Today, 34000 wholesale food distribution companies are operating in the United States, generating around $991 billion yearly revenue.
To pick 1 food vendor out of 34000 options is of course hard and time-consuming, especially when you’ve got a business to run or a to-do list that is a mile long.
This blog post saves you the time and hassle of doing all the research on your own. We’ve researched 50+ companies and picked the best 20 for you.
20 Best Wholesale Food Distribution Companies in the US
Sysco
Overview: Founded in 1969, Sysco is one of the biggest and most profitable wholesale food distribution companies in the United States.
It serves more than 650,000 customers in 90 different countries around the world with its food and non-food products.
The company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of food quality, consistency, and safety through 100+ QA professionals.
Headquarters: Houston, Texas, US
Distribution Centers: 343
Years of Experience: 53
Customer Base: Restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, colleges, hotels, cafes, industrial caterers, casinos, amusement parks, theaters, military troops, government agencies, and any away-from-home food location.
Special Features: Exclusive for Sysco customers, “Supplies on the fly” is yet another great solution. It is the online source for 170,000+ foodservice products including kitchen supplies and heavy equipment. It offers:
- Daily, weekly, and seasonal specials
- Free shipping on hundreds of trusted brands
- Special bulk discounts
- Fast checkout
- Real-time phone and email support from product experts
Product Categories: Meat & poultry, seafood, dairy, fruits & vegetables, beverages, desserts, bakery items, pantry staples (oils, nuts, grains, etc.) specialty & ethnic food, disposables, cleaning products, and food service supplies (cutlery, cutting boards, plates, etc).
La Tortilleria, LLC
Overview: It’s a fast-growing, Hispanic food distribution business established in 1995. The business took off by selling Mexican-style corn tortillas in North Carolina.
To meet the growing demand for more Hispanic products, La Tortilleria now offers 3000+ grocery and restaurant products originating from Mexico and Central America.
Headquarters: Winston-Salem, NC, US
Distribution Centers: 8
Years of Experience: 25+
Customer Base: 2,100 grocers, wholesalers, and restaurants.
Special Feature: Regardless of the size of your business, La Tortilleria offers its customers low minimum orders and next-day deliveries.
Product Categories: Preservative-free tortillas, tostadas, cheeses, creams, meats, yogurts, snacks, produce, proteins, and paper products.
Gordon Food Service
Overview: It’s the largest, family-owned wholesale food distribution business in North America.
Since 1897, the company has been delivering excellence, expertise, and quality products to its customers.
Gordon Food Service is a broad-ranging business with markets in Canada, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and other US locations.
Headquarters: Wyoming, MI, US
Distribution Centers: 14
Years of Experience: 125
Customer Base: Restaurants, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, hotels, daycare centers, stadiums, convenience stores, churches, recreation centers, and pretty much anywhere where food can be served.
Special Features: Gordon Food Service (GFS) provides unique digital solutions to run your kitchens efficiently including:
- 24/7 online ordering service that allows you to see the GFS product catalog from anywhere at any time and place orders.
- ‘Gordon Now’ – order with your voice feature if you’re busy in the kitchen & can’t type.
- Inventory management software to track your food service products and avoid inventory problems.
- Cycle menu management to plan, customize, and manage menus with nutritional analysis and real-time costing.
- Recipe manager tool to create and store recipes using real-time pricing along with access to hundreds of kitchen-tried recipes.
Product Categories: Appetizers, soups, entrées, poultry, beef, pork, seafood, specialty meats (veal & lamb), hot dogs, sausages, beverages, fresh produce, grocery items, bakery goods, dairy products, cleaning items, disposables, dining supplies, and kitchen equipment.
Kradjian Importing Co.
Overview: For the last 31 years, Kradjian Importing Co. has been involved in the import and wholesale distribution of 3000+ specialty food products.
It serves its customers with the best quality products at reasonable prices.
Headquarters: Glendale, CA, US
Distribution Center: 1
Years of Experience: 31
Customer Base: Grocers, supermarkets, retailers, and other resellers.
Special Features: Kradjian Importing Co. distributes a classic line of cheese called ‘feta cheese’ that is lower in fat and calories than aged cheeses like parmesan or cheddar.
Product Categories: Dairy, pickled products, liquid items (oils, juices, etc.), canned beans, appetizers, jams, cookies, spices, canned meats, seeds, frozen vegetables, baking goods, dry grocery items, confectionaries, and a variety of consumer packaged goods (CPGs).
