Food Distribution

Food distributors face fierce competition, commodity purchasing risks, pricing pressures from their customers, and many other daily challenges that result in razor-thin margins. Fort Dearborn’s breadth and depth of experience in this sector has helped clients identify key strengths and weaknesses and implement profit improvements, ranging from laser-focused price increase strategies to improving pick and pack efficiencies, and more.

Fort Dearborn has worked with clients from some of the largest distributors in their respective markets, to smaller operations carving a niche in their space. Our clients have had distribution footprints that span North America or serve local markets and have distributed into all channels, including large format grocers, specialty stores, food-service, hospitality & amusement, convenience stores, restaurants, and food processors. 

Highlighted Engagements

$4,000M
Revenue

distributor of convenience store merchandise and sundries

$2,500M
Revenue

distributor of ethnic and specialty foods

$830M
Revenue

Distributor of ethnic foods to food-service customers

$660M
Revenue

Distributor of natural and organic, specialty and gourmet, international and multicultural products

$600M
Revenue

distributor of convenience store and grocery store merchandise and sundries

$300M
Revenue

distributor of broadline grocery foodservice products, packaging, and paper

$250M
Revenue

Distributor into fresh perimeter departments of deli, meats and cheeses

$225M
Revenue

distributor of branded food products

$200M
Revenue

multi plant bakery of bread, buns and sweet goods

$170M
Revenue

Distribution of food service and janitorial/sanitation products

$100M
Revenue

candy manufacturer

$80M
Revenue

importer and producer of meditteranean foods and meats for distribution

$70M
Revenue

beef & chicken distributor to restaurants and food-service

$60M
Revenue

Branded ethnic food distributor

$55M
Revenue

fresh fish distributor

$50M
Revenue

prime and choice grade beef processor

$41M
Revenue

supplier of locally-sourced raw honey across the US

$35M
Revenue

fresh fish processor & distributor

$13M
Revenue

processor and distributor of fruit and vegetable products

$10M
Revenue

local, regional, natural and artisanal foods distribution

Experienced Professionals

FDP News

Oct - 23

Max Bechtel and Austin Curtis join Fort Dearborn Partners

Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the Fort Dearborn Team, Max Bechtel and Austin Curtis.

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Apr - 23

Fort Dearborn advises Reliable Knitting Works

Fort Dearborn Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor for the refinancing of Reliable Knitting Works, a $125 Million Wisconsin-based Company.

Read More