SEATTLE — Jones Soda Co. has entered a deal with Walmart for its premium soda products to be carried in the discount giant’s 3,800 U.S. stores.

Jones Soda Co. has entered a deal with Walmart for its premium soda products to be carried in the discount giant’s 3,800 U.S. stores.

The Seattle-based beverage maker said the distribution agreement with Walmart will expand its total retail outlet distribution by almost 10% and make the product more accessible to millions of new consumers.

Jones Soda’s shares surged more than 80% on the Nasdaq stock exchange the day that the deal was announced.

"The primary complaint through our customer service feedback is that people can’t find Jones Soda near them," Jones Soda chief executive William Meissner said in a statement. "The Walmart deal allows for another one of America’s premier retailers to offer Jones. Walmart greatly expands our distribution footprint and truly makes our product accessible to everyone, which is something the Jones Soda brand has always stood for. Now almost anyone, anywhere in the U.S. can seek out a nearby store or stumble upon our product and purchase it on the spot. We are incredibly energized by the growth potential this Walmart expansion brings."

Jones said that under the deal with Walmart, it has been given three shelf facings for a custom-assorted six-pack of Jones Pure Cane Soda. The six-pack will include two bottles each of some of Jones’ most popular flavors: Green Apple, Berry Lemonade and Cream Soda.

The supplier added that the Walmart distribution came after a successful test of those products in 750 stores. Plans called for the Jones products to be available in nearly all of Walmart’s U.S. stores by the end of May.