Another great thing about Kradjian Importing Co. is that you can find all their specialty products online here.
Restaurant Depot
Overview: In 1990, Restaurant Depot opened its doors as a cash-and-carry wholesale food service supplier.
Since then, it’s been supplying foodservice operators with quality kitchen products and the necessary equipment at low prices.
Headquarters: Whitestone, NY, US
Distribution centers: 130+
Years of Experience: 30
Customer Base: Independent restaurants, caterers, pizzerias, coffee shops, and non-profit organizations.
Special Features: Restaurant Depot offers free membership to anyone who owns or manages a food business. The members benefit from exclusive product discounts and special offers.
Another convenient perk is that there are no minimum order requirements.
Product Categories: Fresh/frozen meat, deli, seafood, dairy, dry groceries, fresh produce, and kitchen/cleaning supplies (refrigerator, oven, furniture, dinnerware, etc.).
KeHE Distributors
Overview: KeHE is one of the largest grocery and natural product distribution companies in the United States and it started in 1953.
It achieved the status of ‘B-Corp’ by meeting the highest standards of accountability and transparency as well as social and environmental performance.
With its innovative product assortment, it supports healthy eating and sustainable living.
Headquarters: Naperville, IL, US
Distribution Centers: 16
Years of Experience: around 70
Customer Base: Grocery stores, supermarkets, independent natural retailers, chain retailers, vitamin retailers, pharmacies, convenience stores, E-commerce merchants, and online dropshippers.
Special Features: There are no minimum orders, which means you’re under no obligation to buy in bulk. Also, it offers free shipping on orders worth $50 or more and takes just two days for delivery.
Product Categories: Natural & organic, fresh (deli, cheese, meat, seafood, and bulk), VMS (vitamins, minerals, supplements), personal care, household cleaning supplies, international & national specialty, and general merchandise.
Performance Food Group (PFG)
Overview: PFG was launched in 1885 and over the years the company has maintained its food quality and consistency.
Now, it’s a trusted leader in the food service industry and delivers 300,000+ food and non-food products to more than 300,000 locations.
Headquarters: Richmond, VA, US
Distribution Centers: 150
Years of Experience: 137
Customer Base: Independent & chain restaurants, businesses, schools, colleges, healthcare facilities, vending stations, office coffee service distributors, big box retailers, theaters, stadiums, airports, hotels, convenience stores, and other food-away-from-home (FAFH) venues.
Special Features: PFG is famous for its Braveheart Black Angus beef line. It uses a DNA-TraceBack approach to confirm the ‘Black Angus’ breed.
Product Categories: Snacks, candies, beverages, refrigerated & frozen goods, Italian cuisines, seafood, dairy, cheese, fresh produce, appetizers, pantry staples, bakery items, desserts, non-food items (gloves, aprons, napkins, cleaning products, etc.), and kitchen supplies/equipment.
Golden State Foods (GSF)
Overview: Established in 1947, Golden State Foods has set the gold standard for quality, innovation, and customer experience.
It started as a small meat company servicing local businesses and soon it became the exclusive food service supplier for McDonald’s.
Today, GSF is a multinational company that consistently meets regional and cultural food quality for 150+ brands and 125,000+ restaurants.
Headquarters: Irvine, CA, US
Distribution Centers: 50+ across 5 continents
Years of Experience: 70+
Customer Base: Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and retailers.
Special Features: ‘Quality Custom Distribution (QCD) Services’ is a subsidiary of GSF that delivers when and where needed. It allows customers to customize a dozen of things including the delivery vehicle, the delivery mode, and time.
Product Categories: Liquid products (sauces, dressings, condiments, syrups, & toppings), dairy & beverages (ice creams, smoothies, desserts, coffee creamers, specialty beverages, protein shakes, etc.), protein products (hamburger patties & other beef products), and produce.
Shamrock Foods
Overview: Shamrock Foods is a family-held wholesale food distribution business that opened in 1922.
It is a one-stop solution for all your kitchen needs. The company has a proud history of offering the highest quality in national and exclusive brands.
They are committed to helping customers succeed with their food advice, products, and business solutions.
Headquarters: Phoenix, AZ, US
Distribution Centers: 16
Years of Experience: 100
Customer Base: Restaurants, healthcare settings, educational institutes, casinos, movie theaters, golf clubs, lodging establishments, retailers, and more.
