UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 28, 2019

Monster Beverage Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

1 Monster Way

Corona, California 92879
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(951) 739 - 6200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):

o                                    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o                                    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o                                    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o                                    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-of this chapter).

Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Item 8.01. Other Events.

As previously reported, in October 2018, Monster Beverage Corporation (the “Company”) and The Coca-Cola Company (“TCCC”) mutually agreed to submit to arbitration before the American Arbitration Association the issue of whether TCCC is permitted to manufacture, market, sell or distribute three energy drink products it developed.  On June 28, 2019, the arbitration tribunal issued a final award in favor of TCCC.

On July 1, 2019, the Company and TCCC issued a joint press release regarding this final award.  A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

Regardless of this outcome, the Company and TCCC value their relationship and look forward to their continued partnership.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 Press Release dated July 1, 2019.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

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Exhibit 99.1

The Coca-Cola Company and Monster Beverage Corporation announce decision by arbitration panel

ATLANTA and CORONA, California. — An arbitration tribunal of the American Arbitration Association has informed The Coca-Cola Company and Monster Beverage Corporation that the introduction and sale of Coca-Cola Energy is allowed under the terms of a contract between the companies.

The companies respect the arbitrators’ decision and appreciate that the dispute was resolved amicably. While there was a disagreement between Coca-Cola and Monster over contractual language, the companies value their relationship and look forward to their continued partnership.

Coca-Cola and Monster mutually agreed to submit their dispute to arbitration before the American Arbitration Association in October 2018. The arbitrators ruled June 28 that Coca-Cola Energy products fall within an exception to a non-compete provision relating to beverages marketed or positioned under the Coca-Cola brand.

Under the ruling, Coca-Cola can continue to sell and distribute Coca-Cola Energy, including in markets where it has already been launched. Coca-Cola is also free to launch the product in additional markets globally.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries and territories. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brand, our portfolio includes AdeS, Ayataka, Costa, Dasani, Del Valle, Fanta, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest, innocent, Minute Maid, Powerade, Simply, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

The fairlife® brand is owned by fairlife LLC, our joint venture with Select Milk Producers Inc. Products from fairlife are distributed by our company and certain of our bottling partners.

About Monster Beverage Corporation

Based in Corona, California, Monster Beverage Corporation (NASDAQ: MNST) is a holding company and conducts no operating business except through its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company’s subsidiaries develop and market energy drinks, including Monster Energy®

energy drinks, Monster Energy Ultra® energy drinks, Monster MAXX® maximum strength energy drinks, Java Monster® non-carbonated coffee + energy drinks, Espresso Monster® non-carbonated espresso + energy drinks, Caffé Monster® noncarbonated energy coffee drinks, Monster Rehab® non-carbonated energy drinks, Muscle Monster® energy shakes, Monster Hydro® energy drinks, Reign Total Body FuelTM high performance energy drinks, NOS® energy drinks, Full Throttle® energy drinks, Burn® energy drinks, Samurai® energy drinks, Relentless® energy drinks, Mother® energy drinks, Power Play® energy drinks, BU® energy drinks, Nalu® energy drinks, BPM® energy drinks, Gladiator® energy drinks, Ultra Energy® energy drinks, Mutant® energy drinks and Predator® energy drinks. For more information, visit www.monsterbevcorp.com.

Contacts:

Coca-Cola

Investors and Analysts: Tim Leveridge, koinvestorrelations@coca-cola.com

Media: Scott Leith, sleith@coca-cola.com

Monster

Investors, Analysts and Media: Roger S. Pondel / Judy Lin Sfetcu, PondelWilkinson Inc., (310)279-5980