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Sysco Marketcap, Revenue, Net Worth, Competitors 2026

Sysco Corp. logo

Sysco Corp. logo

Key Stats

  • Founded: 1969 in Houston, Texas
  • Fiscal Year 2025 Revenue: $81.37 billion
  • Employees: 76,000 (2025)
  • Market Cap: Approximately $35 billion (January 2026)
  • Fortune 500 Rank: #54 (2024)

Sysco Corporation is the largest foodservice distributor in North America and the world. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company sells and distributes food products and related supplies to restaurants, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, hotels, and other foodservice operations.

The company operates 340 distribution centers across 10 countries and serves approximately 730,000 customer locations. Sysco distributes frozen foods, fresh meats, produce, dairy products, beverages, and non-food items including tableware, kitchen equipment, and cleaning supplies. Major restaurant chains like McDonald’s and independent restaurants alike rely on foodservice distributors for their supply needs.

Sysco Corporation History

1969
John Baugh convinced owners of eight regional food distributors to merge with his Zero Foods Company, forming Sysco (Systems and Services Company) with combined sales of $115 million.
1970
Sysco held its initial public offering on March 3 and made its first acquisition, purchasing Arrow Foods Distributor.
1979
Annual sales exceeded $1 billion for the first time, establishing Sysco as a major force in food distribution.
1981
Sysco became the largest foodservice distribution company in the United States. The company moved from the American Stock Exchange to the New York Stock Exchange.
1988
Sysco acquired CFS Continental for $750 million, then the third-largest food distributor in the country. This added 4,500 employees and expanded service to 148 of the top 150 U.S. markets.
2002
The company entered the Canadian market by acquiring SERCA Foodservices for $278 million.
2009
Sysco made its first acquisition outside North America, purchasing Irish food distributor Pallas Foods.
2016
Sysco completed the $3.1 billion acquisition of Brakes Group, expanding its European presence across the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden.
2023
Sysco acquired Edward Don and Company for $965 million, adding foodservice equipment and supplies to its distribution network.

Sysco Corporation Co-founders

John F. Baugh
Owner of Zero Foods Company in Houston. Baugh conceived the idea of a national foodservice distribution network and convinced eight other distributors to merge in 1969. He served as CEO and Chairman.
Herbert Irving
One of the co-founders who joined Baugh’s vision to create a unified national food distribution company capable of serving customers across the United States.
Harry Rosenthal
Partnered with Baugh and Irving to establish Sysco. The three founders led the merger of nine regional distributors that formed the company’s foundation.

Sysco Corporation Competitors

Sysco competes in the foodservice distribution market with several national and regional companies. The U.S. foodservice distribution market remains fragmented, with Sysco holding approximately 17 percent market share. Similar to how Costco Wholesale dominates warehouse retail, Sysco leads its industry through scale and distribution reach.

Company Headquarters Type
US Foods Rosemont, Illinois Broadline Distributor
Performance Food Group Richmond, Virginia Broadline Distributor
Gordon Food Service Grand Rapids, Michigan Broadline Distributor
McLane Company Temple, Texas Convenience/Restaurant
Dot Foods Mt. Sterling, Illinois Redistribution
Ben E. Keith Foods Fort Worth, Texas Regional Broadline
KeHE Distributors Naperville, Illinois Natural/Specialty
Reyes Holdings Rosemont, Illinois Food/Beverage Distribution
Shamrock Foods Phoenix, Arizona Regional Broadline
United Natural Foods Providence, Rhode Island Natural/Organic

Sysco Corporation Revenue

Sysco generates revenue by distributing food and non-food products to foodservice customers. The company recovered strongly from the pandemic downturn and has posted consistent growth. Fresh and frozen meats represent the largest product segment.

Sysco Corporation Annual Revenue (Fiscal Years 2016-2025, in Billions USD)
$50.4
2016
$55.4
2017
$58.7
2018
$60.1
2019
$52.9
2020
$51.3
2021
$68.6
2022
$76.3
2023
$78.8
2024
$81.4
2025

Sysco Corporation Market Cap

Sysco trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SYY. The company’s market capitalization fluctuates with stock price movements and has ranged between $25 billion and $42 billion over the past decade.

Sysco Corporation Market Cap (Year-End, in Billions USD)
$24
2016
$28
2017
$36
2018
$40
2019
$33
2020
$40
2021
$37
2022
$37
2023
$42
2024
$35
2025

Sysco Corporation Acquisitions

Sysco built its market position through decades of acquisitions. The company followed a strategy of purchasing regional distributors to expand geographic coverage and customer base. This approach transformed Sysco from a regional operator into a global foodservice distribution network.

The company acquired 25 small food distributors between 1970 and 1980, establishing operations in markets across the United States. Sysco expanded its trucking fleet and built refrigerated warehouses to support this growth. By 1979, annual sales exceeded $1 billion.

The 1988 acquisition of CFS Continental for $750 million was the largest deal in company history at that time. This purchase added 4,500 employees and expanded Sysco’s reach to 148 of the top 150 U.S. markets. The company also acquired PYA Monarch operations in 1984 and continued purchasing smaller regional distributors throughout the decade.

International expansion began in 2002 when Sysco acquired SERCA Foodservices in Canada for $278 million. The company entered the Irish market in 2009 by purchasing Pallas Foods. Sysco attempted to acquire US Foods in 2013 for $3.5 billion, but a federal judge blocked the merger in 2015 over competition concerns.

Following the failed US Foods deal, Sysco purchased Brakes Group in 2016 for $3.1 billion. This acquisition brought operations in the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden into the Sysco network. Brakes served approximately 50,000 foodservice customers at the time of purchase. More recently, Sysco acquired Greco and Sons in 2021 and Edward Don and Company in 2023 for $965 million. The Edward Don deal added foodservice equipment and supplies distribution, similar to how The Home Depot expanded through strategic purchases in the home improvement sector.

FAQs

When was Sysco Corporation founded?

Sysco Corporation was founded in 1969 in Houston, Texas. John Baugh merged his Zero Foods Company with eight other regional food distributors to create the company.

What does Sysco stand for?

Sysco stands for Systems and Services Company. The name reflects the founders’ vision of creating a unified national food distribution system.

Who is Sysco’s biggest competitor?

US Foods is Sysco’s largest direct competitor. Other major rivals include Performance Food Group and Gordon Food Service in the broadline distribution market.

How many distribution centers does Sysco operate?

Sysco operates 340 distribution centers across 10 countries. These facilities serve approximately 730,000 customer locations including restaurants and healthcare facilities.

Is Sysco publicly traded?

Yes, Sysco trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SYY. The company held its initial public offering on March 3, 1970.

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