Coca-Cola issue number CR#8008891171
November 3, 2020 - Times are EST
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5:06:02PMCoca-Cola Live Chat Jonathan has joined this session!
5:06:02PMCoca-Cola Live Chat Connected with Jonathan. Your reference number for this chat session is 258367.
5:06:11PMJonathan Welcome to the Coke Store, how can I help?
5:06:25PMScott Can you tell me when you are going to resume production of Barq's rootbeer?
5:06:47PMJonathan Hi Scott
5:06:48PMScott Specifically, the 12-ounce cans?
5:07:12PMJonathan We are sorry for the inconvenience. It is not discontinued. Like many companies, we are seeing greater demand for products consumed at home, and we are taking measures to adapt to the demand. We are working closely with our suppliers to mitigate the challenge during this unprecedented time.
5:07:27PMJonathan Due to the reduction in how many employees can work inside the factory and still keep up with the new safety standards, some factories may not be able to fill all the orders as they are forced to leave some production lines turned off. Some products may be available in limited supply while others are on pause until full operations can resume.
5:08:10PMScott I have not seen Barq's rootbeer in any of my grocery stores for well over a month.
5:08:25PMJonathan As for supply of cans depends on if our suppliers that deliver the pre-printed cans can get enough aluminum to deliver our entire order. The USA is in an aluminum shortage and supply of empty cans is limited.
5:08:56PMScott It doesn't look like they are short. It looks like they have none at all. They don't even have shelf space alloted to it anymore.
5:09:29PMScott Ahhh.
5:09:37PMJonathan Are you finding it in bottles? Most states don't have it in bottles either.
5:10:56PMScott I saw it in bottles for a little longer than cans. But right now, I don't even see the bottles. Besides, the way we store and use it, it is better in cans.
5:11:10PMScott I'm in New Hampshire.
5:11:57PMJonathan Based on this limited production the selection has been cut back quite a bit to mostly the core Coca-Cola, diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero
5:12:38PMJonathan The team is working to get some of those other products out as soon as they can catch up with demand for those main ones.
5:13:20PMScott I see. What is the prognosis? Sometime this month? Some time this year?
5:14:38PMJonathan The bottlers are working with the machines they can run until the health situation passes. I can't say for sure when the bottlers will be able make their way down the top sellers to their small batch products.
5:15:18PMJonathan Feel free to occasionally check the Barq's Product locator tool to see if they made some.
5:15:38PMJonathan https://www.barqs.com/product-locator/
5:16:09PMScott Yes. I have used that locator. It directed me to a CVS that does not have any.
5:16:41PMJonathan Yea best to call the store to confirm if they got wiped out by someone else stocking up
5:16:51PMScott Doesn't everybody know that the supply of Coca Cola products is an essential service?
5:17:53PMJonathan They haven't shut us down, so someone cares. But with the safety measures leaving machines turned off to allow for proper spacing in the factory between workstations means that few products can be made.
5:18:23PMScott Oh well. Please stay healthy...
5:19:13PMJonathan Thanks the entire headquarters went remote back in late March, sadly the factory doesnt have that luxury.
5:19:33PMJonathan We appreciate your patience. Chat us back if you have any other questions.
5:19:43PMJonathan Thank you for contacting Coca-Cola Company. Have a great week.
5:19:49PMScott OK, Thanks.
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