HOUSTON — Global foodservice distribution company Sysco Corporation announced Nov. 12 it will eliminate minimum delivery size requirements for customers’ regularly scheduled delivery days as part of the company’s Restaurants Rising campaign. This change was effective Nov. 16 for all US Broadline, FreshPoint, Buckhead Meat and Newport Meat customers.
Removing minimum delivery requirements is yet another way Sysco is leading the industry in supporting the success of restaurants, providing operators significant added flexibility in managing their business and making it easier to get what they need, when they need it. This change, while applicable to both large and small customers, is especially helpful to independent restaurant operators planning for potential changes in demand and COVID-19 restrictions during the winter months ahead.
“No other distributor is doing more than Sysco to help the restaurant industry succeed,” said Kevin Hourican, Sysco’s president and chief executive officer. “Eliminating minimum delivery requirements is our latest offering to show our customers that Sysco is on a mission to make it easier to do business with us. Combined with our value-added services and world-class sales team, we are helping restaurants – especially smaller, independent businesses -- stay in business, better run their business, and evolve their business to drive increased traffic, now and in a post-pandemic world.”
In addition to the elimination of order minimums, Sysco’s value-added services and strategic partnership discounts are available for current and new customers, including:
- FREE Restaurant Marketing Tools. Restaurants need to promote their business more than ever before. Our team can produce marketing solutions such as banners and posters that can be printed locally.
- DISCOUNTSon solutions andservices customers need right now. Sysco’s partners offer special discounts for important services restaurant operators need, such as delivery, mobile ordering and menu services.
- FREE Sysco Foodie Solutions. Sysco has the expertise to help operators resolve business issues and generate new revenues. Sysco’s Foodie Solutions Toolkits offer a curated collection of the best industry practices, easy-to-use templates and exclusive, chef-tested products.
- EASY Credit Card Payment. This option provides convenience for both existing and new customers.
- FAST Onboarding for new customers. New customers can onboard in less than 24 hours and begin to benefit from the powerful suite of services, tools and solutions Sysco offers.
CFO Transition
On Tuesday, Sysco named Aaron Alt as its executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Dec. 7. Joel Grade, currently EVP and CFO, will assume a newly-created role of EVP, business development. In this capacity, Grade will be responsible for accelerating both organic and inorganic sales growth through new business development, including strengthening future M&A capabilities. Grade's extensive experience in operations and finance make him uniquely qualified for this role as Sysco looks to accelerate its business transformation.
Alt most recently served as chief financial officer and senior vice president of Sally Beauty Holdings, an international specialty retailer and wholesale distributor of professional beauty supplies, and president of Sally Beauty Supply, a 3,000-store retailer of professional beauty supplies in the United States and Canada. He is a proven finance leader with over 20 years of experience and a track record of delivering transformative change and profitable growth.
“I’m pleased to welcome Aaron to our executive leadership team,” said Kevin Hourican, Sysco’s president and chief executive officer. “He brings with him experience overseeing customer-centric businesses, a dynamic and flexible leadership approach as well as a proven ability to drive value creation at large organizations. The addition of Aaron to our executive leadership team will further Sysco’s ability to serve our customers and drive accelerated, profitable growth. I’m also confident that with his depth of expertise in our industry and his strong financial and operations experience, Joel will be instrumental in accelerating our growth and market leadership position in his new role.”
Alt said, “I’m excited to join Sysco and help drive long-term, profitable growth for the Company. Sysco has a strong balance sheet, ample liquidity and a compelling strategy to profitably grow the business through its strategic transformation. I look forward to working with the Sysco team to execute on the Company’s growth objectives.”
Alt’s experience also includes executive leadership roles in finance, operations and grocery transformation at Target Corporation. Prior to joining Target, he held senior-level finance and operations positions with Sara Lee Corporation, including chief financial officer of its North American retail and foodservice businesses. Before that, he was a partner at law firm Kirkland & Ellis in London, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions.
Alt holds an M.B.A. from the J.L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. in History and Political Science from Northwestern University.
