Fort Worth, Texas-headquartered Ben E. Keith Foods has bought Orrell’s Food Service, Inc., which will operate as its tenth division across 19 states. The deal includes all assets of the Linwood, North Carolina-based company, including a 106,000-square-foot distribution center and its JEM Foods meat processing plant.
“The acquisition allows us to continue our expansion into North Carolina, serve new and existing customers, and provide additional opportunity for our employees and partners. We are excited to welcome all Orrell’s Food Service employees into our organization and continue a strong focus on customer service,” said Mike Sweet, president of Ben E. Keith Foods, which ranks as the USA’s fifth largest broad line foodservice distributor.
Founded in 1954, Orrell’s serves customers in Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Raleigh/Durham and Charlotte markets as well as southern Virginia. The Linwood distribution division will be renamed Ben E. Keith Foods – Carolina Division in the coming months.
“Our family is honored to be a part of the Ben E. Keith Foods strategic market expansion,” said Tony Orrell (picture above), president of Orrell’s Food Service. “As two family-owned businesses, both companies strive to be trusted partners and bring value to our customers and suppliers.”
All current employees are being retained. Keith Swan, a 20-year veteran of Ben E. Keith Foods, has been named general manager and has relocated from the Southeast Division to Linwood to assume his role. Casey Dorrill, current director of purchasing at the Southeast Division, has been named assistant general manager of the Southeast and will assume her new duties effective July 1, 2023.
