Frontenac Partners with Leading Foodservice Distributor, City Line Distributors

Chicago-based private equity firm, Frontenac, has announced a new partnership with City Line Distributors, a prominent foodservice distribution platform based in New England. This collaboration aims to drive growth and expansion for City Line by forming partnerships with other independent distributors in the Northeast.

City Line has been operating for over 75 years, providing comprehensive foodservice solutions to independent restaurateurs and food establishments across Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and Massachusetts. The company has developed a customer-oriented approach that sets it apart in the industry. With a focus on exceptional service, specialty SKUs, and branding and marketing, City Line continues to differentiate itself from broadline distributors that are consolidating the market.

Robert Berkowitz, CEO of City Line, expressed excitement about the partnership with Frontenac, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with Sean and the Frontenac team as I lead City Line through our next stage of growth. Sean’s industry experience combined with Frontenac’s history of partnering with family-owned businesses made them an ideal partner for City Line."

Frontenac's CEO1ST™ partner and food distribution veteran, Sean Griffin, shared his enthusiasm about working with City Line. He highlighted the unique foodservice scene in the Northeast, which is home to numerous independent restaurants seeking differentiated service and products. Griffin emphasized the goal of aligning with these values and providing an opportunity for other privately held distributors in the region to preserve their heritage and find liquidity.

The partnership between Frontenac and City Line is expected to enhance the operational strengths of the company while preserving its impressive legacy. Frontenac, known for its executive-centric approach called CEO1ST, focuses on investing in lower middle market buyout transactions in the consumer, industrial, and services industries. With over 50 years of experience, Frontenac has worked with over 300 mid-sized businesses, addressing issues such as liquidity, management enhancement, and growth planning.

Betsy Williamson, a Managing Director at Frontenac, expressed her admiration for City Line, stating, "We feel honored to partner with the City Line team. They have built an exceptional foodservice distribution company that has prioritized delivering top-notch customer experience for more than three generations."

The transaction's legal counsel was provided by DLA Piper LLP, a renowned law firm. The collaboration between Frontenac and City Line is expected to strengthen both companies' positions in the foodservice distribution industry and create new opportunities for growth and expansion.

About City Line: Founded in 1930, City Line is a third-generation family-owned and operated full-service food distributor headquartered in New Haven, CT. The company is a trusted partner to hundreds of independent restaurant operators across the Northeast, servicing 20+ counties across four primary states.

About Frontenac: Frontenac is a Chicago-based private equity firm that focuses on investing in lower middle market buyout transactions in the consumer, industrial, and services industries. The firm works in partnership with established operating leaders through its CEO1ST approach, which seeks to identify, acquire, and build market-leading companies through transformational acquisitions and operational excellence. With over 50 years of experience, Frontenac has built a strong reputation for helping mid-sized businesses navigate complex transition issues and achieve their growth potential.

For more information, please visit www.frontenac.com and www.citylinefoods.com.