NC/SC Vendor Partners:

Southeastern Paper Group Sells a full line of disposables,

packaging, and chemicals. Also does laundry services. Services
schools, hospitals, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and others.
Founded in 1969, there are 9 distribution centers, 1m total warehouse
square footage space, 120 sales reps, 125 delivery vehicles, and is in
the third generation of ownership. SE Paper services NC, SC, GA, FL,
and TN. In its third generation of ownership with the Miller family.
Management structure includes, VPs, District Managers, Area Manager,
and Sales Rep (4 levels).
SE Paper is part of a larger group called Network Distribution
comprised of independent paper and chemical suppliers. Members also
include ACME Paper, S. Freedman, DadePaper and others. SE Paper
redistributions through subsidiaries.
Their competition is generally broad liners and other paper companies
including Not Just Paper, Brame Specialty Co, CBS Distributing, and PFS
Sales Co.
http://www.sepapergroup.com/
Fords Produce Founded in 1946, business is now four generations
old. Located in Raleigh, NC services primarily the eastern side of the
state. Over 500 SKUs including dairy, pastry, huts, honey, salad
dressing, gloves, straws, foil, plates, and BBQ sauces. Partnership with
Hafner Puff pastries. Has a fresh cut facility branded under Mr.
Fresh!. Regular routes to Raleight, Durham, Chapel Hill, RTP, The
Sandhills, Wilmington, and Eastern NC. Also servies all of NC and
Coastal South Carolina upon special request. 250k refrigerated storage
space; 13 trucks. 50$ order minimum.
Management structure includes VP and Reps. Lynn Ford is the CoOwner.
Proud supporter of The Salvation Army, Ronald McDonald House, Relay
for Life, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, and many more.
http://www.fordsproduce.com/Fords-Produce-Supports-Community.html
Pride of the Morning Originally called Blackburn Egg and servicing
independent breakfast spots and chains, in the early 90s Pride of the
Morning began selling produce with dairy, cheese, canned items, and
some disposables added more recently. Family owned and operated.

Services the Piedmont section of NC (Central NC). Approximately the

size of Bowie Produce with 3-4 sales staff and approximately 12 trucks.
Sourcing locally for eggs and dairy, try to be local for produce but
purchases wholesale from companies like Foster Caviness from time to
time.
Management structure includes VP and Reps, Chad Apple is the
President (3-4 reps).
Foster Caviness Founded in 1902 out of a food stand in Greensboro,
Foster Caviness is the largest independent produce supplier in the
Carolinas. Highly sophisticated operation with over 140 employees
including ____ sales reps and 50+ delivery trucks. Operates both a
local program Friends of Farmers and fresh cut program. Primarily
selling produce but also includes local Salami. One of the founding
members of Pro*Act, a large produce buying group.
Management structure includes VPs and reps (2 levels).
Their competition is the largest produce company in the country,
Freshpoint, which is owned by Sysco. Also, in North Carolina and across
the South generally broadliners are much more likely to deliver
produce than in our current market. Also competes with local players.
CNC Provisions Central North Carolina Provisions (CNC for short) is
a distributor of deli meat including Boars Head. Servicing primarily the
central NC, CNC is focused on service and value add consulting.
Currently servicing most of North Carolina, they currently have one rep
and are looking to expand their sales force.
Management structure includes VP and rep (2 levels).
Main competition is broadliners but have an advantage due to
exclusive Boars Head rights.
Pate Dawson With roots back to 1885, Pate Dawson is a 4th
generation family owned business. Currently the large independent
broadliner in the region, Pate Dawson began as a grocery store. It grew
to a wholesale fruit and vegetable distributor, then added frozen foods,
then dry storage and meat, until finally in 1980 it became a full-line
foodservice distributor. It currently has about 6500 SKUs. Pate Dawson
currently has over 125 delivery trucks and about 50 reps with more to
be hired this year. Huge growth year.

