Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.-based Legacy Food Group acquired broadline distributor Halsey Foodservice, including its Southern Star Seafood brand.
Madison, Alabama, U.S.A.-based Halsey will become Legacy’s fifth operating division alongside Keck's Food Service, M&V Provisions Co., Thomsen Foodservice, and Best Mexican Foods. Legacy did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction.
Founded in 1879, fourth-generation family-owned Halsey’s distributes meat, seafood, produce, and other items to independent restaurants and retail foodservice operators throughout the U.S. states of Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi.
“We are thrilled to have Halsey Foodservice as part of the Legacy Food Group family. Cecilia Halsey and her staff have done a tremendous job in continuing her family’s rich tradition while elevating Halsey into a premier source for the highest-quality food products in the Southeast region,” Legacy CEO Steve Push said.
Halsey President and CEO Cecilia Halsey, Halsey COO and Senior Executive President Terry Giles, and Halsey General Sales Manager Joe Spearman will remain in their current leadership roles, Push said. As part of the transaction, Halsey, Giles, and Spearman will invest “meaningful dollars in an equity position” in Legacy Food Group, the company said.
“Joining Legacy Food Group instantly provides us with the support to expand our business and spur new sales growth,” Giles said. “It’s a win-win for us; we get to keep the operating autonomy that resonates so strongly with our customer base while enjoying the benefits that come from group collaboration.”
Halsey has undergone significant expansion to accommodate business growth, according to Legacy, including the construction of a 260,000-square-foot distribution center with a meat-processing center, along with a commercially equipped test kitchen. Halsey’s exclusive brands include Southern Star Seafood; Diamond Star, which includes custom cut steaks, beef, pork, and poultry items along with a USDA-approved Aged Beef Program; Red Rhino Premium Pizza; Doodle Do's Awesome Chicken; and Chili Peppers Mexican Food.
Push said Halsey is the “perfect partner” for Legacy to enter the growing Southeast foodservice region.
“Halsey brings more than 140 years of rich history and family legacy, high-quality staff and sales team, and strong exclusive brands and service concepts that resonate with operators," he said.
As an operating division of Legacy, Halsey will gain access to enhanced supplier relationships, consolidated purchasing benefits, coordinated sales and marketing support, and other resources, Legacy said.
