Acosta Expands Foodservice Division, Names Division President

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Acosta Sales & Marketing, a full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry (CPG), announced the acquisition of four Southeastern foodservice companies: United Foodservice Sales, Innovative Foodservice Marketing, Premier Sales Associates and Joyner Brokerage Co.

Additionally, Mark Hayden has been appointed foodservice division president and will lead the combined companies, providing an enhanced suite of sales and marketing services to the foodservice industry across the East Coast, Acosta said.

"We are pleased to announce that we are rapidly growing our foodservice division with the addition of Mark Hayden, and are expanding our footprint in the foodservice channel through our newest partnerships with these leading Southeastern agencies," said Acosta President and CEO Robert Hill. "Each of these companies brings robust track records, talented associates and strong regional presences that will help to bolster this division. These companies, combined with Mark's leadership and extensive industry experience, will help us continue to build the leading foodservice agency platform in the U.S."

Hayden boasts 25 years of experience in the foodservice industry, including leadership roles with Lamb Weston, a division of ConAgra Foods. Along with leading Acosta's foodservice division, Hayden will guide its continued expansion by growing the core business through strategic acquisition, according to the announcement.

Acosta first entered the foodservice industry in March 2012 with the acquisition of Venture Sales Group, a foodservice sales agency in the Northeast U.S. It followed that purchase with the April 2012 acquisition of Quality Sales & Marketing, a foodservice sales agency based in the Carolinas.

Following its latest acquisitions, Acosta's operations will expand into Alabama and the Florida panhandle via United Foodservice Sales; Mississippi via Innovative Foodservice Marketing; Tennessee via Premier Sales Associates; and Arkansas via Joyner Brokerage Co.

Acosta provides outsourced sales, marketing and retail merchandising services to more than 60 percent of the top brands in the CPG industry from more than 75 locations across the U.S. and Canada, according to the company.