Ron Dennis, president and owner of Dennis Paper and Food Service, a family owned and operated foodservice company based in Hampden, Maine, announced that effective Jan. 1, 2015, he is selling the company to its employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). As owners, employees will make decisions to strengthen service levels, efficiencies and aggressive growth strategies. One hundred percent of the profits from the company will be distributed to employees.

From its humble beginnings 106 years ago, Dennis Paper & Food Service has grown to become one of the largest independently-owned foodservice distributors in New England and a shareholder in UniPro Foodservice, an Atlanta-based foodservice cooperative.

The decision to keep Dennis an independent, locally owned company provides a stable and reliable relationship between owners, customers and suppliers. This change of ownership will not affect the governance, company culture or organizational structure. Dennis will continue to be actively involved in the day-to-day operations.

Dennis Paper and Food Service distributes fresh meats, seafood, dairy, produce and frozen foods, among other items, to family style and fine dining restaurants, convenience stores, schools, delis, ice cream takeouts, catering and healthcare facilities.