Special Features: Shamrock Foods adapts to the healthcare needs and lifestyle choices of the consumers with its vegan, non-GMO, gluten & dairy-free product line.
Product Categories: Meat, dairy, produce, beverages, dry goods, groceries, fresh & frozen foods, ethnic foods, disposable items, and kitchen/cleaning supplies.
United Natural Foods, Inc (UNFI)
Overview: Since 1976, United Natural Foods, Inc. has been the largest wholesale distributor of natural and organic products in the US and Canada.
Headquarters: Providence, RI, US
Distribution Centers: 58
Years of Experience: 46
Customer Base: Independent retailers and natural product stores
Special Features: UNFI offers a wide range of personal care products that are 100% free of 390+ unwanted ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, etc.
Product Categories: Grocery & frozen items, deli, produce, organic, bakery food, and health & wellness products.
Buffalo Rock
Overview: Founded in 1901, Buffalo Rock is a premium distribution company of food and beverages.
It’s the largest family-operated Pepsi bottler company in the United States.
Not just Pepsi, it stocks soft drinks from 30 different brands and offers up to 150 flavors for its consumers.
It also has a complete range of sugar, low-sugar, and no-sugar beverages.
Headquarters: Birmingham, Al, US
Distribution Centers: 14
Years of Experience: 120+
Customer Base: Self-service markets such as vending machines, kiosks, offices, coffee stations, cafeterias, caterers, and retailers.
Special Features: Buffalo Rock has its own production facility and it produces 90% of the products it distributes including Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale, Grapico, Dr. Wham, etc.
Product Categories: Snacks, cold & hot beverages including carbonated soft drinks, juice, energy drinks, flavored waters, flavored & brewed tea, cappuccino, hot chocolate, and traditional & specialty coffee beverages.
The Martin-Brower Co.
Overview: Martin Brower is a leading provider of logistics services for restaurant chains around the world, with over 8 decades of experience in the industry.
The company was founded in 1934 as a paper distributor and later expanded into food distribution in 1956, becoming the exclusive supplier of food and materials to McDonald’s restaurants in the US.
Headquarters: Rosemont, Illinois, US
Distribution Centers: 70+ worldwide.
Years of Experience: 85+
Customer Base: Over 25,000 restaurants in 18 countries, including big names like McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, KFC, Chipotle, and Starbucks.
Special Features: Martin Brower is all about eco-friendly ways to work that are better for the planet and still get the job done efficiently.
Product Categories: Food items, restaurant tools, and other essentials for fast-food spots, including fresh, frozen, and non-perishable products.
US Foods
Overview: US Foods is one of the largest food service distributors in the United States, serving more than 300,000 customers across the country.
Apart from being one of the giants in food distribution, the company also offers a wide range of products and services to help food service operators succeed in their businesses.
US Foods operates more than 70 distribution facilities and employs over 28,000 associates.
Headquarters: Rosemont, IL, US
Distribution Centers: 70+ across North America and Europe
Years of Experience: 160+
Customer Base: Restaurants, healthcare facilities, hospitality venues, schools, government institutions, and independent food service operators.
Special Features: US Foods provides various solutions to support its customers’ needs, such as US Foods Chef’store—a cash-and-carry warehouse that offers low prices on restaurant-quality products.
Product Categories: Fresh meats & seafood; dairy; produce; bakery; deli; frozen foods; beverages; condiments; spices; oils; sauces; dressings; canned & dry goods; snacks; desserts; disposables; cleaning products; kitchen tools & equipment.
Dot Foods
Overview: Dot Foods is the largest food service redistribution company in the United States. They carry over 133,000 products from 1,100 food industry manufacturers.
Headquarters: Mount Sterling, IL, US
Distribution Centers: 15
Years of Experience: 60
Customer Base: Distributors, food processors, and national account operators.
Special Features: Dot Foods has a state-of-the-art frozen warehouse that is specially designed for the retail segment. It ensures that the products are stored and handled properly and are always ready to be delivered.
Product Categories: Appetizers, soups, entrées, poultry, beef, pork, seafood, specialty meats, beverages, fresh produce, grocery items, bakery goods, dairy products, cleaning items, disposables, dining supplies, and much more.
Nicholas and Co.
Overview: Nicholas and Co. is more than just a food service company. It is a family legacy that spans over eight decades of serving the Intermountain West with quality products and exceptional service.
Whether you need fresh produce, specialty meats, non-foods, or beverages, Nicholas and Co. have it all.
