Halsey Foodservice partnership with Legacy Food Group ‘the perfect opportunity’

MADISON — A Huntsville legacy business since the 1800s, Halsey Foodservice has joined Legacy Food Group, a Virginia-based holding company aimed at acquiring and partnering with quality regional independent distributors.

Halsey, a fourth-generation, family-owned broadline distributor, was founded in 1879 and will be Legacy’s fifth operating division.

“We couldn’t be more excited to join Legacy Food Group,” said President and CEO Cecilia Halsey. “This partnership offered the perfect opportunity to sustain the independence that has made us special for over 140 years while providing access to improved resources and capital that will help drive our business forward.”

As an operating division of LFG. Halsey will gain access to enhanced supplier relationships, consolidated purchasing benefits, coordinated sales and marketing support, and other resources that will help enhance the company’s regional success.

Terry Giles, COO and senior executive vice president of Halsey, called joining Legacy a “win-win.”

“Joining Legacy Food Group instantly provides us with the support to expand our business and spur new sales growth,” said Giles. “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.”

Under the agreement, all management and employees at Halsey will remain employed and the distributor will be allowed to keep its name.

Legacy CEO Steve Push said his company is “thrilled” to work with Halsey and called them the perfect partner to facilitate expansion into the Southeast.

“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.” he said. “And we’re especially excited that Cecilia, Terry, and General Sales Manager Joe Spearman will remain in their current leadership roles.

“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. We will continue our strategic plan to bring together independent foodservice distributors interested in the dynamic growth that comes from group collaboration, benefits of scale, and shared resources.”

Halsey services the Rocket City Trash Pandas, independent restaurants, including the Mexican and BBQ segments, C-stores, and other food service operations throughout Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi.

“The addition of Halsey Foodservice is a big step for us. It expands our geographic footprint into the Southeast region, which is an area with an emerging independent restaurant scene,” said Legacy President John Miller. “We will continue to seek future partnerships that grow our presence in the region.”