HANOVER, PA — Utz Brands announced the acquisition of distribution rights in South Florida from National Food Corp., a third-party direct-store delivery (DSD) distributor.
“We are very excited to announce this transaction, as we continue to execute the expansion strategy that we outlined during our December 2023 Investor Day,” said Howard Friedman, CEO of Utz. “Strengthening our regional foothold and bolstering our customer relationships in Florida is a key focus, as the state represents an important expansion geography for Utz. We look forward to expanding our distribution and offering our portfolio of iconic snacking products to more consumers in this important geography.”
The acquisition includes approximately 65 DSD routes in South Florida, covering cities including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples and Fort Myers.
This is Utz’s second transaction with National Food. The first transaction in 2021 involved the acquisition of 21 DSD routes in Central Florida. The company now oversees more than 200 independent operator-run routes in the Sunshine State.
Utz plans to support this expansion by increasing its investment and providing enhanced retailer support including additional distribution facilities and sales management, higher service velocity, and an expanded route system.