Headquarters: Salt Lake City, UT, US
Distribution Centers: 6
Years of Experience: 80+
Customer Base: Restaurants, schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, casinos, and other food service establishments.
Special Features: Nicholas and Co. give back to the community by supporting various charitable causes and events that align with its mission and vision.
Product Categories: Non-Foods, Frozen, Flowers, Fish Kits, Center of Plate, Produce, Canned & Dry Goods, Beverage.
Ben E. Keith
Overview: Established in 1906 as the Harkrider-Keith-Cooke Company, the company began as a distributor of produce and dry goods.
Over the decades, they expanded their offerings to include meats, dairy, frozen items, and a diverse range of beverages. In 1931, the company rebranded as “Ben E. Keith” in honor of one of its founders.
Headquarters: Fort Worth, TX, US
Distribution Centers: 25
Years of Experience: 115
Customer Base: Restaurants, bars, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other food service operators.
Special Features: Marketing assistance and culinary training.
Product Categories: Fresh produce, meats, poultry, seafood, dairy products, bakery items, frozen foods, dry groceries, beverages (including beer, wine, and spirits), disposables, equipment, and supplies.
McLane Company, Inc.
Overview: McLane is one of the largest supply chain services leaders in the United States, providing grocery and food service solutions for convenience stores, mass merchants, drug stores, and chain restaurants.
Established in 1894, McLane Company has grown from a local grocery store to an international distribution and logistics company.
The company has been a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway since 2003.
Headquarters: Temple, TX, US
Distribution Centers: 80+
Years of Experience: 125+
Customer Base: 49,000 retail locations and 36,500 chain restaurants.
Special Features: McLane Company provides customized food service solutions including menus, recipes, and operational support. Plus, they also provide international logistics and supply chain services for global product sourcing.
Product Categories: Grocery, non-food, food service, beverage, tobacco, candy, snacks, health & beauty products, automotive, general merchandise, and more.
The Chefs’ Warehouse, Inc.
Overview: The Chef’s Warehouse is a leading distributor of specialty food products in the US, Canada, and the Middle East.
The company was founded in 1985 and has grown to serve over 35,000 customers in the food industry. It offers a wide range of artisan ingredients, such as cheeses, charcuterie, oils, vinegars, chocolates, pastries, and specialty meats.
Headquarters: Ridgefield, CT, US
Distribution Centers: 16
Years of Experience: 36
Customer Base: Restaurants, hotels, caterers, gourmet stores, and more.
Special Feature: The Chefs’ Warehouse provides online ordering and delivery services through its website and mobile app.
Product Categories: Dairy, meats, oils, truffles, caviar, baking essentials, spices, condiments, pasta, frozen produce, seafood, and specialty (vegan, gluten-free, organic, kosher, halal, non-GMO).
HF Foods Group Inc.
Overview: HF Foods Group Inc. started as a small business in 1997, delivering Asian food products to local restaurants in North Carolina.
Today, it is serving more than 10,000 customers in 46 states.
Headquarters: Las Vegas, NV, US
Distribution Centers: 14
Years of Experience: 25+
Customer Base: Mostly Asian and Chinese restaurants, as well as other food service customers like hotels, casinos, schools, hospitals, and supermarkets.
Special Features: The company gets products from different regions, such as China and South America, to meet the varied needs and tastes of its customers.
Product Categories: Fresh produce, seafood, meat, dairy, dry groceries, sauces, oils, spices, non-food items (tableware, kitchen equipment, cleaning supplies, takeout containers), and specialty products (organic, gluten-free, halal).
Innovative Food Holdings, Inc.
Overview: Founded in 1999, Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. provides specialty food and healthcare products to the food service and consumer markets.
It offers access to over 7,000 perishable and non-perishable products from around the world through its online platform and distribution network.
Headquarters: Bonita Springs, FL, US
Distribution Centers: 5
Years of Experience: 22
Customer Base: Chefs, restaurants, hotels, country clubs, catering houses, hospitals, and passionate home cooks.
Special Features: Innovative Food Holdings, Inc. (IVFH) operates several online retail brands and websites that cater to different segments of the food market, such as The Fresh Diet, Martha Stewart Wine Co., and Gastro Obscura
Product Categories: Dairy, meats, seafood, produce, bakery, desserts, oils, spices, condiments, grains, snacks, specialty foods, gluten-free, organic, health products, and foodservice supplies.
