FINANCE

Seven-Up Suspending Interest on Debt: Seven-Up/RC Bottling Co. of Southern California Inc. said that it will suspend interest payments on $140 million of debt, citing weak earnings caused by price competition and lower sales. The interest payments on the 11.55 senior secured notes that mature in 1999 were due Tuesday. The Vernon-based company said earnings before interest, taxes and other items fell 76% to $1.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, down from $6.7 million in the year-ago period. The company said it will meet with creditors to discuss the situation.