Colabor
Colabor (Groupe Colabor Inc., TSX: GCL) is a Quebec-based foodservice distributor founded in 1962 that supplies more than 10,000 SKUs to restaurants, hotels, institutions, and grocers across Quebec via five distribution centers and proprietary PCI/PGS ordering portals, anchored by the MENU and Les Pêcheries Norref private labels.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1962
- HeadquartersSaint-bruno-de-montarville, Canada
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Colabor does
Colabor (legal entity: Groupe Colabor Inc., TSX: GCL) is a Quebec-based foodservice distributor founded in 1962 that supplies more than 10,000 food and non-food SKUs to restaurants, hotels, institutions, independent distributors, and grocery/convenience operators across the province. The company operates five physical distribution points — Saint-Bruno, Lévis, Rimouski, Chicoutimi, and the Norref seafood division in Montreal — supported by a wholly-owned trucking subsidiary (Transport Paul-Émile Dubé Ltée.). Its commercial platform is built around two proprietary web portals: the PCI customer portal for end clients and the PGS global services portal for independent distributor partners, with an inventory-management integration to Restock for automated replenishment.
The product portfolio is organized into nine foodservice categories (grocery, proteins, produce, fish and seafood, dairy and eggs, ready-to-eat, bakery, beverages, non-food) and is anchored by two exclusive private-label brands: MENU, covering prepared foods, fries, and bakery items, and Les Pêcheries Norref, the fresh fish and seafood line. Pricing is transactional and quoted on a per-order basis, with "competitive pricing through volume purchasing" as the stated value proposition, complemented by dedicated field sales representatives and marketing via trade events such as the Salon de la restauration and the Causerie Gourmande video series.
In January 2026, the parent and three operating subsidiaries (Transport Paul-Émile Dubé Ltée., Le Groupe Resto-Achats Inc., and Norref Fisheries Quebec Inc.) filed for protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), with Raymond Chabot Inc. appointed as monitor. In April 2026, the company announced the conclusion of its Sale and Investment Solicitation Process (SISP) and the execution of definitive agreements emerging from the court-supervised process, indicating that a sale, refinancing, or recapitalization is the central strategic variable for the business going forward.
Colabor firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Colabor
- Legal name
- Groupe Colabor Inc.
- Website
- https://colabor.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1962
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Colabor (Groupe Colabor Inc., TSX: GCL) is a Quebec-based foodservice distributor founded in 1962 that supplies more than 10,000 SKUs to restaurants, hotels, institutions, and grocers across Quebec via five distribution centers and proprietary PCI/PGS ordering portals, anchored by the MENU and Les Pêcheries Norref private labels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Colabor industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Foodservice Distribution
- NAICS
- Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (4248)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141), Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Regional/Local Broadline Foodservice Distributors (AFAIAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Non-Alcoholic Beverage Wholesale (Soft Drinks, Water, Juice, RTD Coffee/Tea) (AFAIAGAB), Bar, Restaurant & On-Premise Beverage Supply Wholesale (AFAIAGAI)
Keywords
Where Colabor is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint-bruno-de-montarville
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Colabor business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Food Product Distribution: Distribution of over 10,000 food and non-food products to restaurants, hotels, institutions, independent distributors, and grocery stores. Revenue generated through product sales at competitive prices with delivery services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Colabor product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Colabor is a Quebec-based food distributor that supplies more than 10,000 food and non-food products to restaurants, hotels, institutions, independent distributors, and grocery stores across the province. The company operates multiple distribution centers (Saint-Bruno, Lévis, Rimouski, Chicoutimi, Montreal) and sells under two exclusive private label brands, MENU and Les Pêcheries Norref, supported by proprietary online ordering portals (PCI for customers, PGS for distributor partners).
Product overview
Colabor is a Quebec-based food distributor serving restaurants, hotels, institutions, and grocers with over 10,000 food and non-food products. The company operates through two proprietary online ordering platforms: the PCI Portal (Portail de Commande Internet) for end customers and the PGS Portal (Portail Global de Services) for distributor partners. Their product portfolio is organized into 9 main categories (Grocery, Proteins, Produce, Fish & Seafood, Dairy & Eggs, Ready-to-Eat, Bakery, Beverages, Non-Food) and includes two exclusive private labels: MENU for prepared foods, bakery items, and grocery products; and Les Pêcheries Norref for fresh fish and seafood. The company operates distribution centers across Quebec (Saint-Bruno, Lévis, Rimouski, Chicoutimi) and offers 24/7 online ordering with customer-focused sales representatives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MENU: Private label brand offering a wide range of food products including fries, bakery items, proteins, and grocery products.
- Les Pêcheries Norref
Products and services
- Food Distribution Services Core foodservice distribution service providing over 10,000 products to restaurants, hotels, institutions, independent distributors, and grocery stores across Quebec, with reliable on-time delivery, competitive pricing, and dedicated sales representatives.
