Sysco

In 1966, Zero Foods owner John Baugh initiated discussions with the leaders of eight other food distribution companies about the prospect of forming one large corporation.{{cite news |last=Hassell |first=Greg |date=July 10, 1998 |title=The sage of Sysco; Retired founder still at work |work=Houston Chronicle |quote=Zero Foods was transformed into Sysco in the late 1960s, when Baugh decided the time was ripe to go national. Rather than battle rivals in other cities, he recruited eight different distributors with the idea of joining him and forming one big company... Baugh initiated the discussions in 1966, and three years later, the far-flung companies cemented their partnership.}} The nine companies agreed to terms and formed Sysco in May 1969. At the time of the merger, the total sales of the nine companies were approximately $115 million.{{cite news |last=Takahashi |first=Paul |date=March 26, 2020 |title=Houston food service giant Sysco marks 50th anniversary as challenges mount |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/texas-inc/article/Houston-food-service-giant-Sysco-marks-50th-15156737.php |access-date=December 19, 2023 |work=Houston Chronicle}} In March 1970, Sysco held its initial public offering.{{cite news |author= |date=November 7, 1998 |title=Business briefs; Houston & Texas |work=Houston Chronicle |quote=Sysco Corp. plans to raise its cash dividend by a penny to 10 cents per share… The dividend increase is the 30th approved since the company's initial public offering in March 1970.}}

Sysco made its first acquisition in 1970, purchasing Arrow Foods Distributor.{{cite news |last=Amber |first=Melis |date=August 6, 2023 |title=Sysco: 13 Facts About The Nation's Largest Food Distributor |url=https://www.mashed.com/1354502/sysco-facts-nations-largest-food-distributor/ |access-date=December 19, 2023 |work=Mashed}} Between 1970 and 1980, the company continued to grow through the acquisition of 25 small food distributors.{{cite news |author= |date=February 12, 1981 |title=$1 Billion Company 'Practically Invisible' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/12/business/article-002314-no-title.html?searchResultPosition=1 |access-date=December 19, 2023 |work=New York Times}} It also expanded its trucking fleet and constructed refrigerated warehouses for food storage.

In 1980, Sysco recorded $1.2 billion in annual revenue. The following year, it moved its stock from the American Stock Exchange to the New York Stock Exchange. In 1985, Sysco was described in a New York Times report as "the nation's leading food service marketing and distribution company."{{cite news |last=Gilpin |first=Kenneth N. |date=November 11, 1985 |title=President Named In Sysco Changes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/11/11/business/business-people-president-named-in-sysco-changes.html |access-date=December 19, 2023 |work=New York Times}}

