San Francisco Equity Partners (SFEP), a private equity firm specializing in the consumer value chain, has announced a significant investment in the foodservice industry. The firm has partnered with Sales Concepts, Inc. and Donovan Food Brokerage, Inc. to launch Xceed Foodservice Group (Xceed), a new platform poised to transform the foodservice brokerage landscape. This strategic move by Sf Equity Partners highlights their commitment to supporting high-growth potential companies within the consumer sector.
Xceed Foodservice Group is designed to unite leading regional foodservice brokerage companies, offering enhanced services and broader market reach. Sales Concepts and Donovan, both established and successful brokerages covering the Southeastern and Upper Midwest U.S. respectively, will form the foundation of Xceed. Crucially, the owners of Sales Concepts and Donovan, industry experts Darin Pounds, Josh Carnell, and Jack Donovan, will remain significantly invested in Xceed and lead its executive team. This ensures continuity and leverages their deep industry knowledge within the new platform.
The creation of Xceed Foodservice Group addresses a substantial market opportunity within the $1 trillion U.S. foodservice industry. This sector encompasses a diverse range of institutions from restaurants and schools to hospitals, all requiring efficient and localized food supply chains. Xceed, backed by the expertise of sf equity partners, will empower food suppliers to navigate these complex networks through comprehensive sales and marketing services provided by its partner brokerages. The platform’s strategy includes further expansion by partnering with additional top-tier regional brokerages in complementary markets, creating a nationwide network.
Darin Pounds, CEO of Xceed, emphasized the platform’s vision: “We formed Xceed to provide a differentiated level of service and results to our clients and other stakeholders on a larger scale.” He further explained that while partner brokerages will maintain their regional expertise and client focus, the Xceed partnership will unlock access to expanded resources, relationships, and markets. This synergy is expected to drive significant growth and value for both the brokerages and their clients.
David Mannix, Partner at sf equity partners, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are excited to partner with the Xceed team to build a platform addressing underserved segments of the food manufacturing and foodservice operations space.” This reflects SFEP’s strategic approach to identify and invest in businesses that can benefit from their operational expertise and network within the consumer value chain. Jack Donovan, COO of Xceed, further added that sf equity partners‘ experience in building founder-led businesses aligns perfectly with their vision for Xceed’s growth and service development.
San Francisco Equity Partners, with its exclusive focus on lower middle market consumer companies, positions itself as more than just a financial investor. They act as an extension of the management team, providing operational guidance and leveraging a broad network within the consumer landscape. The investment in Xceed Foodservice Group exemplifies their strategy of building robust platforms within attractive consumer sectors, promising significant growth and value creation in the foodservice brokerage industry. For further information about sf equity partners, please visit their website.
