Coca-Cola Is Said to Have Option to Acquire Suja as Part of Deal

Coca-Cola Co., which announced an investment in organic-juice maker Suja Life LLC on Wednesday, has the option to acquire the company outright within about three years, according to two people familiar with deal.

For now, Coca-Cola and Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s merchant-banking division are investing $150 million in Suja, purchasing just under 50 percent of the company, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the terms are private. That would value the juice startup at about $300 million. As part of the transaction, Coca-Cola will expand Suja’s distribution and provide funds to build a new factory.