RJR Nabisco, Schweppes Talk

RJR Nabisco Inc. is close to announcing the proposed sale of two and perhaps three of its soft-drink subsidiaries to Cadbury Schweppes PLC of Britain, a leading industry analyst said Thursday.

Jesse Meyers, publisher of Beverage Digest Newsletter, said he believes that RJR Nabisco’s Hawaiian Punch operation also might be included. He said the sales might be announced today.

If all three are sold, Cadbury Schweppes would replace RJR Nabisco as the third-largest softdrink concern in the United States.

Cadbury Schweppes now sells so-called mixer drinks such as club soda and ginger ale under the Schweppes label.