Five Star Food Service acquires Gulf Coast Canteen, expanding into Mobile and Pensacola
Source Five Star Food Service
Five Star Food Service, the nation's largest Canteen franchise, today announced its acquisition of Gulf Coast Canteen, a Mobile, AL-based vending operation. The acquisition expands Five Star's service territory further into Alabama and marks its entry into Florida. It adds two branches in Mobile and Pensacola, FL. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“We are honored by the opportunity to establish ourselves in the Mobile and Pensacola markets through this strategic acquisition," said Five Star president and chief executive Richard Kennedy. "Gulf Coast Canteen has great people. We are excited to merge our company cultures and provide top-tier service to the area.”
Gulf Coast Canteen was founded in 1961 as Central Vending and merged with Mobile Vending in 1999, eventually becoming a Canteen franchise in 2001. Owner Greg Breland took over the family business in 2005. The company’s Ocean Springs, MS, operation will be acquired by New Orleans-based Refreshments Solutions.
Gulf Coast Canteen is Five Star's 19th acquisition, according to the company. It is also the company's sixth territory expansion in four years.
“We are excited about the entry into two new geographic markets and the opportunities we have ahead of us to develop the existing base business, add new on top and grow profitably,” commented Five Star chief revenue officer Gregory McCall.
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, Five Star Food Service is a premier away-from-home food and beverage retail solutions provider for employers and other commercial, institutional and educational locations. The company operates micro markets, full-line vending, pantry, coffee and water services, full-service dining, catering, fresh food production, coffee roasting, secured delivery, and sustainable products serving nine states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. It is the largest franchise of Canteen, a Compass Group company.