In 1988, Sysco achieved nationwide coverage through its acquisition of the food distributor CFS Continental.{{cite news |last=Hagerty |first=James R. |date=January 3, 2020 |title=Former Sysco CEO Bill Lindig, Who Helped Create Food-Service Giant, Dies at 83 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sysco-ceo-bill-lindig-who-helped-create-food-service-giant-dies-at-83-11578065401 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=Wall Street Journal}} By 1996, Sysco was the third-largest company in Houston and had over 30,000 employees.Hassel, Greg. "[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1996_1372095/sysco-goes-to-court-vs-riostar-chapter-7-sought-fo.html Sysco goes to court vs. RioStar/Chapter 7 sought for Ninfa's parent]." Houston Chronicle. Friday October 18, 1996. Business 1. Retrieved on February 6, 2012. Sysco acquired Newport Meat in 1999,{{Cite web |last=Earnest |first=Leslie |date=1999-07-10 |title=Sysco Acquiring Newport Meat |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-10-fi-54594-story.html |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} which at the time had sales of approximately $100 million per year. This was the company's first acquisition of a California company.{{cite news |author= |date=July 10, 1999 |title=COMPANY NEWS; SYSCO TO BUY A CALIFORNIA MEAT DISTRIBUTOR |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/10/business/company-news-sysco-to-buy-a-california-meat-distributor.html |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=New York Times}} Between 1995 and 2000, Sysco's annual sales increased from $12 billion to $19 billion. In 2002, Sysco expanded into the Canadian market by purchasing SERCA Foodservices for $278 million. SERCA's business was similar to Sysco's, with the Canadian company supplying food products and foodservice supplies to approximately 80,000 customers at the time of the acquisition.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=5 December 2001 |title=SYSCO TO ACQUIRE SERCA, CANADIAN NATIONAL BROADLINER, (USD$1.4-BILLION) |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/sysco-acquire-serca-canadian-national-broadliner-usd14-billion |access-date=29 December 2020 |website=Restaurant Business}} The following year, Sysco acquired Asian Foods, which was then the largest Asian food distribution company in North America.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=12 November 2002 |title=Asian Foods bought by Sysco |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2002/11/11/daily21.html |access-date=29 December 2020 |website=bizjournals}} In 2009, Sysco made its first acquisition outside of North America, buying the Irish food distributor Pallas Foods.{{cite news |last=Labanyi |first=David |date=April 1, 2009 |title=Sysco buys Limerick-based Pallas Foods |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/sysco-buys-limerick-based-pallas-foods-1.734918 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}{{Cite web |date=2009-03-31 |title=Pallas Foods sold to Sysco after two decades of family ownership |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/pallas-foods-sold-to-sysco-after-two-decades-of-family-ownership/26525299.html |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Irish Independent |language=en}} Further expanding its footprint in Ireland, Sysco purchased the food distributor Crossgar Foodservice for an undisclosed amount in 2012.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Kristin |title=Sysco Buys Crossgar Foodservice, Pushing Irish Expansion |url=https://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120612-709668.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617023804/http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120612-709668.html |archive-date=June 17, 2012 |access-date=15 June 2012 |work=Wall Street Journal}}{{cite news |author= |date=June 13, 2012 |title=Crossgar Foodservice bought by US firm Sysco |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-18420634 |access-date=July 2, 2024 |work=BBC}} In December 2012, Sysco acquired Appert's Foodservice, Buchy Food Service, Central Seafood Company, and Distagro.{{Cite web |date=10 January 2013 |title=Sysco Acquires Four Foodservice Businesses |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/sysco-acquires-four-foodservice-businesses |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=Restaurant Business |language=en}}

On December 9, 2013, Sysco announced they were planning to acquire US Foods, their closest competitor, for a total of $3.5 billion.{{cite news |last=de la Merced |first=Michael J. |date=June 29, 2015 |title=Sysco Terminates Deal With US Foods |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/30/business/dealbook/sysco-terminates-deal-with-us-foods.html |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=New York Times}} However, on June 24, 2015, US Federal Judge Amit Mehta ruled that the combined Sysco-US Foods would control 75% of the U.S. food service industry and would stifle competition.{{Cite news |last=Kendall |first=Brent |date=2015-06-29 |title=Judge Explains Reasons for Blocking Sysco-US Foods Merger |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/federal-judge-releases-public-version-of-sysco-us-foods-opinion-1435427201 |access-date=2020-07-08 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}} As a result, on June 29, 2015, Sysco terminated its merger with US Foods.{{cite web |date=June 29, 2015 |title=Sysco Cancels $8.2 Billion US Foods Takeover In Big Antitrust Win For FTC |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoinegara/2015/06/29/sysco-cancels-8-2-billion-us-foods-takeover-in-big-antitrust-win-for-ftc/ |website=Forbes}}

In February 2016, Sysco announced that it was purchasing the Brakes Group for $3.1 billion.{{Cite news |last=Hellier |first=David |date=2016-02-22 |title=Brakes sold to US company Sysco in $3.1bn deal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/feb/22/brakes-sold-us-company-sysco-31bn-deal |access-date=2024-09-06 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} At the time, Brakes was serving about 50,000 restaurants, hotels, and schools across Europe.{{cite news |last=Picker |first=Leslie |date=February 22, 2016 |title=Sysco to Acquire Brakes Group, a Food Distributor in Europe |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/business/dealbook/sysco-to-acquire-brakes-group-a-food-distributor-in-europe.html |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=New York Times}} In October 2017, Sysco acquired HFM FoodService, and later changed its name to Sysco Hawai'i in 2019.{{Cite web |title=HFM FoodService becomes Sysco Hawaiʻi {{!}} 2019-08-29 {{!}} Refrigerated & Frozen Foods |url=https://www.refrigeratedfrozenfood.com/articles/98039-hfm-foodservice-becomes-sysco-hawaii |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=www.refrigeratedfrozenfood.com |language=en}}

