The fateful shift from retail to commercial and noncommercial foodservice, current executives believe, has not only kept the regional broadliner in business but converted the lethargic enterprise into a worthy competitor in its seven-state southeastern marketplace.
| Merchants Foodservice Hattiesburg, MS Year founded: 1904 | |
| President/ceo | Donald B. Suber |
| EVP/coo | Andrew B. Mercier |
| 2003 Sales | $165 million |
| Anticipated 2004 sales | $195 million |
| Territory | AL, MS, LA, AR, FL Panhandle, West TN, West GA |
| No. of Accounts | 5,500 |
| No. of SKUs | 5,000 |
| Future growth target | 15-20% |
| No. of DSRs, ISRs, DSMs | 65 (total) |
| No. of Drivers | 131 |
| Distribution center size | Jackson, MS: 227,000 sq.ft.; Clanton, AL: 100,000 sq.ft. |
| Affiliation | Frosty Acres Brands |