Legacy Foodservice Alliance Enters Strategic Partnership with UniPro Foodservice; Will Become Acquired Operating Division in 2024
Richmond, VA. – September 8, 2023 – Legacy Foodservice Alliance (“LFA”) today announced plans to enter a strategic partnership with UniPro Foodservice (“UniPro”), a landmark collaboration that will result in LFA becoming an acquired operating division of UniPro on January 1, 2024. The partnership is expected to be formalized in Q4 2023.
The existing LFA team, led by industry veteran Deb Winter, will remain in place to continue servicing the needs of the Members in the operating division. The strategic partnership will bring forth a host of new opportunities for existing LFA Distributor Members and Suppliers, including an expanded Supplier Member list, enhanced procurement options, educational support, and increased brand and business solutions offerings.
“UniPro Foodservice, led by CEO Bob Stewart, are true leaders in our space and will provide significant value to our Members,” said Steve Push, CEO of LFA. “In addition, the benefits to the entire foodservice supply chain with our two companies coming together will be tremendous.”
UniPro Foodservice is the nation’s largest food distribution cooperative, offering its Members unparalleled buying power and enhanced purchasing opportunities that foster sales growth and expand margins. UniPro collaborates with Members and Suppliers to deliver top-notch products across North America and beyond.
Bob Stewart, CEO of UniPro, said, “We’re thrilled to engage with and welcome the Legacy Foodservice Alliance Membership to the UniPro family and to expose our unique offerings. Legacy brings an outstanding roster of Distributor Members, and we respect what Steve Push, Deb Winter, and the entire team have accomplished since the company’s inception in 2009.”
Winter’s illustrious career includes over 40 years of experience in foodservice distribution. In her 13 years as Executive Vice President at LFA, she collaborated closely with supply chain partners, including Distributor Members, Supplier Members, and Service Provider Members to consistently foster sales and profitability growth for the Members. She will have primary responsibility in developing, managing, and expanding the distribution network of the reimagined LFA.
“The Legacy Team is looking forward to working closely with the UniPro Foodservice Team, as we learn about new Supplier programs, Member services, brands, and resources that will help Legacy Distributor Members continue to grow profitably,” said Winter.
As an operating division of UniPro, LFA will be able to offer new growth opportunities for its Members and Suppliers, including:
- Expanded Access to Supplier List and Related Products
- Access to Quality Exclusive Branded Products and Opportunities
- Expanded Set of Member Services and Resources
- New Sales Opportunities for Existing Legacy Suppliers Who Are Not Currently UniPro Program Suppliers
“I could not be happier for the future of the Legacy Members to be in such great hands of an outstanding organization for years to come. By merging the organization into UniPro, we’re putting Legacy Distributor and Supplier Members in a position to win forever. And with that result, I’m thrilled,” Push concluded.
Push will remain in his existing role at LFA through the end of this year. In tandem with these developments, Push was recently announced as CEO of Legacy Food Group (“LFG”), a newly formed holding company, supported by an investment from Quad-C Management, Inc. (“Quad-C”) a private equity firm in Charlottesville, VA. LFG was created to acquire high-quality regional independent distributors that will become operating divisions of a new firm that will provide a welcome new option for customers on a super-regional scale.
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About Legacy Foodservice Alliance:
Founded in 2009, Legacy Foodservice Alliance is a foodservice supply chain alliance with more than 120 foodservice distributors spanning North America, Central America, Bermuda, and the Caribbean that includes a global network of supplier partners. Legacy Foodservice Alliance thrives on uniting their foodservice Members, fostering Member success through shared buying power, advanced technology, industry expertise, and personalized service. Learn more about LFA at www.legacyfoodservice.com.
About UniPro Foodservice:
UniPro Foodservice, the pinnacle of foodservice cooperatives in the USA, has evolved from the merger of nine former buying groups. With a rich history of industry integration, UniPro continues to lead the sector by providing unparalleled support, innovation, and value to its diverse Membership base. Learn more about UniPro at www.uniprofoodservice.com.
About Quad-C:
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, Quad-C is a mid-market private equity firm focused on investing in established specialty distribution, industrials, transportation / logistics, business and consumer services, healthcare, food & beverage, and consumer products companies. In its three-decade history, Quad-C has invested more than $4.4 billion of capital in 83 platform companies. Learn more about Quad-C at www.quadcmanagement.com.
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