CHICAGO, October 13, 2025 — As US Foods and Performance Food Group assess the benefits of merging, smaller distributors continue to expand their reach and purchasing power through acquisitions.
On Friday, the multi-regional distributor What Chefs Want (WCW) said it has agreed to buy vegetable and dairy-products provider Premier Produce. The agreed-upon price and other details of the deal were not disclosed.
The deal will provide WCW with a strong presence in the South and Southeast, according to the announcement of the deal.
“Together, we’ll be able to provide even greater access to the freshest ingredients, supported by the technology, logistics, and high-touch service that both companies are known for,” said WCW CEO and founder Ron Turnier.
Premier is based in Florida and has known for the exceptional depth of its relations with growers in the area, according to the deal announcement.
Founded in 1904 as a supplier of ice and vegetables kept in cold storage prior to shipment—still a relative novelty at the time—WCW has been on an acquisitions tear in recent years. Since 2010, the company has purchased 22 regional or specialty distributors and suppliers.
It changed its name from Garden Creation to What Chefs Want in 2018. The distributor has focused on serving independent and chain restaurants.
The company says it differs from most distributors in offering same-day delivery and no sales threshold for new customers to meet.
Premier Produce supplies fresh produce to chef-driven restaurants and institutions. It claims to serve 3,100 foodservice customers.
The deal is expected to close before December.
The acquisition was announced as the distribution community awaits the outcome of closed-door meetings between US Foods and Performance Food Group (PFG). In August, US Foods, the industry’s second-largest distributor, confirmed that it had approached PFG, the Number 3 player, about a possible merger. It acknowledged that it ws rebuffed.
Weeks later, PFG revealed that a shareholder was pushing the company to meet US Foods. A “clean team” of third-party advisors was formed to analyze the benefits and detriments of forming what would be the industry’s largest foodservice distributor.
The results to date of that endeavor have not been revealed.
As Managing Editor for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, Romeo is responsible for generating the group's news and feature content. He brings more than 40 years of experience in covering restaurants to the position.