M. J. Kellner Foodservice

What M. J. Kellner Foodservice does

M.J. Kellner Foodservice (legal entity: M.J. Kellner Co., Inc.) is a full-line food service distributor headquartered in Springfield, Illinois, operating from a 90,000 sq. ft. facility opened in 2008. The company distributes center-of-plate foods, frozen goods, dairy, produce, dry goods, snacks, and beverages; supplies commercial kitchen equipment and smallwares; provides chemical and sanitation products; and offers 24/7 repair and maintenance services. Its customer base spans bar & grills, coffee shops & cafés, healthcare and senior living facilities, K-12 schools, bakeries, and independent restaurants across the regional market, served through direct account sales, will-call pickup, and a customer portal (MJ Kellner Connect) powered by PepR.

The business is organized into five divisions — Food Service, Beverage, Chemical, Equipment & Smallwares, and Repair & Maintenance — each with dedicated sales support. Pricing is quote-based; credit cards are accepted with a 3% service fee, with ACH offered at no charge to account customers. A complementary revenue stream is ServSafe Food Service Manager Certification training at $150 per student. The company is a member of UniPro Foodservice, the largest independent foodservice purchasing organization, providing aggregated scale across 650+ member companies and $58B+ in collective sales.

Ownership transitioned from family-held to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 2013, preserving independence through third-generation leadership under President Bill Kellner. The company maintains an active social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), an email newsletter program, and resources for customers including downloadable guides and food shows. No venture capital, private equity, or institutional investor ownership is disclosed.

Name

M. J. Kellner Foodservice

Legal name

M.J. Kellner Co., Inc.

Website

https://mjkellner.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1915

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

M.J. Kellner Foodservice is an employee-owned (ESOP) full-line regional food service distributor based in Springfield, Illinois, serving bar & grills, coffee shops, healthcare, K-12 schools, bakeries, and independent restaurants across food, beverage, chemical, equipment, and repair categories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foodservice Distribution

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional/Local Broadline Foodservice Distributors (AFAIAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Noncommercial/Institutional Broadline Distributors (K-12, Higher Ed, Healthcare, Government) (AFAIAAAC)

Keywords

• Food service distribution
• Broadline foodservice supply
• Commercial kitchen equipment
• Beverage program management
• Foodservice sanitation solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield, Illinois

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Food Service Distribution: Core revenue stream from distributing food products including center-of-plate essentials, frozen goods, dairy, dry goods, snacks, and beverages to food service operators.
2. Equipment and Smallwares: Revenue from commercial kitchen equipment, smallwares, and supplies with hands-on support including kitchen design, equipment selection, and quoting services.
3. Chemical and Sanitation Products: Full-line chemical and sanitation solutions including warewashing products, floor care, hand soaps, disinfectants, and cleaning systems with service support.
4. Beverage Program: Beverage products and programs including coffee, tea, smoothies, syrups, sauces, and equipment solutions supported by a dedicated beverage specialist.
5. Repair and Maintenance Services: Equipment repair and maintenance services including refrigeration, cooking, dish, ice equipment service with 24/7 emergency support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

M.J. Kellner is a full-line food service distributor selling food products, beverages, commercial kitchen equipment and smallwares, and chemical/sanitation supplies to food service operators, complemented by equipment repair and maintenance services with 24/7 emergency support. The company provides integrated solutions across five divisions—Food Service, Beverage, Chemical, Equipment & Smallwares, and Repair & Maintenance—enabling operators to source nearly all kitchen and front-of-house needs from a single regional distributor. Revenue is generated through account-based product sales plus service fees for repair work and ServSafe food safety certification classes.

Product overview

M.J. Kellner is a full-line food service distributor offering integrated solutions across food service, beverage, chemical, and equipment divisions. The company operates as a broadline distributor serving operators across the region, providing products, programs, and support to keep kitchens running efficiently. The core offerings include: Food Service Distribution (center-of-the-plate essentials, frozen goods, dairy, produce, snacks, and more), Beverage Program (coffee, espresso, tea, smoothies, syrups and flavor systems), Chemical and Sanitation Solutions (warewashing, cleaning, and sanitation products), Equipment and Smallwares (commercial kitchen equipment and supplies with design support), and Repair and Maintenance Services (equipment service with 24/7 emergency support). The company also provides access to an extensive product catalog through their MJ Kellner Connect portal, offers monthly specials and new product introductions, and as a member of UniPro Foodservice provides customers with enhanced purchasing power and access to national and private label brands through partnerships with Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze brand partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Food Service Distribution Full-line wholesale distribution of food products including appetizers, cheese, dairy, fresh produce, dry goods, frozen goods, snacks, and meat/center-of-plate items for food service operators.
• Beverage Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Customer will call hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm, Saturday 8am-Noon
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

