What Kohl Wholesale does

Kohl Wholesale is a sixth-generation, family-owned broadline foodservice distributor headquartered in Quincy, Illinois, founded in 1861 when Nikolaus Kohl entered the wholesale grocery trade along the Mississippi Riverfront, with the firm formally established under his ownership in 1873. The company distributes more than 14,000 products — spanning dry goods, frozen and refrigerated foods, fresh produce, protein, beverages, chemicals, and equipment — to foodservice operators across Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. Primary customer segments include restaurants and hospitality operators, healthcare facilities (via the dedicated Thrive Healthcare Foodservice Solutions program), K-12 schools (via the dedicated K-12 Menu Program), and walk-in retail consumers through the Cash & Carry Showroom opened in 2000. Named reference customers are skewed toward small and independent operators, with the company historically recognized as a Top 35 U.S. foodservice distributor by sales volume (2012).

The company operates a hybrid distribution model combining field sales through dedicated Direct Store Representatives (DSRs) with digital self-service channels: the PowerNet customer portal for invoice viewing, ordering, and account management; the KWA web and native mobile applications (iOS and Android, relaunched in 2025) with real-time catalog and pricing; and Trimble Maps-integrated delivery tracking. Physical infrastructure includes a 137,000 sq ft dry warehouse with 10,700 pallet positions and 26 truck docks on a 40-acre lot (built 2018), temperature-controlled facilities, an underground cave storage partnership with Midwest Controlled Storage, a beverage/chemical/equipment operations facility, and a retail Cash & Carry showroom. Value-added services — corporate chef support, registered dietitians, ServSafe training, rebate administration, marketing services, and semi-annual foodshows — are positioned alongside the core distribution business. Pricing is quote-based, customer-specific, and not publicly disclosed; revenue is generated through transactional product distribution, managed equipment services, and ancillary professional services.

Kohl Wholesale generates revenue through four primary streams: (1) broadline foodservice product distribution, augmented by UniPro Foodservice cooperative membership providing purchasing power across 500+ manufacturers; (2) Cash & Carry retail sales with no membership fee; (3) beverage, chemical, and equipment service contracts (equipment provided at no charge in exchange for purchase-program commitments); and (4) rebate administration and ancillary services. Go-to-market is relationship-driven and sales-led, anchored by DSRs, semi-annual foodshows, community engagement, and content channels including the Delights quarterly magazine. The firm holds HACCP, HARPC, Food Defense Plan, and FSMA compliance certifications and has earned industry recognition including UniPro Co-Op Distributor of the Year (2010), IFMA Sales & Marketing Distributor of the Year (2013), and a 150-year operating milestone (2023).

Name

Kohl Wholesale

Legal name

Kohl Wholesale

Website

https://kohlwholesale.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1861

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Kohl Wholesale is a sixth-generation, family-owned broadline foodservice distributor headquartered in Quincy, Illinois, supplying 14,000+ products to restaurants, healthcare facilities, K-12 schools, and retail consumers across Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri via UniPro cooperative membership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foodservice Distribution

NAICS

Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesalers (4244), Other Grocery and Related Products Merchant Wholesalers (42449), Packaged Frozen Food Merchant Wholesalers (42442)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Grocery & Supermarket (Ambient/Dry) Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Shelf-Stable Packaged Foods Wholesale (Canned, Dry, Snacks) (AFAIABAB), Frozen Foods Wholesale (AFAIABAC), Natural, Organic & Health Foods Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAK)

Keywords

• Broadline foodservice distribution
• Wholesale grocery supply
• Foodservice product distribution
• Cash and carry foodservice
• Foodservice equipment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Quincy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Foodservice Product Distribution: Core revenue from distributing broadline foodservice products including dry goods, frozen foods, fresh produce, protein, beverages, chemicals, and equipment to foodservice operators. Operating as a member of UniPro Foodservice cooperative network providing access to over 500 manufacturers and 14,000+ products.
2. Cash & Carry Retail Showroom: Retail outlet in Quincy, IL offering foodservice products without membership fee. Revenue from walk-in retail customers purchasing foodservice supplies in various quantities from smaller retail packaging to large quantity items.
3. Equipment Service & Leasing: Provides beverage dispensing equipment at no charge when customers set up purchase programs for products. Equipment maintenance, service calls, and lease programs generate additional service revenue. Chemical products for laundry, ware-wash and housekeeping needs sold alongside service.
4. Rebate Administration Services: Tracks eligible purchases on behalf of customers for supplier rebates, furnishes purchase reports and rebate forms. Saves customers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually through rebate processing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kohl Wholesale is a broadline foodservice distributor supplying over 14,000 products (dry grocery, frozen, refrigerated/produce, beverages, chemicals, and equipment) to hotels, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and other operators across Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. Distribution is delivered through dedicated Direct Store Representatives, company-fleet delivery, a retail Cash & Carry showroom, and digital ordering via the PowerNet portal and KWA mobile/web application.