Currently servicing Richmond and south, all of NC, parts of SC

(Greenville, Spartanburg, Charleston, Columbia) but not Virginia Beach,
Myrtle Beach, and pulling out of Atlanta. Biggest competition is US
Foods, Sysco, Reinhart, Gordon Foodservice, E.G. Forrest and PFG-IFH.
Pate Dawson is a large UniPro partner.
Management structure includes VP, District, and Rep (3 levels).
Pate Dawson purchased Southern Foods in 2010 and has been
integrating with their systems ever since. Southern Foods was more
focused on fine dining and gave Pate Dawson the opportunity to
expand beyond southern family style foods to more white tablecloth.
It also gave them the ability to deliver fresh seafood and meats.
Broadliners in the south are more diverse and we may find deliver
more produce, disposables, and seafood than they do in DMV.
http://www.pdco.com/why-partnership/strategic-business-partners

North/South Carolina Supplier Profiles:

Specialty:
A&D Foods - http://adfoods.net/
Asian food supplier servicing most of the Southeastern US. Closest
DMV comparison would be Nishimoto or True World Foods. Sells not
only dry goods but also frozen fish, meat, and sushi grade seafood.
Based in Georgia with plans for rapid expansion in the next several
months.
Big L Food Service - http://www.biglfood.com/
Asian food purveyor serving primarily dry goods and spices. Appears to
do less seafood than what we see True World Food in DMV do. Located
in the middle of NC with unknown distribution area though appears to
be relatively small. Established in 1987.
Concept Food Service - http://www.mycfsd.com/aboutus.html
Ethic food purveyor serving both Lain American and Indian restaurants.
Located in Durham, NC. Appears to have a small salesforce. Selling a
full line of products with a focus on spices, and ethnic needs.
Cornucopia Cheese & Specialty Foods Co.
http://cornucheese.com/about-us/
Established in 1980, grew out of a a grocery store. Grew into
foodservice focusing on white tablecloth restaurants. As more and
more northern transplants began to come south expanded product
list beyond cheese to include meats, Asian and Indian specialty, oils
and spices, and other specialty foods. 1k SKUs. Serving all of NC on a
limited basis. Unclear number of sales reps.
El Ideal Foods - http://www.elideal.net/
Primarily serves Lain American restaurants. Products are specialized for
Hispanic restaurants and use Spanish speaking reps and inside sales
team to leverage deals. No fresh cut produce, meat, or seafood but
strong product line. Unknown sales force and distribution but
headquartered in Raleigh.
Grace Kennedy Group - http://www.gracekennedy.com/index.php/whatwe-do/food-services/distribution
Primarily serves Latin American restaurants. Owns many of the brands
they sell including some disposables. Distributed out of Raleigh but
publicly owned. Unknown sales force.
Han Feng - http://www.hanfenginc.com/company_info.html#hf-about

Serves primarily Chinese takeout and steakhouses with mid-high

quality foods at a low price. Founded in 1997, now has 8000 customers
located in 14 states. Billed as one-stop-shopping for all of its customers, Han
Feng Group intentionally made it difficult for small competitors to enter this
market and to differentiate from US Foods/Sysco. Concentrates on serving
primarily the fast growing Chinese restaurants in the southeastern region of the
United States. The five distribution centers are located in Greensboro, North
Carolina, Ocala, Florida, Atlanta Georgia, Nashville, Tennessee, New Orleans,
Louisiana and Lexington, Missouri. Han Feng Inc. also acquired HD Food Service
in late 2008, a wholesaler operated in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Call
center is in Asia thus giving 24 hour service in native languages.
International Gourmet Foods (IGF) - http://www.igf-inc.com/
Same IGF we are familiar with. Sells specialty items such as cheese
and oils with a distribution center in NC as well as Virginia.
KGI Trading - http://www.kgitrading.com/Default.aspx
One of the largest seafood distributors in the Southeast selling fresh
and frozen seafood primarily to Japanese style restaurants. Rounds out
SKU list with things like Japanese oils, drinks, chopsticks and other
specialty items. One distribution center in NC, one in FL. Heavy into
sushi. One branch in Charlotte, other in Orlando. Fine dining. Most
similar to True World Foods in DMV.
Komolo - http://komoloinc.com/company.htm
Founded in 1998 and serving NC as well as NYC, DC, and PA. Sells
seafood primarily to Japanese restaurants. Smaller distribution outside
of larger cities.
Nishimoto Trading Co. - http://www.ntcltdusa.com/
Same company we are familiar with in DMV. Also has a branch
servicing NC based in Atlanta.
True World Foods - http://www.trueworldfoods.com/
Same company we are familiar with in DMV. Also has a branch
servicing NC based in Atlanta.
Miscellaneous
Two Wall Food Asian specialty
HHS Distributor Asian specialty
Produce :
All Fresh Produce http://www.allfreshproduceco.com/
Servicing primarily central and eastern NC, primary customers are
independent restaurants with mid tier quality ranging from sandwich

