History of Sysco Arkansas

Sysco Arkansas, LLC, a full service broadline distributor, began as the Vogel Company in 1946.  Sam Vogel returned from service in World War II and founded a small frozen food and fresh fish operation in North Little Rock.  The Vogel Company sold primarily to retail establishments in its early years, however Sam Vogel, like foodservice distribution visionary John Baugh of Houston, TX, was able to recognize the tremendous future ahead for frozen foods.

The Vogel Company grew steadily throughout the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s ultimately becoming a full line foodservice distributor.  In 1967, The Vogel Company relocated to a new 53,000 sq ft distribution facility constructed at our present location at 5800 Frozen Road in southwest Little Rock.

In 1987, The Vogel Company merged with John Baugh’s SYSCO Corporation and became Vogel/SYSCO.  SYSCO sales personnel servicing Arkansas out of Hardin’s/SYSCO in Memphis, TN along with The Vogel Company’s sales, operations, and administrative staffs joined together to form the original Vogel/SYSCO team.  Under its new SYSCO banner, Vogel/SYSCO's first year sales from 1987 to 1988 reached $32 million.  Four years later in 1991, Vogel/SYSCO changed its name to SYSCO Food Services of Arkansas, Inc.

Since moving into its original 53,000 sq ft in 1967, expansions of 14,000 sq ft (1972), 88,000 sq ft (1988), 90,000 sq ft (1999), and 55,000 sq ft (2003) have grown Sysco Arkansas’ operation to roughly 300,000 sq ft.

In 2008, our name changed to Sysco Arkansas, LLC and a clean and fresh image was introduced as Sysco’s new logo, encompassing Sysco’s name and a new tagline: "Good things come from Sysco."  The new logo, which replaces the well-recognized cube and uppercase acronym image, highlights Sysco's commitment to quality food, beneficial partnerships, and sustainability across the food business spectrum.  The new tagline speaks to all audiences: customers, suppliers, investors, the communities in which Sysco operates, and current and future associates.  The prominent feature of the new logo, a green leaf in the letter ‘y’ of Sysco, signifies quality food, Sysco’s industry, and the company’s commitment to the environment and sustainability.

Today, Sysco Arkansas employs over 330 full-time associates and maintains the largest market share of any foodservice distributor in the state of Arkansas.  Traveling over 2.5 million miles annually, Sysco Arkansas delivers 10 million cases of fresh/frozen food, supplies, and equipment to 3,600 customers located all across Arkansas and into five of its bordering states.

History of Sysco Corporation

In 1969, nine independent entrepreneurs in food marketing and distribution recognized the emergence of eating away from home as an industry with exciting growth potential.  Simultaneously, as personal disposable income rose and more women entered the workforce, they recognized the growing complexity of the business and an increasing demand for regional, and ultimately, national support from food purveyors as hotel, hospital and restaurant chains expanded.  These companies merged to form SYSCO, a SYstems and Services COmpany.

Sysco's philosophy then, and now, is to be a trusted supplier, providing foodservice customers with a broad product line consistently high in quality.  Since its founding and initial public offering, when sales were $115 million, Sysco has grown from an idea to a $37 billion food marketing organization and the global leader in the foodservice industry.

Today, Sysco has sales and service relationships with approximately 400,000 customers and remains committed to helping them succeed in the foodservice industry and satisfy consumers' appetites. Operating from 170-plus locations throughout the contiguous United States and portions of Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada, today Sysco's product lines are as diverse as the 50,000 employees who support its daily operations. They include not only the ingredients needed to prepare meals, but also numerous ancillary preparation and serving items. As a result, Sysco can make a difference in its customers' lives and the success of their businesses.  Sysco is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SYY.