Product overview

Kohl Wholesale is a broadline foodservice distributor serving Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri with over 14,000 products. The company operates a multi-channel distribution model with its core broadline distribution service enhanced by customer-facing digital platforms (PowerNet Portal and KWA mobile/web application for online ordering and account management), a retail Cash & Carry showroom, and an array of value-added services including the Rebate Program, Delights Magazine, Beverage/Chemical/Equipment services, Thrive Healthcare solutions, Marketing Services, semi-annual Foodshow events, and nutrition/food safety support (K-12 Menu Program, ServSafe Training, Corporate Chef Services, and Registered Dietitian Services). Through its UniPro Foodservice partnership, Kohl Wholesale also offers exclusive private label brands (Brighton Farms, Cortona, Crestview, SweetSource, Ocean Horizons, Copper Creek, SunSource, Companions). The portfolio functions as an integrated foodservice solution combining physical product distribution with digital ordering platforms and comprehensive operational support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Delights: Kohl Wholesale's quarterly magazine featuring industry articles, food trends, Kohl news, recipes, and seasonal content.
• Kohl Cash & Carry
• Thrive Healthcare Foodservice Solutions

Products and services

• Broadline Foodservice Distribution Primary core offering: distributes an inventory of over 14,000 foodservice products — dry grocery, frozen, fresh produce, protein, beverages, chemicals, and equipment — to hotels, hospitals, retail shops, schools, restaurants, and other foodservice operators across Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri through dedicated Direct Store Representatives, company-fleet delivery, and UniPro Foodservice cooperative purchasing power.
• PowerNet Customer Portal Proprietary online customer portal enabling account customers to view invoices, place orders, search inventory, review order history, and manage accounts securely online 24/7 via web browser.
• Kohl Wholesale Mobile App (KWA) Native mobile application for iOS and Android providing catalog access, real-time pricing and availability, specials browsing, order tracking, and account management; also accessible as a browser-based web ordering platform for account customers.
• Kohl Cash & Carry Showroom Walk-in retail outlet offering foodservice supplies — cleaning supplies, fresh beef, produce, professional cookware, canned goods, and frozen foods — at affordable unit pricing with no membership fee, available to account customers and the general public; pre-order pickup available by calling ahead.
• Beverage, Chemical, and Equipment Services Complete line of juice, coffee, and tea dispensing equipment provided at no charge to customers who set up purchase programs; includes equipment setup, maintenance, service calls, lease programs, and chemical products for laundry, ware-wash, and housekeeping needs.
• Thrive Healthcare Foodservice Solutions Specialized foodservice distribution solutions for healthcare operators including dedicated purchasing programs, culinary support, registered dietitian guidance, regulatory compliance assistance, and operational solutions tailored to hospitals, clinics, retirement communities, memory care, and elder care facilities.
• K-12 Menu Program Menu-planning tools and resources for K-8 and 9-12 school food programs designed to meet USDA Child Nutrition Program guidelines, including Kafeteria Magazine, recipes, menu templates, nutrition analysis, production records, breakfast and lunch program order guides, smart snack requirements, and continuing education.
• ServSafe Manager Training and Certification Quarterly ServSafe Food Safety Manager and Food Handler training and certification program accredited by ANSI-CFP, taught by certified ServSafe instructor Brad Darnell, providing food-safety education and examination to foodservice professionals in the Kohl Wholesale service region.
• Marketing Services In-house marketing services for foodservice customers including Facebook setup and content curation, customized marketing plans, Google and Yelp listing support, and print design for menus, table-tents, and carry-out menus.
• Rebate Administration Program Complimentary service that tracks eligible purchases on supplier rebates on behalf of customers, furnishes purchase reports and rebate forms, and assists with submission — saving customers hundreds of thousands of dollars annually through rebate processing with suppliers including Ajinomoto, Brakebush, King & Prince Seafood, and Sugar Foods.
• Semi-Annual Foodshow Events Spring and Fall foodshows in Quincy, IL featuring vendor displays, product demonstrations, sampling, educational seminars, networking opportunities, and exclusive show-only pricing to drive customer acquisition, retention, and product discovery — with the Spring 2026 show scheduled for April 23, 2026 at Oakley Lindsay Center.
• Corporate Chef and Registered Dietitian Services Value-added culinary and nutrition services including menu development, recipe development, culinary skill training, chef mentorship, product cuttings, state survey preparation, evidence-based nutrition guidance, product recommendations, menu planning, continuing education, and administrative review support — delivered by Corporate Chef Brad Darnell, Healthcare Specialist Rebecca Shinn (RD, LDN), and K12 Specialist Annslee (RDN, LDN).

