-Lay snacks, beverages such as Aquafina, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and Quaker Foods.
However, Costello said people should expect Coke, and other companies, to make a comeback eventually.
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