Q4 2024 Broadliner Report

A significant portion of foodservice case volume relies on the warehouses and transportation provided by broadline distributors. In this report, IFMA dives into the quarterly reports published by the three largest broadline foodservice distributors: Sysco, US Foods, and Performance Food Group, for October, November and December 2024.

Technomic also provides insight from a recent Distributor survey.

Takeaways:

• Distributors believe labor issues, profitability, increased regulations, and product shortages are among the top concerns of independent operators. If you have a client looking for content or messaging ideas (and has credibility beyond their specific product categories), solutions in these areas could resonate with both distributors and foodservice operators.
• Independent operators are diversifying their sources for products, mostly driven by availability concerns. This trend towards broader sourcing could/should influence what channels manufacturers focus on.
• There is a clear delineation between independents, who are focused on support local, better ingredients, and unique experiences…and chains, which are focused on convenience, affordability, and brand trust. Consider whether it makes sense to craft distinct marketing strategies based on the priorities/positioning of each segment.