What Roland Foods does

Roland Foods is a US-based specialty food ingredients importer and distributor founded in France in 1934 by Bruno and Suzanne Scheidt, subsequently relocated to the United States around 1940, and now headquartered at 115 W. 18th Street in New York. The company sources and distributes premium global ingredients from more than 50 countries across 12 product categories — including Vegetables, Peppers/Olives/Pickles, Grains/Rice/Legumes, Noodles/Pasta, Oils/Vinegars/Glazes, Condiments/Sauces/Spreads, Seafood/Proteins, Fruits, Spices/Seasonings/Coatings, Crackers/Snacks/Nuts, Dessert/Pastry, and Kitchen/Dining Accessories — and 10+ cuisine types (Asian, Caribbean, French, Indian, Italian, Latin American, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and others). Its go-to-market is B2B-led, serving four primary customer segments — Restaurants & Operators, Manufacturers, Retailers, and Distributors — through foodservice, industrial, and retail channels, with supplementary retail distribution via Amazon. Revenue is generated through wholesale ingredient distribution under quote-based, non-publicly-disclosed pricing with multi-year B2B contracts.

The company is privately held and backed by private equity firm Vestar Capital Partners, with a $125 million structured capital investment from Harvest Partners recorded in 2017. Roland Foods has pursued an acquisition-led growth strategy, completing two strategic transactions: the 2019 acquisition of AUI Fine Foods (Albert Uster Imports), which now operates as a core subsidiary, and the August 2023 acquisition of ifiGOURMET, a specialty dessert, bakery, pastry, confectionery, and ice cream ingredients distributor integrated into the AUI Fine Foods division to expand market presence in Chicago and San Francisco. The portfolio emphasizes differentiated, trend-aligned specialty products — exemplified by 2026 FABI Award recognition from the National Restaurant Association Show and ongoing product spotlights in areas such as Value Added Innovation, Pickled & Fermented, and Specialty Global Peppers — and is marketed through a content-driven ecosystem including The Gazette newsletter, The Bulletin industry updates, recipe and product education content, and event participation. Leadership is headed by CEO Keith Dougherty.

Name

Roland Foods

Legal name

Roland Foods, LLC

Website

https://rolandfoods.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Roland Foods is a US-based specialty food ingredients importer and distributor, founded 1934, that sources premium global ingredients from 50+ countries and sells across foodservice, industrial, retail, and distributor channels to restaurants, manufacturers, retailers, and distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Food Ingredients

NAICS

Food Manufacturing (311), Seasoning and Dressing Manufacturing (31194), Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing (311941)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)

akta.pro primary industry

Ingredients, Spices & Culinary Supplies Distribution (CRAOABAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ethnic & International Foods Distribution (CRAOABAG), International & Ethnic Packaged Foods (CRADAAAG), Condiments, Sauces & Dressings (CRADAAAB)

Keywords

• Specialty food ingredients
• Foodservice distribution
• Imported gourmet foods
• B2B food distribution
• Global cuisine products

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Food Ingredients Distribution: Roland Foods generates revenue through the import and distribution of specialty food ingredients to foodservice operators, food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. The company sells a broad portfolio of products across categories including vegetables, peppers, olives, grains, noodles, oils, condiments, seafood, fruits, spices, crackers, and dessert/pastry items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Roland Foods imports and distributes premium specialty food ingredients from more than 50 countries, serving foodservice operators, food manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. The company offers a broad portfolio spanning 12 product categories including vegetables, peppers/olives/pickles, grains/rice/legumes, noodles/pasta, oils/vinegars/glazes, condiments/sauces/spreads, seafood/proteins, fruits, spices/seasonings/coatings, crackers/snacks/nuts, dessert/pastry, and kitchen/dining accessories across global cuisines including Asian, Caribbean, French, Indian, Italian, Latin American, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern.

