PGA Of America Renews Sponsorship With PepsiCo

The PGA of America and PepsiCo, Inc. (NYSE: PEP) has renewed their longstanding partnership with a new multi-year contract. PepsiCo, maker of iconic beverage brands such as Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Lipton iced teas and Aquafina, has served as the official non-alcoholic beverage provider of PGA Professionals since 1993.

Nearly two decades ago, PepsiCo first made a commitment to The PGA of America and its thousands of Professionals nationwide. Today, PepsiCo beverages will continue to be exclusively served in hospitality and concession areas at each PGA Championship, U.S.-based Ryder Cup, Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid and PGA Grand Slam of Golf. PepsiCo beverages will also be poured at PGA of America-owned and operated facilities, including Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., and PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla., which encompasses PGA Golf Club, PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance and PGA Country Club.

"An impressive line of PepsiCo products have collectively served as the beverage choice for a generation of PGA Professionals," said PGA President Allen Wronowski. "The PGA of America is delighted that PepsiCo has extended our partnership, which will span over two decades when the terms are fulfilled, a reflection of the great value of and influence our 27,000 men and women PGA Professionals have on consumers. With a rich tradition of support at the green grass golf facility level and continued engagement at the Association's major consumer events and golf properties, PepsiCo beverages have become an integral part of the fabric of The PGA of America and the game of golf." 

"PepsiCo and The PGA of America have shared a strong relationship for many years, and we're excited to renew our partnership as its exclusive beverage provider," said Stacy Reichert, senior vice president, national sales and chief customer officer of PepsiCo's Foodservice division. "We're committed to supporting the game of golf and its thousands of Professionals across the United States. The PGA of America is a valued partner and will continue to give our brands' great visibility in the golf community over the coming years."

PepsiCo has also renewed its support of Golf Retirement Plus™. Founded in 1997, Golf Retirement Plus is a supplemental retirement program for PGA Professionals and apprentices, GCSAA Superintendents, and CMAA Club Managers, which allows them to make their own contributions or have their employers contribute to their Golf Retirement Plus account on their behalf. PGA Professionals may also earn personal retirement incentives by participating in the Golf Retirement Plus Sponsor Programs.

Since its founded in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf. 

PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader with net revenues of more than $65 billion and a product portfolio that includes 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales. Our main businesses – Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola – make hundreds of enjoyable foods and beverages that are loved throughout the world. PepsiCo's people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet, which we believe also, means a more successful future for PepsiCo. We call this commitment Performance with Purpose: PepsiCo's promise to provide a wide range of foods and beverages for local tastes; to find innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment by conserving energy and water and reducing packaging volume; to provide a great workplace for our associates; and to respect, support and invest in the local communities where we operate. 

Pitbull Acquires Miami Subs Franchise

Armando Christian Perez is affectionately known to music fans as "Pitbull," recently acquired announced the purchase of an equity ownership in Florida's largest and most iconic sub and grill chain, The New Miami Subs Grill. CEO Richard Chwatt, along with President Bob Vogel and Miami Subs Executive Partners Bruce Galloway and Dieuveny Louis celebrated the announcement at a private reception held at Shelborne South Beach in Miami.

The unexpected announcement comes hot off the heels of the "Win Lunch with Pitbull at Miami Subs" sweepstakes and corresponding Webisode series depicting the illustrious history between the two brands. For weeks, the public's curiosity has been mounting as social media outlets for both Pitbull and The New Miami Subs Grill alluded to an upcoming announcement. The fourth and final webisode of the series officially announced the partnership.

"Since childhood Miami Subs has been one of my favorite Miami spots – It's an incredible feeling to take ownership in a brand that's so close to home," says Pitbull. "When you think about music, it's the universal language. When you think about food, it brings everyone together in the same way – that's powerful and now we're bringing The New Miami Subs Grill franchise worldwide."

"We are excited to welcome Armando, 'Pitbull,' to The New Miami Subs Grill family," says CEO Richard Chwatt. "His introduction as a key member of our executive team and Board of Directors is an important step forward for the franchise." President Bob Vogel adds, "Not only will his astute business acumen and American Dream success story inspire prospective franchisees, consumers can expect influences of Mr. Worldwide incorporated into various aspects of existing and planned restaurants, as well as our upcoming Latin Fusion menu."

"As one of the top global artists of our time, with a powerful viral fan base, Pitbull will certainly make The New Miami Subs Grill the franchise brand to watch in 2012 and 2013," remarks Executive Partner Dieuveny Louis.

"I am extremely excited to see this relationship take hold and see Miami Subs reach its full potential, with the inclusion of Pitbull on the team," states Bruce Galloway, current board member of The New Miami Subs Grill.

Heralded by fans worldwide for their famous Philly cheese steaks, wings, gyros as well as the chain's Healthy Dining menu, certified by HealthyDiningFinder.com, The New Miami Subs Grill has been on the cusp of an active brand revival. Descending upon the marketplace in the late 80s, the brand was considered one of the hottest industry success stories of the 90s, pioneering the term 'fast casual' for their dedication to "great food served fast." Customers raved over their late night dining, drive-thrus and the ability to purchase beer, wine or Dom Perignon champagne, which the brand is planning on re-launching at select locations, to complement the quick serve offerings. 

Recently, the Fort Lauderdale-based chain announced aggressive expansion efforts, including new locations planned for the US and Latin America in 2012 and 2013. The brand recently achieved record-breaking sales comparison store by store, year over year, for 72 out of 74 weeks respectively, which CEO Richard Chwatt attributes to the franchise's focus on revitalizing the brand through renovation, relocation and a commitment to downsizing existing locations that simply don't fall in line with projected growth plans. New product introductions include Fresh Angus Steak Burgers which have positioned the chain to compete for added market share in the fast casual sector and include quality statements such as freshly baked brioche rolls and multigrain buns.

Miami Subs Grill, a South Florida company, has been serving great food for over 20 years with the first true Miami Subs restaurant opening in 1988. The iconic franchise chain beloved by fans worldwide, has grown to become Florida's largest regional sub and grill chain featuring world famous Philly cheesesteaks, wings, gyros and burgers. Delivery, beer, wine and breakfast available in select locations.  

Pitbull has risen to become a global superstar as both a recording and performing artist. The Miami-native recently added to a long-and-growing list of hits with his first #1, "Give Me Everything." At the same time, his Planet Pit world tour sold out concerts in Mexico, Canada and Europe, before bringing the party to the United States, Japan and Australia. Pitbull teamed with international superstar Shakira for his latest single "Get It Started," which is the first release from Global Warming, the highly anticipated follow-up to Planet Pit, which earned critical acclaimed and enjoyed massive commercial success with sales of more than 1.3 million albums and 18 million singles. Global Warming comes on the heels of Pitbull's million-selling single "Back In Time," the chart-topping anthem from the action-adventure-comedy Men In Black 3. To complement his worldwide success as an artist, Pitbull is also a burgeoning businessman with his own line of premium, low-calorie vodka, Voli and a partnership with Sheets, the dissolvable energy strip. These entrepreneurial ventures are the latest for Pitbull, who has inked major sponsorship deals with blue-chip brands like Dr. Pepper and Bud Light.