McWherters Expand Beverage Industry
Mike McWherterJACKSON (September 15) — The McWherter family of Jackson, with roots in Weakley County, announces the purchase of Arkansas Distributing Company, now Best Beverages of West Memphis. Three generations of McWherters have operated beverage distributorships, including Central Distributors and Volunteer Distributing, located in Dresden.
“We are continuing to expand our footprint in the beverage industry to keep the distributorships
performing as vital economic and community assets,” stated Michael McWherter, president of the
McWherter family enterprises. The McWherter family said it looks forward to continuing its long history of being a deeply-rooted corporate citizen and community supporter in the territories it serves, which will now include areas in Eastern Arkansas alongside West Tennessee.
McWherter family members engaged in the management of the companies include Michael, son of
company founder and former Governor of Tennessee Ned Ray McWherter; Mary Jane McWherter,
Secretary/Treasurer and Director of the company and their son, Walker McWherter, Vice President of
the company and a Director.
“Walker McWherter will be a key management officer for the Arkansas territory; with Walker helping to manage Arkansas, he will bring to the area our family’s level of commitment to support the retailers and communities we will now serve,” said Mary Jane McWherter.
The McWherter family’s two West Tennessee companies service 13.5 counties and employ 90 men and
women, while the Arkansas operation employs 35. The McWherter family’s operations serve approximately 1,000 retail accounts.
The Best Beverages of West Memphis territory includes the area stretching north from West Memphis
along the Mississippi River to Missouri and is comprised of five counties, including Crittenden, Cross,
Mississippi, Poinsett, and St. Francis. The territory also includes Craighead and Greene counties for nonalcoholic beverages.
Warehouse and distribution operations will remain around three strategic hubs: Jackson and Dresden in
Tennessee and West Memphis, Arkansas. The companies’ top distribution partner is Anheuser-Busch, and they also distribute many local partners including Ghost River, Wiseacre, Crosstown and Hub City Brewing, as well as a number of other non-malt based beverages.
“As a company, we are excited to extend our service area, which will benefit our new and existing suppliers, retailers, and staff,” Mike McWherter noted.
