LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville businessman Ulysses "Junior" Bridgeman is moving from burgers to cola.
Coca-Cola announced Wednesday that Bridgeman will become one its independent bottlers.
Bridgeman's company, Manna Inc. will acquire a production facility in Lenexa, Kan., and it will become the exclusive distributor of Coke products in four midwest states.
Bridgeman is a former NBA player, who purchased Wendy's and Chili's franchise restaurants while he was still playing basketball.
The former NBA star is now selling his vast amount of restaurants to transition to the Coca-Cola business.
The new bottling company will become the third new, independent Coca-Cola bottler in recent decades.
Bridgeman is also a big supporter of the University of Louisville and former chairman of the Board of Trustees.
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