Northern Virginia Beer Distributor Being Sold to Wholesaler

It’s beer Friday where I work, so I just had to report about the purchase of Fredericksburg Distributing Co. by Premium Distributors of Virginia.

Founded in 1988, Fredericksburg Distributing Co. is currently expected to finalize the sale on October 8th according to their current General Manager Rocky Sizemore. Standard due diligence will occur next month as a result of papers being signed last week. The financial terms have not been released and Sizemore has provided no comment as to why they wish to be purchased. Sizemore has, however, stated that Premium Distributors of Virginia approached Fredericksburg Distributing Co.

FDC is in the business of selling a wide variety of beers including Corona, Coors, Miller, Sam Adams, Yuengling, Fosters, and Pabst in the Fredericksburg territory and surrounding areas. In 2004, FDC purchased Northern Neck Distributing Co. which added Fosters, Sam Adams, Miller, and several other labels to their line up.

They employ 107 individuals at their Commerce Parkway facility located off U.S. 17 near interstate 95 interchange in Stafford County, most of whom will continue operating with Premium Distributors including Sizemore.

The founder of Fredericksburg Distributing Co., L. Wayne Sanders, ran the company from 1988 until he passed away in May 2007 at the age of 60. He left the company to his widow, Lucinda Cochran Sanders, who continues to be the owner of FDC.

Premium Distributors of Virginia is one of three divisions within Reyes Holdings out of Chicago, who delivers highly recognized food and beverage brands throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Central America and South America. According to Forbes Magazine, Reyes Holdings is the 25th largest privately held company in America as of 2009 with annual sales approaching 12 billion dollars and a workforce comprised of about 10,300 employees.

The Martin-Brower Company, another division of Reyes Holdings, serves about half of the McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S. The Martin-Brower Company delivers to 9,600 McDonald’s locations in the United States, Canada, Ireland and Latin America (including Brazil). The final division of Reyes Holdings is Reinhart FoodService who serves Burger King and Subway.

This recent purchase activity follows a consolidation trend in beer wholesale. Sources are saying that Freeman Beverage, the spawn of a grocery store established in 1893 turned beer and wine distributor in 1934, may also be considering a future sale. Freeman is based out of Stafford as well and distributes beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks.

On a side note, if you are looking to become a bartender in Northern Virginia, D.C., or Maryland… check out the Maryland Bartending Academy. Wherever your beer comes from, be sure to drive safe and be drink responsibly this Labor Day weekend.