A-Treat Bottling Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Beverage |
| Founded | 1918 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Founder | James J. Munjone |
| Defunct | January 23, 2015 (original production halted) |
| Fate | Brand purchased by Jaindl Companies and production restarted in 2015 |
| Headquarters | Allentown , United States |
Area served | Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Bermuda |
Key people | James J. Munjone (founder), Vincenza Munjone, Gioacchino Egizio, Joseph C. Egizio (chairman until 1989), John L. Egizio (vice president until 1990) |
| Products | Carbonated soft drinks (A-Treat line) |
| Owner | Jaindl Companies (since 2015) |
| Website | www |
The A-Treat Bottling Company was a beverage manufacturer based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, known for producing and bottling the A-Treat line of carbonated soft drinks. Although production halted on January 23, 2015, the brand was revived and production restarted following its purchase by Jaindl Companies.
20th century
The enterprise was established by the Munjone family,[1] beginning with James J. Munjone (1887–1936), who launched a beverage venture from his family residence in Allentown before setting up a dedicated manufacturing plant there.[2] After his passing, control of the company passed to his sister Vincenza Munjone and her husband Gioacchino Egizio, whose descendants continued managing the business.
In 1932, the Egizio siblings moved operations to Union Boulevard in East Allentown,[1] where it has remained ever since. Joseph C. Egizio served as chairman of the board until 1989 and passed away in 2000 at age 96.[3] John L. Egizio began working as a delivery boy at age 13 and later became vice president and co-owner until his death in 1990.[2]
In 1991, as A-Treat sought to expand into New York City, it became the target of a defamatory campaign falsely linking the company to the Ku Klux Klan and alleging that its products contained harmful substances specifically aimed at African American consumers.[4] These accusations were thoroughly investigated and debunked by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and New York City health officials.[4]
21st century
On July 21, 2015, Jaindl Companies acquired the A-Treat brand along with its trademarks, formulas, and related intellectual property. Production resumed in August 2015 under a co-packing arrangement with The Coca-Cola Company, ensuring manufacturing stayed within the Lehigh Valley. A consumer poll was conducted to select initial flavors for the relaunch; Orange Cream won with 17% of votes, although it was later revealed that one individual skewed results by submitting over 10,000 votes. Black Cherry placed second with 8%. Alongside these two flavors, production commenced on eight additional varieties: Birch Beer, Cream, Big Blue, Ginger Ale, Sarsaparilla, Orange, Root Beer, Grapefruit, and Diet Cream. The first soda produced during the brand’s 2015 comeback was A-Treat Grapefruit.
On May 20, 2016, A-Treat unveiled Orange Cream as its first new flavor launch in more than six years.
Products
A-Treat set itself apart by traditionally crafting sodas using essential oils and cane sugar instead of extracts and high fructose corn syrup. By the end of its original production period, both cane sugar syrup and high fructose corn syrup were utilized. The company’s lineup included at least sixteen flavors such as Big Blue (blue raspberry), Birch Beer, Black Cherry, Champagne Kola, Cola, Cream soda, Fruit Punch, two types of Ginger Ale (Pale Dry and Golden), Grape, Grapefruit, White Birch Beer, Pineapple, Sarsaparilla, two Orange options (regular and Orange Dry), Lime (previously Tom Collins Mixer), Tonic Water (formerly Quinine Water), Strawberry, Treat-up, and Root Beer. Most flavors were also offered in diet versions. Among aficionados of beverages, A-Treat Birch Beer and Sarsaparilla remain especially well-regarded.
Distribution
A-Treat beverages are available throughout major regions such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and Bermuda. This distribution network plays a crucial role in enhancing the company's presence and fostering business expansion within these markets.
External links
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