ROSEMONT, IL (September 20, 2011)—Leading McDonald’s distributor The Martin-Brower Company LLC has signed a letter of intent with Marfrig Alimentos S.A. to acquire its Keystone Foods’ fast-food distribution and logistics businesses in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Headquartered in Sao Paolo, Marfrig is Brazil’s third-largest meat processing company. The $400-million deal includes 33 distribution centers in four regions. It is expected to close before the end of the year.
According to a Financial Times report, Marfrig bought Keystone Foods for $1.26 billion last year in a transaction it said at the time gave it access to the supply chains of McDonald’s as well as Campbell’s, Subway, ConAgra, Yum Brands and Chipotle Mexican Grill. That deal followed the purchase in 2009 of U.S. chicken producers Pilgrim’s Pride by Marfrig’s Brazilian rival, JBS, the world’s largest beef processor.
Serving McDonald's since 1956, distribution is Martin-Brower’s core competency. The company is currently McDonald's largest distributor in the United States, Canada, Ireland and Latin America. Integrating Keystone Foods’ distribution business ensures consistent service and brand stewardship for McDonald’s global operations, according to the company’s announcement.
Martin-Brower is a division of Reyes Holdings LLC, which is also parent company to No. 5 U.S. broadline distributor Reinhart FoodService.
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