By Business & Finance 
Coca-Cola Refreshments executives, Irishmen Paul Mulligan and Fran McGorry to form new bottler to operate territory that includes Metropolitan New York, Philadelphia and the State of New Jersey
Coca-Cola Refreshments executives Paul Mulligan and Fran McGorry are joining together to form a new bottling company called Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages LLC. In May of this year a letter of intent was released which pertained to the refranchising of a significant area of Coca-Cola’s Northeastern Company-owned territories in the United States, plus four production facilities.
Mulligan and McGorry are experienced veterans of the Coca-Cola system. UCD Business School alumni Mulligan has served as president of Coca-Cola Refreshments since 2014. His previous experience in the system includes leadership roles in operations around the world. He will be co-owner of the new Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages.
McGorry is president of the Tri-State Metro Operating Unit. He will be co-owner of Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages and will continue to be the top executive in charge of the territory. Prior to his current role, McGorry’s career included serving as president of the Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Co. He is a native of Philadelphia and has strong, local connections throughout the Tri-State area.
The next step is a definitive agreement, followed by a closing.
The Coca-Cola Company remains on track to complete refranchising of its U.S. territories by the end of 2017. There are agreements or letters of intent for 100% of the U.S. territories of Coca-Cola Refreshments.
“This is a critical milestone in a journey that dates back more than a decade,” said J. Alexander “Sandy” Douglas Jr., President, Coca-Cola North America. “This important bottling territory will be in great hands under the leadership of Paul and Fran. They are experienced, locally respected operators who see many growth opportunities in the Tri-State market.”
“Becoming a Coca-Cola franchise owner is an honor and a privilege, with a responsibility and challenge we respect,” Mulligan said.
“I have been part of the Coca-Cola family for 30 years, and we see this as a great opportunity to accelerate the business while being an integral part of the local community,” McGorry said.
This agreement is the latest element of an ongoing plan to refranchise all of The Coca-Cola Company’s U.S. bottling territories. The Coca-Cola Company began working with its bottling partners a decade ago on plans to develop a model that evolves the system to serve the changing customer and consumer landscape, with a focus on creating stronger system alignment.
