Romano Beverage
Romano Beverage is a family-owned beverage distributor serving the entire State of Illinois, distributing premium wines, spirits, and THC-infused beverages from 100+ brand suppliers to restaurants and retailers since its 2018 re-establishment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersElmhurst, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Romano Beverage does
Romano Beverage (legal entity: RF Beverage, LLC) is a family-owned beverage distribution company headquartered at 970 N Oaklawn Ave, Ste. 300, Elmhurst, Illinois. Founded in 2018 by the Romano family — whose roots in beverage distribution trace back to 1913 — the company distributes premium wines, distilled spirits, and THC-infused beverages from over 100 brand suppliers to restaurants and retailers throughout the State of Illinois, including the Chicagoland area. Geographic operations are explicitly restricted to Illinois.
The company operates a traditional B2B wholesale distribution model, purchasing products from suppliers at wholesale prices and reselling to retailers and restaurants at marked-up prices, earning margins on the spread between purchase and sale prices. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated individually based on customer volume and relationship. The go-to-market is sales-led, with Brand Directors managing supplier partnerships and sales representatives handling customer accounts; new customers onboard through a formal account application, and new suppliers submit through a dedicated inquiry process.
The product portfolio spans three core categories: Fine Wines Distribution from international and domestic wineries (including Tri-Vin, Fess Parker Winery, ASV Wines, and Oak Ridge Winery); Spirits Distribution covering whiskey, bourbon, tequila, mezcal, gin, vodka, and rum from established and craft producers (Uncle Nearest, Breckenridge Distillery, Cathead Distillery, Highclere Castle Gin, Jeppson's Malort, CH Distillery, Blaum Bros); and THC-Infused Beverages Distribution to licensed retailers (Spire THC, Delta Cannabis Water, Cann, Cookies). Technology is intentionally minimal: the company uses DSDLink, a third-party online payment and account management platform, for customer invoice processing. The Romano family also operates charitable initiatives, including a longstanding partnership with One World Surgery.
Romano Beverage firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Romano Beverage
- Legal name
- RF Beverage, LLC
- Website
- https://romanobeverage.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Romano Beverage is a family-owned beverage distributor serving the entire State of Illinois, distributing premium wines, spirits, and THC-infused beverages from 100+ brand suppliers to restaurants and retailers since its 2018 re-establishment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Romano Beverage industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Alcoholic and THC Beverage Distribution
- NAICS
- Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Alcoholic Beverage Wholesale (Beer, Wine, Spirits) (AFAIAGAA)
Keywords
Where Romano Beverage is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Elmhurst
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Romano Beverage business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Distribution Margins: Romano Beverage generates revenue by purchasing wine, spirits, and THC-infused beverages from suppliers at wholesale prices and reselling them to retailers and restaurants at marked-up prices. The company serves as a middleman in the supply chain, earning margins on the difference between purchase and sale prices.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Romano Beverage product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Romano Beverage is a family-owned wholesale distributor that purchases fine wines, distilled spirits, and THC-infused beverages from brand suppliers and resells them to retailers and restaurants across the State of Illinois. The company leverages four generations of family industry experience to manage an extensive portfolio of established and exclusive brands and to provide reliable, on-premise delivery service to hospitality and retail accounts.
Product overview
Romano Beverage is a family-owned wine, spirits, and THC beverage distribution company serving the entire State of Illinois. The company operates as a next-generation spirits and wine business that distributes products from over 100 brand suppliers to retailers and restaurants throughout Illinois. The core offerings consist of three product categories: Fine Wines Distribution (international and domestic wineries), Spirits Distribution (whiskey, bourbon, tequila, mezcal, gin, vodka, rum), and THC-Infused Beverages Distribution (cannabis beverages). The company supplements its distribution services with DSDLink, an online payment platform for invoice management. The supplier portfolio spans major international wine producers, craft and established distilleries, and emerging THC beverage brands, enabling retailers to access both established brands and exclusive newer options through a single distribution partner.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Fine Wines Distribution Wholesale distribution of premium wines from international and domestic wineries to licensed retailers and restaurants throughout Illinois.
- Spirits Distribution Wholesale distribution of distilled spirits including whiskey, bourbon, tequila, mezcal, gin, vodka, and rum from established and craft producers to Illinois retailers and restaurants.
- THC-Infused Beverages Distribution Wholesale distribution of THC-infused cannabis beverages from emerging brands to licensed retailers throughout Illinois.
Companies that use Romano Beverage
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Romano Beverage technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Romano Beverage partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tilray BrandscoreTilray Brands entered into an Illinois distribution partnership with Romano Beverage. This partnership enables Tilray's products to be distributed through Romano Beverage's established network of retailers and restaurants across Illinois.
- One World SurgeryminorOne World Surgery, formerly known as Holy Family Surgery Center, is a nonprofit dedicated to providing surgical and primary care in developing countries. Founded by Peter Daly (whose wife is a Romano sister) along with the Hayeks and Koehlers. Romano Beverage partners with this charity as part of their community giving back initiatives. The Romano family has been involved since the organization's beginning.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Romano Beverage competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Southern Glaze's Wine and Spirits: The largest wine and spirits distributor in the United States and the direct acquirer of the predecessor Romano Brothers Beverage Co. (2002). Operates extensive wine, spirits, and beer distribution nationwide, including Illinois — making it the most direct scale and capability comparable.
- Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC): The second-largest wine and spirits distributor in the US, operating across more than 30 states including Illinois. Directly comparable business model (multi-state wine/spirits wholesale to on- and off-premise accounts) competing for the same supplier and retailer relationships.
- Breakthru Beverage Group: Large multi-state wine, spirits, and beer distributor formed from the merger of Southern Wine and Spirits' northeast operations and Glazer's. Comparable B2B distribution model and active competitor in the Illinois market.
- Johnson Brothers: Family-owned multi-state wine, spirits, and beer distributor with strong Midwest presence, including Illinois. Highly comparable as a fourth-generation family-owned wholesale distributor serving restaurants and retailers.
- Winebow: Specialty wine and spirits distributor with a portfolio-based distribution model comparable to Romano's 100+ supplier approach. Focus on premium and portfolio-driven on-premise and off-premise accounts makes it a close functional peer.
- Glazer's Distributors: Family-owned multi-state beverage distributor (now part of the Breakthru group) with comparable wine and spirits focus and supplier-relationship-led GTM. Useful comparable for premium supplier distribution depth.
- Skurnik Wines: Specialty importer and distributor of fine wines with a curated portfolio model very similar to Romano's 100+ supplier roster. Operates in multiple states including Illinois-adjacent markets, targeting premium restaurant and retailer accounts.
- The Country Vintner: Specialty wine and craft spirits distributor focused on the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Midwest. Comparable portfolio breadth and craft/premium supplier focus as Romano Beverage.
- Vias Imports: Importer and distributor of fine wines and specialty spirits to the US on-premise trade. Comparable as a portfolio-driven distributor serving restaurants and independent retailers, including Illinois markets.
Regional players
- Wirtz Beverage Group (Chicago): Family-owned Illinois-anchored beverage distributor and one of the largest beer distributors in the state. While beer-leaning rather than wine/spirits, it is one of the most direct regional competitors operating within Illinois' three-tier regulatory structure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Romano Beverage social profiles
Digital presenceRomano Beverage financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Romano Beverage leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Romano Beverage funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Romano Beverage M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Romano Beverage
What does Romano Beverage do?
Romano Beverage is a family-owned wholesale distributor that purchases fine wines, distilled spirits, and THC-infused beverages from brand suppliers and resells them to retailers and restaurants across the State of Illinois. The company leverages four generations of family industry experience to manage an extensive portfolio of established and exclusive brands and to provide reliable, on-premise delivery service to hospitality and retail accounts.
Is Romano Beverage a public or private company?
Romano Beverage is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Romano Beverage founded?
Romano Beverage was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Romano Beverage based?
Romano Beverage is headquartered in Elmhurst, United States, in the North America region.
How does Romano Beverage make money?
One revenue line is on record: distribution Margins.
Who are Romano Beverage's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Southern Glaze's Wine and Spirits, Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), Breakthru Beverage Group, Johnson Brothers, Winebow, Glazer's Distributors, Skurnik Wines, The Country Vintner and Vias Imports. Wirtz Beverage Group (Chicago) is listed as a regional player.
Does Romano Beverage have an API?
No public API is recorded for Romano Beverage.
What industry is Romano Beverage in?
Romano Beverage's product category is Alcoholic and THC Beverage Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAIAA, Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution, with a secondary code of AFAIAGAA, Alcoholic Beverage Wholesale (Beer, Wine, Spirits). Its NAICS code is 42482 and its SIC code is 5180.