Company History

Founded on Jan. 6, 1958, by George W. Sampson, Cherokee Distributing Company started with four trucks, seven employees and a commitment to outstanding customer service. Our company has grown significantly in the past half-century, but our commitment to customer service remains unchanged.

We offer the leading brands of beer and other nonalcoholic beverages to suit a wide range of consumer tastes. Our extensive experience in the industry and a rich history in Tennessee allow us to respond to the needs of today’s marketplace with efficient, courteous and reliable service. Changing and innovating, while maintaining a firm foundation in outstanding service, is the key to our company’s growth.

In January 2016, Cherokee Distributing Company acquired Mid-South Distributing, a Middle Tennessee wholesale beverage distribution company, thus expanding our service area from 22 to 53 counties in Tennessee. In October 2017, Cherokee Distributing Company acquired Carter Distributing Company, a Chattanooga-based MillerCoors distributor for Southeast Tennessee, and expanded our service area from 53 to 61 counties in the state.

In addition to our headquarters in Knoxville, we manage distribution centers in Chattanooga, Cookeville, Kingsport, Pulaski and Tullahoma, all of which ensure fast, convenient service to the counties in our territory:

Anderson, Bedford, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Coffee, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Hickman, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Loudon, Macon, Marion, Marshall, portions of Maury, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Moore, Morgan, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Smith, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, Wayne and White.

We are a responsible, generous corporate citizen committed to the communities we serve and supportive of numerous organizations and events. Cherokee Distributing Company advocates moderate and responsible drinking.