The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved the recommendation of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muhtar Kent for an evolution of the company’s senior leadership structure. Under the new structure, company veteran James Quincey, president and chief operating officer (COO), will succeed Kent as CEO, effective May 1, 2017. 

Austin, Texas-based Deep Eddy Vodka, a division of Heaven Hill Brands, announced its expansion with the purchase of a 194,000-square-foot facility located just outside of the Austin city limits in Buda, Texas. 

Brynwood Partners VII LP, Greenwich, Conn., announced that its majority-owned portfolio company, Harvest Hill Beverage Co., has reached an agreement to acquire the Nutrament business from Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition Inc. 

Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI) announced results from its study analyzing the habits of U.S. consumers regarding alcohol beverages. Although drinks of choice differed among generations, consumers — from millennials to seniors — continue to indulge in beer, wine and spirits products with regular frequency at home and on-premise, it reports. 

Boulder, Colo.-based Celestial Seasonings, a brand of The Hain Celestial Group Inc., is inviting tea lovers to celebrate the magic of the season with a free Candy Cane Lane Holiday Tea sample program on Facebook.

Dunkin' Donuts, Canton, Mass., and the National Hockey League (NHL) announced a multi-year agreement, making Dunkin' Donuts the official U.S. coffee, doughnut and breakfast sandwich of the NHL. 

Seattle-based Starbucks Corp. announced that Kevin Johnson, president and chief operating officer (COO) and a seven-year member of the Starbucks Board of Directors, will expand his responsibilities and assume the role of president and chief executive officer, effective April 3, 2017.

Los Angeles-based Pabst Brewing Co., announced that it has named Simon Thorpe Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1. Eugene Kashper, current chairman and chief executive officer, will remain full-time Chairman of the Board and continue to play an active role in the business. There will be a 60-day transition period between Kashper and Thorpe to ensure a smooth handover, the company says. 

The founders of Miami Bay Beverage LLC, Branford, Conn., announced that the company is changing its name to trimino Brands, effective immediately. Trimino, which produces a protein water in the functional beverage category, has experienced explosive growth since its launch in late 2014, the company says. 

Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, a brand of E.J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, Calif., announced that it will ring in the New Year as the Official Bubbly of New Year's Eve Times Square. As the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball drops, Barefoot will toast with millions to the start of another year full of opportunities and bring people together in celebration, the company says.