By PAT MAIO
Golden State Foods, one of the largest distributors to McDonald’s Corp. and one of Orange County’s largest privately held companies, is buying two distribution centers in a Midwest expansion.
The deal stands to add $500 million to Golden State’s $3 billion in yearly sales. Terms weren’t disclosed.
Irvine-based Golden State is buying warehouses in Lemont, Ill., and Whitewater, Wis., from food distributor Havi Group LP of Downers Grove, Ill.
Golden State already owns about 10 distribution centers, including a sprawling 270,000-square-foot center in City of Industry that handles everything from Happy Meals to promotional toys for McDonald’s.
Havi is a privately held company founded by Ted Perlman and Bob Rocque in 1974. Golden State is buying the distribution centers from Havi division Perlman-Rocque.
Perlman-Rocque decided in summer to exit the U.S. distribution business for McDonald’s.
Four Perlman-Rocque facilities were put up for sale following the decision. Two others are being sold to Keystone Foods LLC, which is buying the Greenfield, Ind., center, and Reyes Holdings LLC, which recently closed on its deal to buy one in Fridley, Minn.
Golden State is the largest liquid-products supplier and third-largest beef supplier to McDonald’s in the U.S., providing the chain with hundreds of products, including dressings, pancake syrup and ketchup. It services roughly a quarter of McDonald’s in the U.S.
The Perlman-Rocque distribution centers give it roughly 30% of all McDonald’s in the U.S. The fast-food chain makes up about 70% of Golden State’s business.