places, pizza spots, and bars. Prices appear to be relatively low. In

business for approximately 25 years, balance of quality and low price
seems to be priority. Nearest comparison appears to be Bowie Produce.
Danan Farms - http://dananfarms.com/
Hyper high quality produce focusing solely on quality. Servicing the
triangle and outskirt, Danan uses quality as differentiator and is used
but some of the highest rated restaurant in the region. Unclear number
of sales force but appears to be spread by word of mouth. Established
for 30+ years. Nearest DMV comparison would be Place Vendome.
Freshpoint - http://freshpoint.com/
Largest fresh produce distributor in North America. Subsidiary of Sysco
and the main competitor to Foster Caviness. Sells independently of
Sysco but also due to market difference, broadliners service produce
more regularly. Main distribution center is in Charlotte.
Laytons Produce - http://www.laytonsproduce.com/
Sells fresh produce primarily in the Triangle area including Raleigh,
Durham, Cary, Clayton, Wake Forest, and Oxford. Fairly sophisticated
with growing customer base, prices are generally low and serves lower
to mid end restaurants. No fresh chop facilities. Most similar to Delta
produce.
Melvins Gardens - http://www.ncagr.gov/ncproducts/showsite.asp?
ID=2710
Small herb and plan supplier servicing the Triangle. Most similar to
Earth N Eats in DMV. Small distribution and extremely limited sales
team. Serving high end restaurants.
R & C Produce No Website
Selling primarily into family style restaurants rather than white
tablecloth, small distribution and sales force in Winston-Salem area
with limited distribution to Charlotte and Raleigh. Most similar to the
smaller produce players using smaller van delivery in DMV.
Unique Food Company (UFC) - http://www.uniquefoodcompany.com/
Operating since 1988, UFC is most similar to Baldor-DC delivering high
quality produce and specialty items such as oils, mushrooms, and
spices. Utilized by high end restaurants. Strong distribution in the
Triangle area as well as limited distribution to the outer areas of the
state. Family owned with strong distribution. Gives a 2% discount for
ordering online leading me to believe they have a limited sales force
but strong word of mouth referrals.
Wards Produce - http://wardproduce.com/

Established third generation family owned business in Raleigh it is one

of the oldest locally owned wholesale produce companies in NC.
Services primarily the Triangle with limited distribution outside of that
area. Sells some specialty but heavy in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and
eggs. Unknown sales force but appears to be limited. Services a wide
range of restaurant types from pizza to white tablecloth. Most similar
to a smaller Keany produce.
Miscellaneous
August Produce Unknown but appears to be distributing out of
Highlands NC.
B&B Produce Unknown but appears to distribute out of Benson, NC.
Battleboro Produce Unknown but appears to distribute out of Benson,
NC.
D&R Quality Vegetables Unknown but appears to service out of
Raleigh with a focus on Latin American restaurants
Papasonn Produce Unknown but appears to service out of Raleigh.
Walls Produce Unknown but appears to be a small farm in Raleigh
area
Seafood:
3Fish Inc. - http://www.3fish.com/
Located in western NC and servicing primarily seafood centric and Asia
restaurants. Closest comparison would be Nishimoto or Congressional
from DMV. Small distributor with unknown distribution area. Serving
fresh and frozen seafood with a focus on seafood cakes for non-Asian
and lobster/frozen fish for bars.
Inland Seafood - http://www.inlandseafood.com/
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Inland Seafood is one of the largest
seafood suppliers in the Southeast. Over 1k SKUS of fresh, frozen,
smoked, and specialty items. Also sells poultry, cheese, olives, oils and
other specialty items. Serves 3500 restaurants and 900 retail outlets
but limited sales force. Distribution centers in Charlotte and Atlanta
among others.
W.E. Kellum Seafood - http://kellumseafood.com/aboutus.html
Sells primarily oysters and other shellfish out of southern VA. Services
eastern and central portion of NC. Small sales force and limited
distribution. Most similar to United Shellfish in DMV.
Lowcountry Shellfish http://www.ipswichshellfish.com/index.php/lowcountry-shellfishcompany/