Product overview

Roland Foods is a premium global ingredient distributor offering a diverse portfolio of specialty food products across 12 categories: Vegetables, Peppers/Olives/Pickles, Grains/Rice/Legumes, Noodles/Pasta, Oils/Vinegars/Glazes, Condiments/Sauces/Spreads, Seafood/Proteins, Fruits, Spices/Seasonings/Coatings, Crackers/Snacks/Nuts, Dessert/Pastry, and Kitchen/Dining Accessories. The product line includes sauces (Chimichurri, Ssamjang, Hoisin, Green Sriracha), pastes (Miso, Anchovy, Curry), specialty ingredients (Sofrito, Salsa Macha), seasonings (Sea Salts, Peppercorns), and specialty items (Nori Seaweed, Panko). The company serves foodservice, industrial, and retail channels across multiple cuisine types including Asian, Caribbean, French, Indian, Italian, Latin American, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern. In August 2023, Roland Foods acquired ifiGOURMET, a gourmet dessert products manufacturer and distributor of high-quality ingredients for bakery, pastry, confectionery, and ice cream industries, to expand market presence in Chicago and San Francisco.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chimichurri Sauce A bright and fresh ready-to-use condiment with herbaceous flavor, comprised of cilantro, parsley, sunflower oil, vinegar, and spices. Perfect for accompanying grilled meats and vegetables.
• Sofrito with Aji Amarillo A versatile and time-saving ingredient made from a blend of cooked down aromatics and Aji Amarillo Pepper with bright, fruity flavor and moderate spice level.
• Salsa Macha A fiery and smoky ready-to-use oil-based topping with deep smoky flavor, intense concentrated heat, and pieces of dried chili, garlic, and pumpkin seeds.
• Organic Miso Paste A flavorful, umami-forward ingredient made with four simple ingredients including organic soybeans and rice, commonly used in Asian cuisine for soups, marinades, and glazes.
• Organic Red Miso Paste An aged miso with deep umami flavor, hint of sweetness, and rich color. A versatile pantry staple ideal for soups, marinades, glazes, and dessert or cocktail applications.
• Whole Garlic Cloves Conveniently peeled and ready-to-use garlic cloves that are crisp with a gentle garlic taste and hint of sweetness. Can be served as antipasti or used in cooking.
• Fine Crystal Sea Salt Premium sea salt harvested from warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of western Sicily, known for well-balanced flavor and fine sand-like texture.
• Whole Wheat Panko Bread Crumbs Crunchier and lighter than ordinary breadcrumbs, certified whole grain product that turns deep earthy brown when cooked with coarse, crunchy texture.
• Pink Peppercorns Dried berries from the Baies Rose plant, milder than white or black peppercorns with fragrant, warm flavor and delightful crunchy texture. Popular in French cuisine.
• Roasted Nori Seaweed Dried and compressed seaweed sheets ranging in color from deep purple to vibrant green with subtle taste of the sea.
• Coarse Crystal Sea Salt Sea salt from Mediterranean sea water evaporation with large crystals that add crunch and salinity to dishes.
• Natural Smoke Flavor Sesame Seeds Bamboo smoked sesame seeds with earthy black color, prominent rich and nutty sesame flavor with smoky charcoal undertones.
• Ssamjang Korean sauce crafted from doenjang (fermented soybean paste) blended with gochujang (spicy chili pepper paste), garlic, persimmon, mushrooms, sesame seeds, and mustard.
• Mango Chutney Fruity and spicy sauce chock-full of succulent mango pieces, traditionally used as condiment alongside Indian and Asian dishes.
• Preserved Lemon Paste Highly versatile fermented lemon concentrate paste with strong and acidic lemon flavor, suitable for salad dressings, proteins, potatoes, and cocktails.
• Hoisin Sauce Sweet-tasting, thick, reddish-brown sauce with sweet and sour profile and intense spicy aftertaste. Contains no MSG.
• Major Grey's Mango Chutney Sumptuous blend of sweet mangoes and zesty spices named after a 19th century British army officer, used for homemade duck sauce or curry accompaniment.
• Green Curry Paste Bright and pungent curry paste blend featuring chili peppers, lemongrass, galangal, ideal for spicing up white meat and fish dishes.
• Basil Pesto Rich uncooked basil sauce with beautiful dark green color and intense basil flavor, blended with olive oil, cheese, cashew nuts, and spices.
• Anchovy Paste Smooth brown paste made with pureed anchovies that adds subtle depth of umami flavor to salad dressings and pasta sauces.
• Pickapeppa Sauce Classic Jamaican sauce containing tomatoes, onions, sugar, cane vinegar, mangoes, raisins, garlic, peppers, thyme, and cloves.
• Green Sriracha Chili Sauce Vibrant, acidic condiment with notes of lemongrass and ginger for an authentic Southeast Asian twist on traditional sriracha. Plant-based product.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• ifiGOURMETcoreOthers · 21 August 2023Roland Foods acquired ifiGOURMET, a distributor of high-quality ingredients for bakery, pastry, confectionery, and ice cream industries. The acquisition aims to expand Roland Foods' market presence in Chicago and San Francisco and enhance its product offerings. ifiGOURMET will be integrated with Roland Foods' AUI Fine Foods division.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• McCormick & Company: Global leader in spices, seasonings, and flavors with a strong B2B foodservice and industrial customer base. Highly comparable to Roland Foods in product portfolio overlap (sauces, condiments, seasonings) and customer segments served.
• Kerry Group: Specialty ingredients and taste solutions provider serving foodservice, food manufacturing, and retail. Directly comparable in business model: B2B specialty ingredient distribution with global sourcing and operator focus.
• Sensient Technologies: Specialty ingredients manufacturer focused on flavors, colors, and seasonings for food and beverage customers. Comparable as a B2B specialty ingredient supplier with overlapping customer base in food manufacturing.
• TreeHouse Foods: Private-label and specialty packaged food manufacturer serving retail and foodservice customers. Comparable business model: branded and private-label specialty foods including sauces, condiments, and ethnic categories.
• B&G Foods: Specialty packaged foods company with portfolio spanning ethnic, shelf-stable, and condiment categories. Comparable in multi-category specialty food strategy and foodservice/retail channel mix.
• Watkins Incorporated: Specialty spice, extract, and baking ingredients company serving retail and foodservice. Comparable as a heritage specialty ingredient brand with overlapping product categories (spices, seasonings, sauces) and multi-channel distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Sysco Corporation: Largest US foodservice distributor with broad-line offering including specialty items. Comparable as a foodservice distributor to restaurants and operators, but vastly larger and not specialized in global ethnic specialty ingredients.
• US Foods: Major US foodservice distributor serving restaurants and operators with broad product assortment. Comparable foodservice distribution model and customer overlap, though not focused on global specialty ingredients.
• Performance Food Group: Large US foodservice and convenience distributor with broad-line offerings. Comparable in foodservice distribution to operators, but Roland's niche specialty focus distinguishes it from PFG's scale-driven approach.
• Conagra Brands: Major packaged food company with broad portfolio including ethnic and specialty brands. Comparable in specialty packaged food categories, but Conagra is a mass-market CPG manufacturer rather than a specialty importer/distributor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Pinterestpinterest.com/rolandfoods
• Facebookfacebook.com/RolandFoods.Page
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/roland-foods

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Roland Foods