McLane Unveils Innovation Kitchen at Texas Headquarters
McLane Company Inc., one of the nation’s largest distributors and an industry-leading partner to retail and restaurant brands nationwide, recently held the grand opening of its Innovation Kitchen at the company’s headquarters in Temple, Texas.
Designed for customers as a full-scale replica of the complete c-store experience, this state-of-the-art space showcases how cutting-edge retail foodservice equipment and products seamlessly fit into various footprints and counter spaces while exploring the world of McLane Fresh, Emerging Brands and CVP private label brands. From visualizing how a range of products and equipment integrates into their store layout and planograms to sampling products and exploring marketing materials, customers will gain valuable insight into how McLane’s offerings can elevate their retail product mix and boost customer experience.
Beyond the showcase experience, the space will serve as a dedicated hub for development and innovation, allowing the McLane Fresh team to conceptualize and test new menu items that cater to evolving consumer trends and customer requests. Customers will be invited to sample these creations, ensuring that McLane remains at the forefront of product innovation and collaboration and delivers data-informed solutions tailored to their needs.
“We are excited to unveil the McLane Innovation Kitchen, a space that embodies our dedication to innovation, collaboration and a world-class customer experience,” said Vito Maurici, McLane customer experience officer. “This facility showcases our commitment to setting new standards for excellence in the industry and underscores our role as a trusted partner in our customers’ success. Through this platform for product testing, creation and display, we have the opportunity to engage with customers at every stage of their retail foodservice journey.”
The Innovation Kitchen provides something to satisfy every craving, with offerings including Cupza!, McLane’s award-winning beverage line, Central Eats grab-and-go products for every daypart, Prendisimo pizza and made-to-order options.
McLane offers customizable solutions for retail and restaurant customers, from ordering and fulfillment to equipment and in-store merchandising, aimed at eliminating barriers to entry for smaller retailers and solving logistical challenges for large chains. More information on convenience store solutions from McLane is available at mclaneco.com/cstore-solutions. To learn more about McLane and its retail, restaurant and e-commerce solutions, visit mclaneco.com.
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Performance Food Group Promotes McPherson, C-Suite Execs
Performance Food Group Company‘s board of directors has approved the promotion of Scott McPherson to executive vice president & chief field operations officer, effective Jan. 1.
McPherson will add the responsibility of leading PFG’s Foodservice business segment, in addition to his current responsibilities overseeing PFG’s Vistar and Convenience businesses. He will also provide strategic oversight to line operations across PFG’s distribution businesses. McPherson will continue to report to Craig Hoskins, PFG’s president & COO.
During his 30-year career, McPherson has held numerous leadership positions with Core-Mark including senior vice president roles for the company’s U.S. Division, Corporate Development, COO, and president and chief executive officer. Most recently, he was promoted to PFG executive vice president and President & CEO of PFG’s Convenience business providing leadership and direction to both Core-Mark and Vistar.
“We are pleased to have such strong leadership across PFG’s family of companies to support our continued growth and provide outstanding products and services to our customers every day,” said George Holm, chairman & CEO. “We will continue to develop ways to grow our company by leveraging the collective strengths of our Foodservice, Convenience and Vistar businesses with a growth-oriented and customer-focused culture.”
With McPherson’s change, Chris Hobson will be promoted to president & CEO, Convenience. Hobson began his career at Core-Mark as a General Sales Manager and held other positions during his more than 20-year tenure including division president, vice president, marketing, senior vice president, and most recently as president & COO. In his expanded role, he will continue to oversee performance, enterprise growth and Marketing/Purchasing/Merchandising, while adding the responsibilities of Finance, Human Resources and IT. Hobson will continue to report to McPherson.
Additionally, Sean Mahoney will be promoted to president & CEO, Vistar, where he will continue to lead the day-to-day operations of the business segment. He joined Vistar in 2014 as channel vice president and has progressed through several leadership roles including Multichannel vice president and senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. Mahoney most recently served as president & COO of Vistar. Mahoney will also continue to report to McPherson.
“These changes support both the continued development for these remarkable leaders today, and into the future,” said Hoskins. “We’ve added so much talent to our organization over the last few years through strategic acquisitions, and we are also fortunate to have so many outstanding associates in our legacy businesses to help lead our company.”
Performance Food Group is an industry leader and one of the largest food and foodservice distribution companies in North America with more than 150 locations in North America. Founded and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, PFG, and our family of companies, market and deliver quality food and related products to 300,000+ locations including independent and chain restaurants; businesses, schools and healthcare facilities; vending and office coffee service distributors; and big box retailers, theaters and convenience stores.
PFG’s success as a Fortune 100 company is achieved through our more than 35,000 dedicated associates committed to building strong relationships with the valued customers, suppliers and communities we serve. To learn more about PFG, visit pfgc.com.
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US Foods, Associates Donate $12M+ for Hunger-Relief Efforts
US Foods Holding Corp., one of America’s largest foodservice distributors, and its associates have donated more than $12 million in food, supplies and monetary contributions to address hunger-relief efforts across the country throughout 2023, the equivalent of approximately 5 million meals or approximately 225 truckloads of product, through its corporate hunger-relief campaigns.
“As a leading foodservice distributor, US Foods is in the unique position to harness the power of food to deliver a meaningful impact,” says Dave Flitman, CEO. “We believe in giving back to the communities where we live and work, and we are grateful to our associates who participated in a variety of our philanthropic activities throughout the year. Moving into 2024, we are excited to continue this important work through increased investments with hunger-relief organizations.”
US Foods served communities experiencing food insecurity with product donations to longstanding partner, Feeding America. In 2023, the company donated more than $12 million in food and supplies to more than 50 Feeding America network food banks across the country. Since 2007 the company has donated more than $170 million in food and supplies to Feeding America network food banks for hunger-relief efforts.
In addition, throughout 2023, the company demonstrated an unwavering commitment to community hunger-relief efforts through a variety of associate giving and volunteer initiatives. Highlights included a week-long “Spring into Service” program in which associates participated in various company-sponsored community service events, a companywide food drive for Hunger Action Month, and a month-long “Giving Gratitude” campaign dedicated to providing food to underserved communities during the holidays. Participation in these activities generated donations totaling $100,000 to support food banks and other hunger relief organizations supported by the company.
Additionally, this holiday season, US Foods is teaming up with new customers to support Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit that provides emergency assistance for food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources, through “Giving Back with US Foods.” For every new customer, US Foods will make a donation to Giving Kitchen, up to $100,000 through Dec. 30.
As part of the company’s overarching corporate giving commitments, US Foods also sustained its dedication to delivering a meaningful impact with its American Red Cross disaster relief partnership and US Foods Scholars Program. In 2023, the company donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross to support Hurricane Idalia relief efforts. The donation covered a range of emergency services, including the distribution of hot meals and comfort kits, the opening of shelters and the deployment of emergency response vehicles.
The company also awarded $360,000 in scholarships to students across the country pursuing degrees in culinary arts, baking and pastry, chef training and business management through its US Foods Scholars program. Since its launch, the program has awarded more than $1.7 million in scholarships to nearly 90 students to make a meaningful contribution to the restaurant and hospitality industry talent pipeline.
To learn more about US Foods its corporate giving initiatives, visit the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Report at usfoods.com/csr.
With a promise to help its customers Make It, US Foods is one of America’s great food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With 70 broadline locations and more than 85 cash and carry stores, US Foods and its 29,000 associates provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill. Visit www.usfoods.com to learn more.
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