October 2011 News

Aramark will acquire Filterfresh for $145 million

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (GMCR), announced a definitive stock purchase agreement pursuant to which Aramark Refreshment Services, LLC, a provider of office coffee and refreshment services, will acquire all outstanding shares of Van Houtte USA Holdings, Inc., also known as the Van Houtte U.S. Coffee Service business or Filterfresh business from GMCR, for an aggregate cash purchase price of approximately $145 million. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based on Filterfresh’s working capital and indebtedness as of immediately prior to the transaction’s closing.

On Dec. 17, 2010, GMCR acquired Van Houtte through the purchase of all of the outstanding capital stock of LJVH Holdings, Inc. At the time of the acquisition, GMCR announced it would pursue a sale of a portion of the former Van Houtte business, namely Van Houtte’s U.S. coffee service business, also known as Filterfresh. GMCR has accounted for all the assets and liabilities relating to the Filterfresh business as held-for-sale in its most recent financial statements.

Brinton becomes main owner of Avanti, former partners form Breakroom Provisions

Jim Brinton has purchased a majority ownership position in Avanti Markets from former partners Kevin Bailey and Aaron Speagle, who have launched a new self-checkout market product under the name, Breakroom Provisions Co. Brinton is now CEO of Avanti Markets, working from Seattle, Wash. Bailey said he and Speagle saw a need for a new self-checkout system geared toward foodservice management companies and larger vending operators. He said the company is based in Conover, N.C. and has begun shipping units to customers.

Dr Pepper Snapple seeks bigger stake in Hydrive energy drink

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. will try to buy up to 40 percent of Hydrive Energy LLC, based in Rye, N.Y., giving it a larger stake in the fast-growing energy drink category, according to The Dallas Morning News in Dallas, Texas.

Apriva LLC moves to bigger headquarters facility

Apriva LLC, provider of end-to-end wireless transactions and secure information solutions, moved its corporate headquarters to a larger facility in Scottsdale, Ariz. The new address features over 50,000 square feet of space to accommodate the approximately 160 employees that work out of Apriva’s headquarters, representing an increase of some 20,000 square feet over its previous location.

Vistar Corp. buys Vend Service Inc. in the Southeast

Vistar Corp., a division of Performance Food Group, has acquired Vend Service Inc., a Rome, Ga.-based vend product distributor with a distribution facility in Ocala, Fla., for an undisclosed sum, according to Mike Sidwell, president of Vend Service. The company was founded in 1965 by Sidwell’s father, Carl Sidwell.

Sidwell said he and his brother Mark, vice president, will continue to work for Vistar in some capacity, while their sister, Diane, secretary/treasurer, will leave the company. He said the Rome, Ga. facility will merge with Vistar’s Suwanee, Ga. facility while the Ocala, Fla. facility will merge with Vistar’s Kissimmee, Fla. facility.

Vend Service was part of the Vend Channel, a coalition of five independent regional vend product distributors that collectively cover the U.S. and provide a variety of online services to operator customers.

Sidwell noted Vend Service employs about 100 people.

U.S. Foodservice acquires Brea, Calif. foodservice distributor

U.S. Foodservice, announced it has acquired the foodservice distribution business of White Apron, a supplier and processor of premium fresh meats based in Brea, Calif. The business will be integrated into the U.S. Foodservice-Los Angeles division, based in La Mirada, Calif.

Canteen buys Coffee Break Service and North Shore Industrial Vending