In February 2018, Sysco acquired Doerle Food Services, a Louisiana-based foodservice.{{Cite web |last=report |first=Advocate staff |date=2018-02-19 |title=Sysco Corp. acquires Doerle's Louisiana-based food service distribution business serving six states |url=https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/business/sysco-corp-acquires-doerles-louisiana-based-food-service-distribution-business-serving-six-states/article_fb7802f2-15d3-11e8-a401-f375935b63ed.html#:~:text=acquires%20Doerle's%20Louisiana-based%20food%20service%20distribution%20business%20serving%20six%20states,-Advocate%20staff%20report&text=Houston-based%20Sysco%20Corp.%20has,not%20part%20of%20the%20transaction |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=The Advocate |language=en}} In March 2018, Sysco acquired Kent Frozen Foods.{{Cite web |last=foodmanufacture.co.uk |date=2018-04-04 |title=Sysco completes Kent Frozen Foods acquisition |url=https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2018/04/04/Frozen-food-company-acquisition-completed |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=foodmanufacture.co.uk |language=en-GB}} In 2020, Sysco acquired a 50% stake in Pacific Star Foodservice.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Frazer |date=2020-05-17 |title=Sysco Acquires 50 Percent Stake in Mexican Distributor Pacific Star Foodservice |url=https://fooddigital.com/food/sysco-acquires-50-percent-stake-mexican-distributor-pacific-star-foodservice |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=fooddigital.com |language=en}}

In May 2021, Sysco acquired Greco and Sons, a distributor of Italian specialty food products.{{cite news |last=Romeo |first=Peter |date=May 20, 2021 |title=Sysco to acquire Italian specialist Greco and Sons |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/operations/sysco-acquires-italian-specialist-greco-sons |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=Restaurant Business}} In the September the same year, Sysco acquired Medina Foodservice.{{Cite web |last=Cheshire |first=Luisa |date=3 September 2021 |title=Sysco acquires Medina Foodservice |url=https://www.fruitnet.com/fresh-produce-journal/sysco-acquires-medina-foodservice/186166.article |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=Fruitnet |language=en}} In November 2021, FreshPoint, a division of Sysco, acquired Paragon Foods.{{Cite web |last=Schooley |first=Tim |date=29 November 2021 |title=Bellin sells Paragon Foods to FreshPoint division of Sysco |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2021/11/29/sysco-corporation-buys-paragon-foods.html |access-date=27 September 2024 |website=Pittsburgh Business Times}} Later that year, Sysco purchased the fresh produce distributor The Coastal Companies for the purpose of supplementing both its fleet and its specialty produce business.{{cite news |last=Kapadia |first=Shefali |date=December 8, 2021 |title=Sysco acquires distributor The Coastal Companies and its fleet assets in M&A spree |url=https://www.truckingdive.com/news/sysco-acquisition-distributor-coastal-companies-fleet-food/611119/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=Trucking Dive}} In October 2023, Sysco announced that it was purchasing Edward Don & Company, a food service supplies and equipment distributor.{{cite news |author= |date=October 14, 2023 |title=Sysco to acquire Edward Don & Company |url=https://houstondaily.com/stories/650309790-sysco-to-acquire-edward-don-company |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=Houston Daily}}{{Cite web |last=Romeo |first=Peter |date=11 October 2023 |title=Sysco is buying equipment supplier Edward Don |url=https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/technology/sysco-buying-equipment-supplier-edward-don |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=Restaurant Business |language=en}} This acquisition gave the company additional office and distribution space, as well as the ability to design and build kitchens for its customers.{{cite news |last=Whitaker |first=Harriet |date=October 16, 2023 |title=Edward Don & Co sells business to Sysco |url=https://usa.cateringinsight.com/edward-don-enters-into-agreement-to-be-acquired-by-sysco/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=Catering Insights}}

In December 2023, Sysco Ireland announced plans to acquire Ready Chef Ltd.{{Cite news |title=Sysco Ireland to acquire fruit and veg supplier Ready Chef |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/12/08/sysco-ireland-to-acquire-fruit-and-veg-supplier-ready-chef/ |access-date=2024-09-19 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=Sysco Ireland to acquire specialist produce supplier Ready Chef |url=https://businessplus.ie/ma/mergers-acquisitions/sysco-ready-chef/ |access-date=2024-09-19 |language=en-GB}}

In October 2024, Sysco acquired Scotland-based meat and fish supplier, Cambell's Prime Meat.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-30 |title=Campbell's Prime Meat joins Sysco family in landmark acquisition |url=https://www.scottishfinancialnews.com/articles/campbells-prime-meat-joins-sysco-family-in-landmark-acquisition |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Scottish Financial News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Brakes' parent company acquires Scottish meat supplier |url=https://www.thecaterer.com/products--equipment/brakes-parent-company-acquires-scottish-meat-supplier |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=The Caterer |language=En}}Image:2008-07-24 International truck docked at Duke Hospital South 2.jpg]]