This is part of the United Shellfish group we are familiar with in the
DMV. The Lowcountry branch services the southeast including the
Carolians, Georgia, and North Florida. This is the primary competitor to
Southern Foods (a branch of Pate Dawson). Very large distribution and
is the primary seafood supplier in the region. Serving mid to high end
restaurants with high customer satisfaction scores.
Miscellaneous:
Atlantic Seafood Unknown but appears to service out of Hamstead NC
Carolina Classics Catfish Unknown but appears to be limited in both
sales reps and distribution serving out of Ayden, NC.
Locals Seafood Unknown but appears to be limited in both sales reps
and distribution serving out of Raleigh.
Meats:
Buckhead Beef - http://www.buckheadbeef.com/home
Located in Georgia this vendor focuses on fresh cut beef and seafood.
Closest DMV comparison would be Metropolian Seafood and Poultry.
Established in 1983, it grew after receiving the bid for the 1996
Olympic bid. The company was purchases by Sysco in 1999.
Specializing in center of the plate, the company distribute the best
possible product at the best possible price. Serves from FL to NC.
Super sophisticated supplier. One of the largest suppliers in the
country. Serves mid to high end restaurants.
Carolina Packers - http://carolinapackers.com/
Servicing mainly delis, this appears the be the main competition for
CNC Provisions. Serves the Carolinas. Founded in 1941, focus is on deli
meats including sausages and hot dogs.
Cliffs Meat Market - http://www.cliffsmeat.qpg.com/
Servicing mainly delis, company was founded 26 years ago with a
focus on deli meats as well as some specialty including alligator, bison,
rattle snake, and venison. Unknown if specialty cut available but based
off restaurant data available, appears to serve primarily sandwich
shops.
Firsthand Foods - http://firsthandfoods.com/#
Serves pasture-raised livestock without antibiotics and raised
humanely. Serving high quality meats and sausages to burger
restaurants and sausages. Serves high end restaurants in North
Carolina. Small or non-existent sales force. Most similar to Mangers in
DMV.

Halperns Steak & Seafood - http://halperns.com/

Same vendor we are familiar with in DMV, more likely to show up in NC
than DMV because it is a subsidiary of Gordon Foodservice which is
more prominent in the Southeast. Halperns sells both fresh cut meat
and seafood and is most similar to Metropolitan Meat Seafood and
Poultry.
Legendary Meats http://www.legendarymeats.com/index.html
Legendary Meats has growth his distribution network to support our
customers in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North and South Carolina,
Ohio, Kentucky and North Florida. Does beef, poultry, and pork but not
seafood. Most similar to Fells Point.
Moss Foods - http://www.mossfoodsinc.com/index.htm
Think of it as Restaurant Depot for meat. Does not do delivery but
services mostly Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Appears to be used
by low to mid tier restaurants.
Prestige Farms - http://www.prestigefarms.com/about.html
Headquartered in Charlotte NC with branches around the Southeast,
Prestige services primarily BBQ restaurants and those focused on
chicken. Very similar to Spectrum Foods in DMV but with extremely
limited broadline offerings.
Shuler Meats - http://www.shulermeatsweb.com/
Large chicken, beef, and pork distribution with very limited broadline
offerings. Nearly a vendor partner in NC but does not have boots on
the ground sales reps. Word of mouth sales with strong distribution
channels through the southeast. Selling primarily into BBQ locations
and with some white table cloth.
Disposables:
CBS Distributing - http://www.cbsdistributing.com/index.shtml
Whole distributor of foodservice disposables, paper, plastic, foam and
bar suppliers. Founded in 1977 with a focus on nightclubs, recently
expanded to restaurants, hospitals, schools, and country clubs. Most
similar to ACME Paper. Located in Charlotte servicing all of the
Carolinas. 50$ minimum drop.
Dadepaper - http://www.dadepaper.com/
Branch of the same Dadepaper found in DMV. Servicing primarily
restaurants but also hospitals, schools, and country clubs. Part of
Network Services similar to SE Paper. Looks to be the number 2 players
in the region.

