U.S. Food Distribution "Highlights from an Expert Call on Food..."

Research evidence excerpt

U.S. Food Distribution "Highlights from an Expert Call on Food..."

Global Research

29 June 2026ab

U.S. Food Distribution Equities

AmericasHighlights from an Expert Call on Food

Distributors Retailers, Broadline

Mark Carden

Analyst

mark.carden@ubs.com

Our take: Shifting consumer behavior requires more flexibility from restaurants +1-212-713 3218

& distributors alike

Michael Lasser

We recently hosted a call with an industry executive with 25+ years of experience across Analyst

large public and private foodservice distributors, as well as more regional specialty michael.lasser@ubs.com

distributors. Our key takeaway was that pressures on the restaurant industry and +1-212-713 2440

shifting consumer behavior are favoring distributors that can be more nimble and Dennis Geiger, CFA

flexible. In his view, the current environment tends to favor more decentralized Analyst

operating models and regional independent operators. These players can leverage their dennis.geiger@ubs.com

strong local relationships and move quickly. Fuel pressures are weighing on the +1-212-713 9313

consumer through soft traffic to restaurants, although ticket is still holding together. He Mathew Rothway

believes independent restaurants are better able to adapt to these industry forces by Analyst

more easily changing menu items and prices. Lastly, the expert provided some insights mathew.rothway@ubs.com

into changing sales force compensation models at the top distributors, plus his view on +1-212-713 5000

the cash & carry channel. Dan Silverstein

Key highlights from the discussion included: daniel.silverstein@ubs.com

A soft food away from home spending environment is favoring +1-212-713 2459

establishments that can adapt. This tends to favor independent restaurants. Sachin Verma