Sysco sells and distributes food and non-food products to businesses that serve food, such as restaurants, healthcare facilities, sports stadiums, and schools.{{cite news |last=Yang |first=Jia Lynn |date=May 27, 2009 |title=Veggie Tales |url=https://money.cnn.com/2009/05/26/technology/yang_sysco.fortune/index.htm |work=CNN |access-date=March 20, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Ferguson |first=Grier |date=May 28, 2020 |title=Food distributor moves quickly to meet rapidly shifting needs |url=https://www.businessobserverfl.com/news/2020/may/28/food-distributor-moves-quickly-to-meet-rapidly-shifting-needs/ |work=Business Observer |access-date=March 20, 2024}} These goods include ingredients such as meats and produce, as well as frozen foods and prepared meals.{{cite news |last=Redman |first=Russell |date=April 21, 2020 |title=Sysco kicks off online grocery service in Canada |url=https://www.supermarketnews.com/issues-trends/sysco-kicks-online-grocery-service-canada |work=Supermarket News |access-date=March 20, 2024}} Sysco also provides its customers with dining room supplies, kitchen equipment, and eating utensils.

Within its broader business, Sysco provides customers goods and expertise through its specialty divisions. For example, its FreshPoint division supplies produce to customers.{{cite news |last=Koger |first=Chris |date=August 3, 2018 |title=Sysco's FreshPoint to add fresh-cut capabilities in Dallas |url=https://www.thepacker.com/news/food-safety-news/foodservice-news/packer-tech/syscos-freshpoint-add-fresh-cut-capabilities |work=The Packer |access-date=March 20, 2024}} In 2021, Sysco acquired Greco & Sons, an importer and distributor of Italian food products. Greco & Sons operates as an independent division within the company.{{cite news |last=Gillespie |first=Lane |date=May 20, 2021 |title=Sysco to acquire US-based Italian food co. |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2021/05/20/sysco-acquires-greco-and-sons.html |work=Houston Business Journal |access-date=March 20, 2024}} Sysco offers custom kitchen building for its restaurant customers. The company also aids these customers with tasks such as menu design and the development of marketing campaigns.{{cite news |last=James |first=Chandler |date=September 10, 2020 |title=Sysco Launches New Foodie Solutions Platform |url=https://www.andnowuknow.com/buyside-news/sysco-launches-new-foodie-solutionstm-platform-greg-keller/chandler-james/69999 |work=AndNowUKnow |access-date=March 20, 2024}}

Sysco owns Sygma, a subsidiary it founded in January 1984.{{cite news |author= |date=November 14, 1985 |title=Food-Service Growth Fills Out Sysco Menu |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/11/14/food-service-growth-fills-out-sysco-menu/ |access-date=March 20, 2024}} Sygma is a food service supplier specializing in large chain restaurants. As of February 2023, Sygma was operating 15 distribution centers and delivering goods to 13,000 chain franchises throughout the United States.{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Abby |date=February 13, 2023 |title=Sysco Corp. opens food distribution facility in NKY, will employ 300 |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/02/13/sysco-corp-opens-northern-kentucky-facility.html?ana=cincinnati_local12_bd |work=Cincinnati Business Courier |access-date=March 20, 2024}}

Since 2009, Sysco has worked with the World Wildlife Fund to set targets on the volume of seafood it procures from sustainable fisheries.{{cite news |last=Aronson |first=Melissa |date=January 13, 2024 |title=Sysco Announces 2025 Seafood Sustainability Commitment |url=https://seafoodsustainability.org/sysco-announces-2025-seafood-sustainability-commitment/ |work=Seafood Sustainability |access-date=June 17, 2024}} In January 2021, Sysco announced plans to increase purchases of sustainable seafood, particularly from fisheries certified by the Marine Stewardship Council and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.{{cite news |last=Blank |first=Christine |date=January 14, 2021 |title=Sysco tightens seafood sustainability policy to require more MSC- and ASC-certified seafood |url=https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/environment-sustainability/sysco-tightens-seafood-sustainability-policy-to-require-more-msc-and-asc-certified-seafood |work=Seafood Source |access-date=March 20, 2024}} Sysco's "One Planet. One Table." assortment of products, which includes approximately 3,000 food items backed by at least one of 20 sustainability certifications and standards, launched in November 2023.{{cite news |author= |date=November 30, 2023 |title=Sysco introduces 'One Planet. One Table.' |work=Houston Daily |url=https://houstondaily.com/stories/652708842-sysco-introduces-one-planet-one-table |access-date=December 18, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Stockton |first=Sommer |date=November 29, 2023 |title=Sysco Introduces 'One Planet. One Table' Product Line |url=https://theshelbyreport.com/2023/11/29/sysco-introduces-one-planet-one-table-product-line/ |work=The Shelby Report |access-date=December 18, 2024}}