North Carolina Paper Company - http://www.ncpaperco.com/

Located in the Clayton and Goldsboro NC area, sells primarily paper
products with limited chemical sales. Also sells eggs. Unclear sales
force and distribution. Appears to be carry out only.
Not Just Paper - http://www.brameco.com/notjustpaper.htm
A branch of Brame Specialty, Not Just Paper is located in Durham NC
and does not appear to have a large sales force or distribution
network. It likely does carry out products. No specific to restaurants
but does custom printing.
PFS Sales Co. - http://www.pfssales.com/
Family owned business since 1988 servicing primarily independent
restaurants. Major competitor to SE Paper. Sells disposables, paper,
plastic, and chemicals throughout NC. Limited distribution in SC but
heavily concentrated in Triangle. Does specialty printing but not
laundry services. Mixed reviews from customers most similar to Adams
Burch.
Swisher - http://www.swsh.com/about-us/
Known as Swisher Hygiene, sells soap, mats, and some disposables.
Mainly kitchen supplies about also sells some disposables. Consider it a
combo of HM Wagner services and ALSCO.
Broadliner:
Adams Wholesale - http://adamswholesalecompany.com/
Cash and carry primarily servicing convenience stores and restaurants.
No distribution or sales force on the ground. No fresh cut meats or
seafood and sells no produce. Similar to Costco. Very low prices.
E.G. Forrest Foodservice http://egforrest.com/
Very large regional broadliner once focused on chain business but after
losing a large contract moved more towards independent restaurants.
Currently in growth mode to make inroads into independent space.
Currently 17 sales reps, 4th generation, founded in 1920. Nearly
vendor partner but rejected partnership. Servicing most of NC as well
as parts of SC. Sells everything but fresh seafood and fresh cut meat.
Biggest competitors are US Foods, Sysco, PFG, Gordon, and Pate
Dawson. Working on value added services as well but strong
background in produce.
Ferraro Foods - http://www.ferrarofoods.com/
Same distributor we are familiar with in the DMV. Know primarily for
Italian foods and cheeses. Slightly different product line in NC but has

the same qualities: large drop sizes and limited sales force but equates
to low costs. Two distribution centers in NC in Greenboro and Charlotte.
Gordon Food Service - https://www.gfs.com/en/gfsstore/locator
Large broadliner servicing most of the east coast. Focus on chain
operations but also services some independent chains. One distribution
center in Greenville, South Carolina serving NC, SC, and GA. Unknown
salesforce but strong distribution chain focusing on larger drop sizes.
Independence Wholesale Food No Website
Similar to Jetro or Restaurant Depot without produce. This is a cash and
carry with limited delivery. Serves primarily c-stores but also sells
candy, disposables, and other non major food stuffs.
Orrells Food Service - http://www.orrellsfoodservice.com/
Smaller broadliner we were in initial discussion with to be a vendor
partner. Established in 1954 it is a full broadliner located in Linwood
NC. No fresh cut meat or seafood. Distributes primarily in the Triangle
to low to mid end restaurants including burger shacks and BBQ joints.
Primary competitor to Pate Dawson for these type of accounts.
Respectable sales force and distribution.
PFG-IFH-Roma - http://www.performancefoodservice.com/IFHHickory/?
set=true
PFG in the Southeast is known both as PFG and IFH. PFG acquired
Institution Food House in 2012 and uses IFH to service the western side
of the state while PFG services out of Charlotte towards the eastern
Carolinas. Very similar to what we see in DMV, large corporate
salesforce with strong distribution to both street accounts and smaller
chains.
Reinhart Direct - http://rfsdelivers.com/
Heavily servicing single locations and regional multi-unit operations.
Full broadliner much like US Foods or Sysco including produce, dry
goods, meats, and disposables. More similar to US Foods or Sysco and
PFG because they push their own in house brands more than national
brands. Distribution centers in VA and GA servicing the Southeast.
Large sales force and distribution network with a focus on mid sized
groups.
Southern Foods (Pate Dawson) - http://www.southernfoods.com/
Southern Foods was purchased by Pate Dawson. Think of it as the
Chefs Warehouse arm of Pate Dawson. One of the good guys.
Sysco - http://www.sysco.com/contact-us.html

Same entity we deal with in DMV. Presence in the Southeast is strong

and bolstered by the headquarters of Freshpoint giving Sysco the
advantage of produce distribution. Again, broadliners in the Carolinas
service more produce and disposables than we are familiar with in
DMV. Distribution center in Charlotte.
US Foods http://www.usfoods.com/about-us/contactus/USFLocations/raleigh.html/
Same entity we deal with in DMV. Very strong in the Southeast with
distribution out of Raleigh and Charlotte. Heavy sales rep presence in
the region with exceptional distribution given warehouse coverage.
According to NPS scores US Foods has strongly locked up the mid-tier
restaurants with major coverage in smaller and white table cloth
restaurants.