EXHIBIT 99.1





                                                        For Immediate Release

CONTACT:                   Anne A. Tarbell
                           Triarc Companies, Inc.
                           212/451-3030
                           www.triarc.com


             TRIARC BEVERAGE GROUP ACQUIRES SNAPPLE DISTRIBUTORS OF
                                  LONG ISLAND

New York, NY, January 4, 2000 - Triarc  Companies,  Inc.  (NYSE:  TRY) announced
today  that  its  subsidiary   Snapple  Beverage  Corp.,  has  acquired  Snapple
Distributors  of Long Island,  Inc.  (Long Island  Snapple) for $16.8 million in
cash,  subject  to  certain   post-closing   adjustments,   plus  certain  other
consideration.

         Long Island  Snapple is the largest  non-company  owned  distributor of
Snapple(R)  products and a major  distributor of Stewart's(R)  products.  With a
distribution  territory  including  Nassau and  Suffolk  counties,  Long  Island
Snapple had net sales of approximately $28 million in 1998.

         Commenting on the  transaction,  Michael F. Weinstein,  Chief Executive
Officer of the Triarc  Beverage  Group  said:  "As with our  recently  completed
acquisition of Millrose  Distributors,  we believe this transaction will enhance
our ability to serve key retail customers while providing  financial benefits to
Triarc.  We have watched the Kaplan  family  build Long Island  Snapple over the
last 20 years into a highly successful distribution  operation.  Throughout this
time, we have enjoyed an excellent relationship with Gil Kaplan and his team.

We look forward to rapidly  integrating  their  operations  into Mr. Natural and
Millrose,  our company-owned New York City,  Westchester County and northern New
Jersey distributors."







         Weinstein  added:  "To further  enhance our  leadership  in the premium
beverage segment,  Triarc Beverage Group will continue to evaluate opportunities
to  strengthen  our  distribution  network,  particularly  in regions  which are
contiguous to our company-owned operations.  With the acquisition of Long Island
Snapple,  company-owned  operations  now  account for  approximately  22% of our
premium beverage volume."

           Triarc is a branded  consumer  products  company in  beverages
(Snapple(R),   Mistic(R),  Stewart's(R)  and  Royal  Crown(R))  and  restaurants
(Arby's(R), T.J. Cinnamons(R) and Pasta Connection(TM)).

                                     # # #

                                  Note Follows







                                      NOTE

         There can be no assurance that Long Island Snapple will be successfully
integrated  with the  operations of Triarc and its  subsidiaries,  including Mr.
Natural,  Inc. and  Millrose  Distributors,  Inc. In  addition,  there can be no
assurance that Triarc will be able to identify and effect any other acquisitions
or  business  combinations  or,  if  completed,  that any such  acquisitions  or
business  combinations  will be  successfully  integrated with the operations of
Triarc and its subsidiaries.