Performance Food Group Co., Richmond, Va., broke ground to expand its Performance Foodservice ‒ Lester food distribution facility in Lebanon, Tenn.

The expansion project will include construction of a 10,000-square-foot addition to the current operation at 401 Maddox-Simpson Parkway. The addition will pave the way for a significant increase in cooler capacity for products such as fresh meats and produce, and provide a new separate storage room for material handling equipment such as forklifts and pallet jacks. New warehouse racks and pick slots will be added in the dry goods warehouse where the equipment was previously stored. The project is expected to be completed by year-end and will likely result in the hiring of additional commercial truck drivers and warehouse workers.

“Our Lester team has done a great job growing their customer base with both multi-unit and independent restaurants over the past several years,” says Dave Flitman, president and CEO. “They’ve outgrown their existing cooler, so the additional cooler capacity and improved layout will position them for continuing growth well into the future.”

Performance Foodservice ‒ Lester distributes fresh meats and produce, dry groceries, refrigerated and frozen products and restaurant supplies to local and multi-chain restaurants, country clubs, daycare centers, hospitals, schools, nursing homes and correctional facilities primarily located in Tennessee, southern Kentucky and northern Alabama. The PFG facility currently employs approximately 280 people.

“By expanding our cooler capacity, we can add products that will enable us to tap into new restaurant segments vital to our continuing growth,” adds Jim Thompson, president of Performance Foodservice ‒ Lester. “This expansion will also result in an improved facility layout, which will increase our efficiency and enable us to better serve our customers. We’re excited about our future prospects and looking forward to growing our customer base, not only in Tennessee but [also] in the surrounding states as well.”