SYSCO Corporation NYSE: SYY is the largest foodservice distributor in North America. It distributes frozen foods, various canned and dry foods, fresh meats, imported specialties, and fresh produce. The company also supplies various nonfood items, including disposable napkins, plates, and cups; tableware, cookware, restaurant and kitchen equipment, and cleaning supplies.

SYSCO, an acronym for Systems and Services Company, services over 400,000 customers, which include restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes, schools and colleges, hotels and motels, and industrial caterers, as well as regional and national chain restaurants. As of July 2, 2005, the company operated 170 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

SYSCO competes with national distributors U.S. Foodservice and Performance Food Group, as well as regional companies such as Gordon Food Service and Ben E. Keith and local foodservice distributors.

SERCA Foodservices

In 2002, SYSCO purchased SERCA Foodservices and renamed it SYSCO Canada. SERCA had been owned by the supermarket giant Oshawa Group, which was acquired by Sobeys in 1998.