Long John Silver's quick-service seafood chain, based in Louisville, Ky., has selected Pepsi-Cola as its soft drink supplier for more than 500 company-owned restaurants. The companies say they will share “innovation and insights to enhance the success” of the restaurant chain.

Grupo Modelo and Constellation Brands have announced their new joint venture to distribute and market Modelo beers in the United States will be called Crown Imports LLC. The company will carry Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Pacifico and Negra Modelo beers, which are brewed and bottled by the Grupo Modelo Brewery in Mexico, beginning in January 2007.

Pictured left to right: Andy Berk, chief executive officer, Barton Inc.; José María Arreola, Grupo Modelo representative; José Parés, Grupo Modelo vice president, international markets; and Bill Hackett, president, Barton Beers Ltd.

Minute Maid, based in Houston, announced its third price increase in the past year for chilled premium orange juice, effective Oct. 2. Wholesale list prices for Simply Orange Orange Juice and Minute Maid Premium Orange Juice will increase 3 to 6 percent, and promotional pricing will be curtailed into 2007.  The company says the price increases are the result of cost increases in orange fruit solids and concentrate, fuel and energy, and general inflation.

The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., Chippewa Falls, Wis., announced it is expanding distribution to several new markets, including Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia and Tampa/ Jacksonville, Fla. The company has rolled out its new Sunset Wheat beer in the new markets.

National Distributing Co., Atlanta, has been granted exclusive distribution rights to several Constellation brands in three of its markets. The division in Florida now has rights to RH Phillips/Night Harvest, Hogue, Kumala and Toasted Head. In South Carolina, NDC also will distribute RH Phillips/Night Harvest, Hogue and Kumala. In Colorado, the company will represent the Icon Estates group, including Franciscan, Simi, Estancia, Ruffino, Veramonte, Kim Crawford and Inniskillin, as well as Hogue, RH Phillips/Night Harvest and Kumala.

Fuze Beverage products are now available in Canada, according to the Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based company. New distributors include Choice Beverages, Edmonton, Alberta; Richardson Food Group, Nanaimo, British Columbia; Cott Beverages, Lachine, Quebec; Lachine Distributing, Chatham, Ontario; Courtney’s Wholesale Ltd., London, Ontario; The Great Canadian Drink Co., Ottawa; and Allmart Distributing, Toronto. The company initially rolled out its Slenderize, Refresh and green tea lines.

Kendall Jackson will distribute Drinks Americas’ Trump Super Premium Vodka in the United States through its company-owned distribution and distribution partners in 11 states. Drinks Americas created the brand late last year in partnership with Donald Trump and the Trump Organization. This is the first spirits brand represented by Kendall Jackson.

Michael Mondavi has acquired Carnaros Creek Winery in Napa Valley. The location is expected to produce Mondavi’s I’M, Oberon and Hangtime wines as well as the Mahoney Vineyards and Fleur de California brands produced by the winery’s previous owners.

John Conti Coffee Co. has purchased CJ and Associates Coffee in Winchester, Ky., Sputnik’s Coffee in Evansville, Ind., and Williams Food Service’s Coffee Service Division in Louisville, Ky. With the acquisitions, the company also has added five new people to the staff.

Mayorga Coffee Roasters Inc., a specialty coffee roaster, wholesaler and retailer based in Rockville, Md., has added locations at Reagan National and Dulles Airports that are scheduled to open this fall and next spring, respectively.