- MENU Private Label Brand Exclusive private label brand offering prepared foods, fries, bakery items, proteins, and grocery products at competitive prices to foodservice professionals across Quebec, with an emphasis on local Quebec sourcing.
- Les Pêcheries Norref (Norref Fisheries)
Companies that use Colabor
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Colabor technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature2 records
Colabor partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Raymond Chabot Inc.minorCourt-appointed monitor for CCAA restructuring proceedings initiated January 8, 2026. Provided oversight during the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act proceedings.
- Saint-ArneaultcoreExclusive collaboration for 100% Quebec-grown potato fries under the MENU private brand. Saint-Arneault provides potato processing expertise while MENU/Colabor handles distribution to Quebec foodservice establishments. The partnership guarantees a fully local supply chain from farm to kitchen.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Colabor competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Gordon Food Service: Gordon Food Service is a major family-owned broadline foodservice distributor with strong Canadian presence, serving restaurants, hotels, and institutions across multiple provinces. Operates distribution centers and offers exclusive private-label products comparable to MENU and Les Pêcheries Norref.
- Flanagan Foodservice: Flanagan Foodservice is one of Canada's largest family-owned broadline foodservice distributors, headquartered in Ontario serving customers across Ontario and Western Canada. Direct competitor in the broadline foodservice distribution space with comparable product breadth and customer segments.
Broad incumbents
- US Foods: US Foods is a large publicly-traded broadline foodservice distributor in the United States, serving restaurants and institutional customers. While primarily U.S.-focused, it represents a comparable business model and competitive benchmark for Canadian operators.
- Performance Food Group: Performance Food Group operates broadline foodservice distribution across North America through its Performance Foodservice segment. Comparable in scale and category breadth; serves restaurants, healthcare, and educational institutions similar to Colabor's segments.
- Sysco Corporation: Sysco is the largest broadline foodservice distributor in North America, with significant operations across Canada including Quebec. Highly comparable direct competitor serving restaurants, hotels, and institutions with multi-category food and non-food distribution.
Others
- Metro Inc. Metro Inc. is a major Quebec-based grocery and pharmacy retailer with deep provincial roots. While a retailer rather than distributor, it shares Quebec geographic concentration and benefits from local sourcing trends that also drive Colabor's MENU private-label strategy.
- Empire Company (Sobeys): Empire Company owns Sobeys, Safeway, and other grocery banners across Canada including Quebec. Comparable as a Canadian food distributor/retailer serving grocery and convenience segments that overlap with Colabor's grocery customer base.
Regional players
- Centennial Foodservice: Centennial Foodservice is a Western Canadian broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, hotels, and institutions primarily in Alberta and BC. Comparable broadline distribution model but operates in different geography than Quebec-focused Colabor.
Emerging players
- Highliner Foods: Highliner Foods is Canada's largest seafood processor and a leading North American frozen seafood brand. Comparable to Les Pêcheries Norref's fish and seafood product focus and shared Canadian food industry presence.
- Restaurant Depot: Restaurant Depot is a cash-and-carry foodservice supply warehouse club serving restaurants and foodservice operators. While primarily U.S.-based, it represents an alternative distribution model for foodservice customers that competes for the same SMB restaurant segment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Colabor social profiles
Digital presenceColabor financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Colabor leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Colabor subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Colabor funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Colabor 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 Colabor
What does Colabor do?
Colabor is a Quebec-based food distributor that supplies more than 10,000 food and non-food products to restaurants, hotels, institutions, independent distributors, and grocery stores across the province. The company operates multiple distribution centers (Saint-Bruno, Lévis, Rimouski, Chicoutimi, Montreal) and sells under two exclusive private label brands, MENU and Les Pêcheries Norref, supported by proprietary online ordering portals (PCI for customers, PGS for distributor partners).
Is Colabor a public or private company?
Colabor is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Colabor founded?
Colabor was founded in 1962. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Colabor based?
Colabor is headquartered in Saint-bruno-de-montarville, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Colabor make money?
One revenue line is on record: food Product Distribution.
Who are Colabor's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Gordon Food Service and Flanagan Foodservice. Broad incumbents are US Foods, Performance Food Group and Sysco Corporation. Others are Metro Inc. and Empire Company (Sobeys). Centennial Foodservice is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Highliner Foods and Restaurant Depot.
Does Colabor have an API?
No public API is recorded for Colabor.
What industry is Colabor in?
Colabor's product category is Foodservice Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAIAAAB, Regional/Local Broadline Foodservice Distributors, with a secondary code of AFAIAGAB, Non-Alcoholic Beverage Wholesale (Soft Drinks, Water, Juice, RTD Coffee/Tea). Its NAICS code is 4248 and its SIC code is 5141.