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2018 Top Food Service Carriers

2018 Essential Management and Operating Information for the 100 Largest Private Carriers in North America

Up Front

Here’s how shippers are coping with an increasingly constrained freight market.
Find out which North American regions host the largest private carriers.
How shippers are making better use of their limited hauling capacity.

Rankings

Current Rank Company Tractors
1
Sysco Corp.
8,577
2
U.S. Foods
5,336
3
McLane Foodservice
2,178
4
Performance Foodservice
2,047
5
Gordon Food Service
1,519
6
Reinhart Foodservice
1,379
7
The Martin-Brower Co.
1,374
8
DOT Transportation
1,353
9
Ben E. Keith Co.
1,066
10
Food Services of America
714
11
Golden State Foods
681
12
Shamrock Foods Co.
655
13
KeHE Distributors
438
14
Maines Paper & Food Service
426
15
PFG Customized
418
16
G & J Transportation Services
373
17
Vistar Transportation
336
18
Buffalo Rock Co.
275
19
Domino's
273
20
Panera
256
21
Labatt Food Service
250
22
Blue Line Foodservice Distribution
247
23
Perdue Transportation Inc.
228
24
Lipari Foods
220
25
Trans Papa Logistics
173
26
Artic Glacier USA
143
27
QuikTrip Distribution
120
28
Blue Bell Creameries
89
29
Dutch Valley
70
30
Coastal Pacific Food Distributors
68
31
DPI Specialty Foods
66
32
Utz Quality Foods
51
33
Golden State Snack Foods
35
34
Jake's Finer Foods
32
35
Vendors Supply
29

Extras

Learn more about Transport Topics' Top 100 Private Carriers
103

On the Bubble

Crestwood Transportation (414 tractors), manages a nationwide network of trucks to distribute crude oil, condensate, water and natural gas liquids.
If your company appears in the 2018 list, you have a few ways to announce it! Visit our logo library to get web- and print-ready graphics.

Private Carrier News

GovernmentBusinessLogisticsPrivate

3,800 Workers Strike at JBS Meatpacking Plant in Colorado

The strike follows accusations from union officials that owner JBS USA retaliated against workers and committed other unfair labor practices amid contract negotiations. 

March 16, 2026
BusinessTechnologyLogisticsGlobal FreightPrivateTop 50Top 100

Amazon Moves Prime Day Into June From July

Amazon is moving up its annual Prime Day sale to June from July, according to sources, shifting the schedule for an event that’s become a big part of the e-commerce economy.

March 12, 2026
BusinessPrivate

Cintas Agrees to Buy Uniform Maker UniFirst in $5.5B Deal

UniFirst shareholders will receive $155 in cash and 0.7720 shares of Cintas stock for each UniFirst share they own, according to a statement on March 11.

March 11, 2026
BusinessLogisticsGlobal FreightPrivate

Amazon Raises $37B From US Bond Sale That Could Hit $50B

Amazon’s deal is the latest in a series of jumbo bond sales by hyperscalers as they plan to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in AI infrastructure. Investors have so far been eager buyers.

March 10, 2026
BusinessTechnologyEquipmentSafetyLogisticsFor-HirePrivate

Truck Drivers Seek Predictability as Freight Market Shifts

In 2025, drivers prioritized reliable execution and predictable outcomes over short-term incentives, especially regarding their equipment, miles, pay and communication.

March 6, 2026
GovernmentBusinessPrivate

Retail Sales Fell in January on Fewer Vehicle Purchases

The value of retail purchases decreased 0.2% after no change in December, Commerce Department data showed March 6. Excluding car dealers, sales were little changed.

March 6, 2026
BusinessPrivateTop 100

Costco Tops Earnings Forecast on Strong Shopper Demand

Costco Wholesale's quarterly profit rose more than expected, showing the club chain is capitalizing on an extended period of sales growth. 

March 5, 2026
BusinessTechnologyLogisticsGlobal FreightPrivateTop 50Top 100

Amazon Web Outage Strands Customers

Amazon.com's website and mobile app malfunctioned for some users March 5, with critical features like product listings and checkout options producing error pages. 

March 5, 2026
GovernmentBusinessPrivateTop 100

Beef Prices Spur Senate Drive to Split Meat Giants

The U.S. meatpacking industry faces a new wave of scrutiny, this time from Senate Democrats seeking to allow companies to process only one type of meat and set stricter limits on the beef market.

March 5, 2026
BusinessPrivate

Kroger Offers Cautious Sales Forecast as New CEO Takes Over

The disappointing outlook suggests that competition is intensifying among food retailers to grab spending from cost-conscious consumers, raising the stakes for CEO Greg Foran to accelerate growth. 

March 5, 2026