Quantifiable outcome

• Customers save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually through rebate program administration
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UniPro Foodservice Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Kohl Wholesale is a member of UniPro Foodservice, the largest foodservice distribution cooperative in the United States with over 750 distribution locations. This partnership provides significant purchasing power through collective $12 billion (primary source mentions $119 billion collective volume) purchasing volume, access to over 500 manufacturers, and exclusive private brand products. The cooperative enables competitive pricing and national brand access while Kohl maintains independent local ownership.
• Dot FoodscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDot Foods is a national foodservice redistributor and close neighbor/business partner. They serve as a resource for special orders, large requests, and backup inventory. Both Kohl Wholesale and Dot Foods are locally owned, family operated businesses committed to serving their communities.
• UniPro Private Brand ManufacturersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAccess to exclusive private brand products through UniPro including Brighton Farms, Cortona, Crestview, SweetSource, Ocean Horizons, Copper Creek, SunSource, and Companions brands.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gordon Food Service: Gordon Food Service is one of the largest family-operated broadline foodservice distributors in North America and a fellow member of the UniPro cooperative ecosystem. It is directly comparable to Kohl Wholesale in business model (broadline distribution, foodservice customers, value-added services) and similar Midwest heritage, though at meaningfully larger scale.
• Ben E. Keith Foods: Ben E. Keith is a privately held broadline foodservice distributor serving the Midwest and Southwest U.S. with a similar mix of restaurant, healthcare, and institutional customers. It is a strong direct peer given its family-owned heritage, comparable size, and broadline-plus-specialty structure.
• Shamrock Foods Company: Shamrock Foods is a family-owned broadline foodservice distributor with dairy and protein roots, serving restaurants, healthcare, and institutional customers in the Midwest and Western U.S. It is comparable to Kohl as a privately held, family-led regional broadliner with value-added services.
• Nicholas & Company: Nicholas & Company is an independent broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, schools, healthcare, and government accounts, primarily in the Intermountain West. It is a strong comparable on independent ownership, broadline model, and vertical specialization (including K-12).
• Reinhart Foodservice: Reinhart Foodservice is a broadline foodservice distributor serving the Midwest and other U.S. regions (now part of the Gordon Food Service family). It is directly comparable to Kohl in product breadth, customer mix, and broadline-plus-specialty approach in overlapping Midwest geographies.
• Dot Foods: Dot Foods is the largest foodservice redistributor in the U.S. and an explicit strategic partner of Kohl Wholesale for backup inventory and special orders. Both are family-owned Midwest operators serving foodservice distributors and operators with broad product lines.
• Maines Paper & Food Service: Maines Paper & Food Service is an independent broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, schools, healthcare, and convenience customers in the Eastern U.S. Comparable to Kohl as a privately held, multi-generation broadliner competing with national players on service intensity.

Broad incumbents

• Sysco: Sysco is the largest broadline foodservice distributor in North America. It competes with Kohl Wholesale for the same restaurant, healthcare, and institutional customers with broader geographic coverage and deeper private-label assortment, representing the dominant incumbent Kohl benchmarks itself against.
• US Foods: US Foods is the #2 broadline foodservice distributor in the U.S., operating nationally with a full-service broadline model, private label, and digital ordering platforms. It is a broad incumbent competitor for Kohl's restaurant, healthcare, and K-12 customer base across the Midwest.
• Performance Food Group: Performance Food Group operates one of the largest broadline foodservice distribution networks in the U.S. through its Foodservice segment. It is a broad incumbent competing for the same restaurant, healthcare, and K-12 customer relationships that Kohl serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDMZ24c3W72b0IJnbmlzYPA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Kohl.Wholesale
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kohl-wholesale
• Instagraminstagram.com/kohlwholesale
• Xx.com/kohlwholesale

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Kohl Wholesale