Food Express expands in South Carolina with two acquisitions
Breakroom services provider Food Express has strengthened its southeastern footprint with the acquisition of two Columbia, S.C.-based convenience services companies, Food Service Solutions and Snacktime. Both are GlobalConnect affiliates whose locations and operations complement Food Express’ existing network.
Matt Kilpatrick, president of Food Express, said the move represents the company’s focus on growing strategically in markets where it can deliver immediate value. He noted that the two companies bring strong local relationships and operational standards that match Food Express’ own service goals.
Kilpatrick joined Food Express earlier this year after 19 years with Royal Cup Inc. In his new role, he is tasked with leading and growing the company’s operations while spearheading targeted acquisitions across the region.
The deal marks Food Express’s third acquisition in the past year, following its purchase of Snackworks in Bradenton, Fla. Additional expansion along the East Coast is planned or already underway, the company said while announcing the latest acquisitions, signaling continued investment in regional markets.
“By acquiring strong local companies in the Southeast, with established relationships and operational excellence, Food Express is able to more quickly expand market coverage... creating a seamless breakroom services experience for Food Express clients from Florida to North Carolina. The acquisitions also further expand the growth and regional presence for GlobalConnect’s North American network of independently operated affiliates while continuing to grow our network of independently operated affiliates,” Kilpatrick told VendingMarketWatch.com.
As part of the South Carolina growth, Food Express has named industry veteran Gaye Tankersley director of operations for the state. She will oversee integration and daily operations, bringing experience that the company says will support a smooth transition and ongoing service delivery.
Food Express is focused on ensuring a unified quality standard, Kilpatrick noted. “Food Service Solutions and Snacktime customers will continue to enjoy personalized local service, and can anticipate increased efficiency, technology-powered service enhancements [and] access to broader product selections,” he said.
Food Express operates under GlobalConnect, a North American network of independent breakroom service providers. While Food Express manages day-to-day operations in its markets, GlobalConnect supplies technology, operational support and network resources to enable the breakroom services provider to offer consistent service across micro markets, vending, office coffee and water services.
GlobalConnect CEO Jeff Whitacre cited the company’s unified software platform, advanced payment devices, AI-powered market surveillance and centralized operational tools as key aspects of its technologies for operators. “Through integration of these technologies, we support successful acquisitions by streamlining onboarding, harmonizing inventory and transaction management, and ensuring real-time data sharing across regional affiliates. The technology also enables consistent client experiences, fraud mitigation, and operational visibility,” he told VendingMarketWatch.com.
About the Author
Linda Becker
Editor-in-Chief
Linda Becker is editor-in-chief of Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com. She has more than 20 years of experience in B2B publishing, writing, editing and producing content for magazines, websites, webinars, podcasts, newsletters and eBooks, primarily for manufacturing and process engineering audiences. Since joining Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com, Linda has developed a new appreciation for the convenience services industry and the essential role it plays. She is dedicated to serving readers by covering the latest news in the vending, office coffee service and micro market industry. She can be reached at 262-203-9924 or [email protected].