49 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• UniPro Foodservice, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMJ Kellner is a proud member of UniPro Foodservice, the nation's largest purchasing, marketing, and operating services organization for independent foodservice distributors. UniPro comprises over 650 shareholder companies with over 900 locations and a collective sales volume of over $58 billion. This membership provides enhanced purchasing opportunities, better pricing, and access to a vast array of products and services.
• McCain FoodsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner providing premium frozen potato products for foodservice distribution.
• BrakebushflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner providing quality poultry and food products for wholesale distribution.
• DartSoloflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner providing food service containers and packaging solutions.
• Prairie FarmsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner, farmer-owned dairy cooperative providing wholesale dairy distribution.
• Baron Spices & SeasoningscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner providing commercial spices and seasonings for foodservice distributors.
• Rotella's Italian BakerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner providing wholesale bakery products for foodservice distribution.
• Hormel Foods FoodservicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner providing leading food products for commercial foodservice distribution.
• Smithfield CulinarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner providing premium meat products for wholesale food distributors.
• Tyson and Hillshire BrandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner providing major food products for wholesale food distribution.
• United Fruit & Produce Co.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold partner providing produce distribution for wholesale food supply industry.
• Lamb WestoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner, leading global potato processor providing foodservice products.
• IdahoancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner providing premium potato products for foodservice distribution.
• Red Diamond Coffee & TeacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner providing wholesale coffee and tea for foodservice distributors.
• Marzetti FoodservicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner providing food products for commercial restaurants and foodservice.
• GonnellacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner established 1886, providing wholesale bread and baked goods for foodservice.
• Stanislaus Food ProductscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner providing food products for foodservice distribution.
• AjinomotocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner providing food ingredients for foodservice and food processing.
• Resers FoodservicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner providing food distribution for commercial foodservice.
• KellanovaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, global food manufacturer serving foodservice industry.
• General MillsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, major food manufacturer for foodservice industry.
• Kraft Heinz Away From HomeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, leading food supplier brand for commercial foodservice.
• McCormickminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, leading global food seasoning and spice supplier.
• ToraniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, leading supplier of syrups and flavorings for food service.
• Conagra FoodserviceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, major food manufacturing and distribution company.
• High Liner FoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, leading seafood distributor for foodservice distribution.
• Trident SeafoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, premium seafood wholesale distribution supplier.
• Sara Lee Frozen BakeryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, wholesale frozen bakery products for food service.
• Rich'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, food service brand providing wholesale food products.
• Kerry FoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, major food manufacturing and distribution company.
• TreeHouse FoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, major food distributor and manufacturer for foodservice.
• CJ Schwan'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, major food distribution and wholesale supplier.
• Ventura FoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, leading wholesale food distributor and supplier.
• Lake Erie Frozen FoodsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner providing fresh vegetables and frozen food products.
• Campbell's Culinary ReserveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner providing premium culinary solutions.
• R.J. Schinner Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, leading foodservice distributor for commercial kitchens.
• Branding IronminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner providing foodservice supply and distribution solutions.
• Kent Precision Foods GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, leading wholesale food supplier and distributor.
• Baker BoyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, commercial bakery for food service distribution.
• Ellsworth WisconsinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner specializing in premium dairy products including hand-breaded cheese curds.
• Wampler's Farm SausageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner providing quality sausage products for foodservice.
• RedGoldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, quality food supplier established since 1942.
• BridgfordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, trusted food supplier for commercial foodservice.
• CH Guenther & Son IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, leading wholesale food supplier for commercial foodservice.
• Aspire BakeriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, commercial bakery food manufacturing and wholesale distribution.
• LouisaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, specialty filled pasta products for food distributors.
• Ken's Family Owned CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, family-owned wholesale food supplier and distributor.
• JTM Food GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBronze partner, leading food distributor and supplier for commercial foodservice.
• R3coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner providing food service distribution solutions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Shamrock Foods Company: Family-owned broadline foodservice distributor operating a regional distribution model with integrated food, beverage, and dairy offerings — structurally similar to M.J. Kellner's multi-decade, multi-division regional distribution approach.
• Gordon Food Service: One of the largest family-owned broadline foodservice distributors in North America, serving restaurants, schools, healthcare, and other operators with food, beverage, and equipment — directly comparable to M.J. Kellner's integrated distribution model.
• Renzi Foodservice: Regional broadline foodservice distributor serving upstate New York and New England with food, beverage, and equipment — comparable independent regional broadline distributor with similar multi-vertical customer mix.
• Cheney Brothers: Regional broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, schools, healthcare, and hospitality across the Southeast — closely comparable broadline distributor model with similar customer verticals and integrated product offering.
• Ben E. Keith Foods: Regional broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, schools, and healthcare with food, beverage, and equipment across the South-central US — comparable regional broadline footprint and customer segments to M.J. Kellner.
• Nicholas & Company: Independent, family-rooted broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, schools, and healthcare in the Intermountain West — comparable multi-generational, broadline distributor profile to M.J. Kellner.

Broad incumbents

• US Foods: Top-tier national broadline foodservice distributor with broad product assortment, private label, and digital ordering — represents the scaled competitor that regional distributors like M.J. Kellner compete against for share of wallet.
• Performance Food Group: Major national broadline foodservice distributor with deep institutional (K-12, healthcare) presence — broad incumbent in the same verticals M.J. Kellner serves, indicative of both competitive pressure and the size of the institutional segment.
• Sysco Corporation: Largest broadline foodservice distributor in North America, serving the same operator verticals (restaurants, healthcare, education) — the dominant incumbent that competes with regional distributors like M.J. Kellner for both local and national accounts.

Others

• UniPro Foodservice, Inc. Purchasing, marketing, and operating services cooperative for independent foodservice distributors — not a competitor but the cooperative network M.J. Kellner belongs to; comparable as a context for the economics and scale of independent broadline distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mjkellnerco
• Instagraminstagram.com/mjkellnerco
• TikToktiktok.com/@mjkellnerco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/m-j-kellner-foodservice

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 M. J. Kellner Foodservice