Building for What’s Next in Beverage Distribution

The next generation of beverage industry leaders isn’t just inheriting today’s operations, they’re reinventing them. As distributors face evolving consumer trends, market challenges, and sustainability goals, tomorrow’s success depends on facilities that empower people, maximize efficiency, and prepare businesses for what’s next.

At ARCO Beverage Group, we partner with distributors to design and build modern facilities that enhance efficiency and drive long-term value. Here are a few examples of projects we’ve delivered for distributors investing in future-ready facilities designed for long-term success and growth.

ARCO Beverage Group completed a 117,880 SF beverage distributorship expansion for repeat client, Standard Beverage Corporation, in Lawrence, Kansas. The project features an automated warehouse, enclosed dock, and office space designed to support operational growth and efficiency.

The automated warehouse includes two three-level pick modules and a two-level bottle room to streamline product handling. A new 6,000 SF office features a hospitality space and bar for hosting customers and partners. The project also includes a 12,000 SF connector between the existing facility and the new expansion, designed with 8’6” forklift lanes, an elevated conveyor line, and 18-foot clear heights to support seamless workflow between buildings.

ARCO Beverage Group partnered with Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale Co. to complete a new 350,439 SF state-of-the-art beverage distributorship in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The new facility nearly doubled the leading beer distributor’s presence in the local market and is home to its Fuhrer Eagle Sales & Service division. With a 211,647 SF controlled-environment warehouse, a 29,783 SF draught cooler, and a 21,833 SF ambient warehouse, the facility handles a high volume of beer and other beverages for the division. The facility also features a 28,666 SF office and will house over 100 employees. The expansion effort came in response to the company’s need for increased capacity, as well as accommodation for future growth.

The project was awarded the CoStar Impact Award for Pittsburgh Commercial Development of the Year due to the facility’s capacity to expand product lines and offerings as well as a better working environment for employees. The new facility will allow Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale Co. to continue to expand as a significant driver of business and economic activity in the local market.

ARCO Beverage Group completed a 267,787-SF beverage distributorship and corporate headquarters for Great Bay Distributors in St. Petersburg, Florida. Designed to reflect Great Bay’s commitment to innovation and community stewardship, the facility incorporates advanced sustainable features that deliver both environmental and economic benefits. Central to the sustainable design is a $2.6 million, 1.5-megawatt rooftop solar system—the largest privately owned installation in Florida—which reduces electric costs by up to 40% and offsets an estimated 43,610 tons of CO₂ over its lifespan. Featuring energy-efficient natural gas systems, LED lighting, and durable tilt-up construction, the facility demonstrates a lasting commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and long-term performance.

ARCO Beverage Group recently completed a 116,860-SF expansion for repeat client Crescent Crown Distributing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, adding warehouse space, a new loading room, additional dock positions, and expanded parking to support continued growth. Designed to meet FM Global standards, the project was carefully phased to ensure uninterrupted operations, allowing Crescent Crown to maintain full distribution capacity while enhancing efficiency and scalability. This marks ARCO’s fifth project with Crescent Crown, including the original Baton Rouge facility.

ARCO Beverage Group is a premier, full-service design-build general contractor with more than 30 years of experience providing beverage industry clientele with complete construction services throughout the United States. As the nation’s largest builder of beverage distributorships, ARCO has constructed or made modifications to over 220 beverage facilities nationwide. From new distributorships to expansions and renovations, our team is expertly knowledgeable in the specifications and requirements for beverage facilities to run efficiently and successfully.

ARCO’s proven design-build approach combines quality of design and construction, management of expense, and adherence to schedule into a single point of responsibility. We offer preliminary design at no cost to our customers to remove the risk of substantial upfront costs.