Xceed Foodservice Group (“Xceed”), a portfolio company of San Francisco Equity Partners (SFEP), has announced a new strategic investment in Encore Food Solutions, marking a significant step in the company’s continued expansion across the United States. With this latest addition, Xceed extends its geographic footprint into the key markets of Texas and Oklahoma, further strengthening its position as a rapidly growing platform in the foodservice brokerage sector. The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Founded with a vision to redefine the foodservice brokerage landscape, Xceed has been actively pursuing a growth strategy centered on strategic partnerships, operational excellence, and the integration of data-driven insights. The investment in Encore Food Solutions represents the eleventh transaction completed by Xceed since its formation in 2024, underscoring the company’s commitment to scaling its capabilities and building a comprehensive, nationwide network.
Encore Food Solutions has established itself as a respected regional player, known for its strong relationships with both clients and customers, as well as its deep understanding of the local foodservice ecosystem. The company’s leadership team, led by owner Paul Heinrich, will remain in place following the investment, ensuring continuity in operations and preserving the expertise that has driven Encore’s success. In addition, the Encore management team will retain an equity stake in Xceed, aligning their interests with the broader platform and reinforcing a shared commitment to long-term growth.
Paul Heinrich expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the alignment between the two organizations’ values and strategic objectives. He noted that Xceed’s emphasis on leveraging data and promoting transparency within the brokerage process presents a compelling opportunity for Encore to enhance its service offerings and accelerate its growth trajectory. By joining forces with Xceed, Encore gains access to a broader client base and expanded resources, enabling it to deliver greater value to its partners throughout the southern United States.
Heinrich also emphasized the cultural and operational synergies between the two companies. Both organizations share a strong focus on customer service, relationship-building, and delivering measurable results for clients. This alignment is expected to facilitate a smooth integration process and create a solid foundation for future collaboration. As part of the Xceed platform, Encore will be well-positioned to expand its reach while maintaining the personalized approach that has been central to its identity.
From Xceed’s perspective, the addition of Encore Food Solutions represents a strategic move to deepen its presence in high-growth markets and enhance its ability to serve clients on a national scale. Texas and Oklahoma are important regions within the U.S. foodservice industry, offering significant opportunities for growth across multiple segments, including restaurants, hospitality, healthcare, and institutional foodservice. By establishing a foothold in these markets, Xceed strengthens its network and improves its capacity to deliver comprehensive coverage to its clients.
Darin Pounds, CEO of Xceed, expressed confidence in the partnership and highlighted the strengths that Encore brings to the platform. He pointed to the company’s strong reputation, experienced leadership team, and proven track record of delivering results as key factors that make it an ideal addition to the Xceed network. According to Pounds, the shared commitment to client success and operational excellence will be instrumental in driving the combined organization forward.
Pounds also noted that the partnership aligns with Xceed’s broader mission of building a best-in-class foodservice brokerage organization. By integrating high-quality regional firms like Encore, Xceed aims to create a unified platform that combines local expertise with national scale. This approach enables the company to offer its clients a more consistent and effective service experience, while also leveraging data and technology to improve decision-making and performance.
The investment reflects a growing trend within the foodservice brokerage industry, where consolidation and strategic partnerships are becoming increasingly important for achieving scale and competitiveness. As manufacturers and distributors seek more efficient and transparent ways to reach their customers, brokerage firms are evolving to meet these demands by adopting more sophisticated tools and expanding their geographic reach.
Xceed’s partnership with Encore is a clear example of this evolution in action. By bringing together complementary strengths and resources, the two companies are positioned to deliver enhanced value to their clients, support the growth of their partners, and navigate the complexities of an increasingly dynamic market environment.
Looking ahead, Xceed is expected to continue its expansion strategy, seeking additional partnerships that align with its vision and values. The company’s focus on data-driven insights, customer-centric service, and strategic growth initiatives will remain central to its approach as it works to establish itself as a leader in the foodservice brokerage space.
For Encore Food Solutions, the partnership represents a new chapter of growth and opportunity. With the support of Xceed and SFEP, the company is well-equipped to build on its strong foundation, expand its capabilities, and play a key role in shaping the future of the industry in the regions it serves.
Overall, the investment highlights the ongoing transformation of the foodservice brokerage sector and underscores the importance of collaboration, innovation, and scale in driving success. As Xceed and Encore move forward together, their combined strengths are expected to create meaningful benefits for clients, partners, and stakeholders across the foodservice ecosystem.
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