Ben E. Keith Foods announced the purchase of Orrell's Food Service Inc. The acquisition includes all assets of Orrell's Food Service, including the 106,000-square-foot distribution center in Linwood, North Carolina, as well as JEM Foods Inc., a meat processing plant, also located in Linwood.
This acquisition will create the 10th division of Ben E. Keith Foods across 19 states.
"The acquisition of Orrell's allows Ben E. Keith Foods to continue its expansion into North Carolina, serve new and existing customers, and provide additional opportunity for our employees and partners," Mike Sweet, president of Ben E. Keith Foods, said in the announcement. "We are excited to welcome all Orrell Food Service employees into our organization and continue a strong focus on customer service."
Founded in 1954, Orrell's Food Service currently services customers in Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Raleigh/Durham and Charlotte markets as well as southern Virginia. The company was owned and operated by the Orrell family.
"The Orrell family is honored to be a part of the Ben E. Keith Foods strategic market expansion," Tony Orrell, president of Orrell's Food Service, said in the announcement. "As two family-owned businesses, both companies strive to be trusted partners and bring value to our customers and suppliers. The investments in our facilities, and the expansion of our product offerings and resources for our customers, will ensure a future of continued success."
According to the announcement, Ben E. Keith Foods will retain all current employees.
Keith Swan, a 20-year veteran of Ben E. Keith Foods, has been named general manager and relocated from the Ben E. Keith Southeast division to Linwood to assume his role effective immediately. Casey Dorrill, current director of purchasing at the Southeast division, has been named assistant general manager of the Southeast, and she will assume her new duties effective July 1, 2023.
The Linwood distribution division will be renamed Ben E. Keith Foods – Carolina division in the coming months.
Established in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1906, Ben E. Keith Foods is a large broadline foodservice distributor and currently operates with 10 divisions shipping to 19 states throughout the country.