In 2016, Sysco committed to a 10-year plan to use 100% cage-free eggs in its US supply chain by 2026.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2016-06-23 |title=Sysco Commits To Source 100% Cage-Free Eggs |url=https://www.perishablenews.com/retailfoodservice/sysco-commits-to-source-100-cage-free-eggs/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Perishable News |language=en-US}}

In December 2021, Sysco announced its intention to cut its carbon footprint by 27.5% by 2030.{{cite news |author= |date=December 2, 2021 |title=Sysco Commits to Electrify 35% of Fleet by 2030 |work=Trucking Info |url=https://www.truckinginfo.com/10157129/sysco-commits-to-electrify-35-of-fleet-by-2030 |access-date=March 20, 2024}} In May 2022, Sysco committed to the purchase of 800 Freightliner eCascadia electric trucks.{{Cite web |last=Hanley |first=Steve |date=2022-05-23 |title=More Electric Semi Trucks Coming To US & Europe |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2022/05/23/more-electric-semi-trucks-coming-to-us-europe/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=CleanTechnica |language=en-US}} The first vehicles in this order were delivered in November 2022.{{cite news |last=Lovrak |first=Tess |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Sysco receives first battery electric Freightliner eCascadia |url=https://www.fleetequipmentmag.com/sysco-electric-freightliner-ecascadia/ |work=Fleet Equipment |access-date=March 20, 2024}} In August 2022, Sysco's UK division launched its first electric delivery truck.{{cite news |last=Badger |first=James |date=August 25, 2022 |title=Brakes and Sysco Speciality Group begin electric vehicle trial |url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/wholesalers/brakes-and-sysco-speciality-group-begin-electric-vehicle-trial/670817.article |work=The Grocer |access-date=May 22, 2024}} In April 2023, the company announced the construction of an electric vehicle hub in Riverside, California.{{cite news |author= |date=April 25, 2023 |title=Sysco unveils vision for first EV hub: 40 electric tractors and refrigerated trailers; 4MWh ESS and 1.5MW additional solar |work=Green Car Congress |url=https://www.greencarcongress.com/2023/04/20230425-sysco.html |access-date=May 22, 2024}} As of September 2024, the company operates 130 heavy-duty electric tractors across the US, Canada, Sweden, and the UK.{{cite news |last=Packer |first=Peggy |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Sysco Adds Electric Tractors to Fleet in Victoria, British Columbia; Neil Russell Shares |url=https://www.andnowuknow.com/behind-greens/sysco-adds-electric-tractors-fleet-victoria-british-columbia-neil-russell/peggy-packer/93335 |work=AndNowUKnow |access-date=December 19, 2024}}{{cite news |author= |date=May 30, 2024 |title=Sysco adds 10 electric trucks in Houston |work=Fleet Owner |url=https://www.fleetowner.com/refrigerated-transporter/refrigerated-vehicles-equipment/article/55054932/sysco-adds-10-electric-trucks-to-houston-fleet |access-date=January 8, 2024}}

In February 2024, the company's UK division partnered with the foodservice technology firm Nutritics to develop a system that helps food businesses quantify the carbon footprint of the food they serve.{{cite news |last=Barker |first=Michael |date=February 16, 2024 |title=Sysco launches innovative carbon labelling system for foodservice |url=https://www.fruitnet.com/fresh-produce-journal/sysco-launches-innovative-carbon-labelling-system-for-foodservice/258639.article |work=Fresh Produce Journal |access-date=March 20, 2024}}

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• [http://www.asianfoods.com Asian Foods Inc.]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070320210834/http://www.businessweek.com/bw50/2007/58.htm BusinessWeek 50 ranking and analysis of Sysco]
• [http://www.SYGMAnetwork.com The SYGMA Network, Inc.]

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