MillerCoors is being sued by two Ohio beer distributors for canceling their franchise contracts as part of a move to streamline Miller’s distribution network.
Beverage Distributors Inc. and AFP Distributors Inc. claim in a complaint filed Aug. 29 that MillerCoors, a joint venture of SABMiller Plc and Molson Coors Brewing Co., broke an Ohio law governing beer franchises when it said it will switch to new distributors Sept. 25.
SABMiller and its U.S.-based Miller Brewing unit “have attempted to use the creation of MillerCoors for the improper and unlawful purpose of changing the existing distribution network for the Miller brands,” Beverage Distributors and AFP claimed in their complaint, filed in federal court in Columbus, Ohio.
The distributors are seeking an order to block MillerCoors from ending their distribution agreements or permitting other distributors to operate in their exclusive territories.
MillerCoors spokesman Peter Marino declined to comment on the suit.
MillerCoors is the second- largest beer company in the U.S., with about 30 percent of the market.
Anheuser-Busch Cos., which is being bought by InBev NV, is the biggest, with almost half the U.S. market.
MillerCoors began operating in July after antitrust regulators approved the plan by SABMiller and Denver-based Molson Coors to merge their U.S. operations.
MillerCoors brands include Miller High Life, Coors, Hamms and Red Dog.
