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
Sysco Corporation Co-founders
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 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 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.
