Van Houtte And Filterfresh Announce Six New Acquisitions Of Beverage Service Companies
Following its announcement earlier this year of a joint venture with Corporate Coffee Systems, one of the preeminent coffee service operations in the New York market, Filterfresh continues to consolidate this market with their acquisition of Perfect Brew and Regal Coffee Services, New York City Routes, two coffee service operations located in the NY Metropolitan area. Both companies will be primarily integrated into Corporate Coffee Systems.
Perfect Brew was acquired from Anthony Catapano, who recently joined Filterfresh as National Business Development Representative for the OCS market.
Filterfresh has also acquired two of its franchises, Filterfresh Fairfield in Connecticut and Filterfresh Capital District, in Albany, New York. The latter was the original company franchise operation, opened in 1986. Filterfresh Fairfield will be integrated into Corporate Coffee Systems and Filterfresh Hartford, a company-owned operation. Filterfresh Albany/Capital District will be integrated into Filterfresh Atlantic Jersey, also a
company-owned operation.
The company has also entered into a joint venture with Chesapeake Coffee Connection, which operated as Filterfresh Chesapeake serving the Greater Baltimore area. This location will be consolidated with Filterfresh Northern Virginia, a company-owned operation serving the greater D.C. and Northern Virginia market. Corey Solender, the original owner operator of Filterfresh Chesapeake, will assume responsibility for the new consolidated Potomac operation. This will become Filterfresh's second largest operation in the US and will be owned 67.5% by Filterfresh and 32.5% by Chesapeake Coffee Connection
Additionally, Fast Break Coffee Service, owned by Steve Mazzoni of Filterfresh Bluegrass, has formed a joint venture with Midwest Coffee Service, a traditional coffee service program operator serving the greater St. Louis area. The new joint venture, which will be known as Midwest Wholesale Refreshment Service, LLC, will be owned 80% by Fast Break Coffee Service and 20% by Dick Glass, one of the current owners of Midwest Coffee Service, who will stay on to maintain the new operation. Filterfresh's current St. Louis operation, Filterfresh St. Louis, will remain open and operate separately from the new joint venture. These acquisitions will add $5.5 million in sales to US operations.
"These acquisitions are part of our ongoing efforts to reinforce the company's brand identity in the United States and remain closely involved in the day-to-day operations of all Filterfresh locations," said Roger Cohen, president of Filterfresh Coffee Service Inc. "We look forward to our continued, rapid growth in the U.S. marketplace and are particularly excited to be growing the greater Washington DC and St Louis Markets with our new partners."
About Van Houtte Inc.
Founded in 1919, Van Houtte is one of North America's leading gourmet coffee roasters, marketers and distributors. The Company markets its gourmet coffees across Canada and the U.S. through distribution channels that include coffee services, retail stores, café-bistros, online shopping and food services networks. (www.vanhoutte.com).
About Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc.
Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc., based in Westwood, Mass., is a subsidiary of Van Houtte Inc. The company, a pioneer in single-cup coffee makers, provides state-of-the-art equipment, beverages, programs and services to offices, manufacturing facilities, supermarkets, hotels, retailers and other places of employment. For further information on Filterfresh, its growth plans or franchise opportunities, visit the Web site at www.filterfresh.com.
Source: Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc.