Like many successful businesses that are known today, PFG Customized Distribution (formerly the Kenneth O. Lester Company) can be traced back to very humble beginnings and the tireless efforts and ingenuity of Mr. Kenneth O. Lester, Sr. The company came into existence in 1930 when, for $286, Mr. Lester bought a small produce business in Alexandria, Tennessee, which consisted of a 3/4 ton truck and goodwill. As with many depression era businesses, the going was tough during those early years, but the perseverance paid off. Following the depression in the late 30's, Mr. Lester moved the business from Nashville, Tennessee, where it operated for several years, to Lebanon, Tennessee.

In 1956, Mr. Lester's son, Kenneth O. Lester, Jr. joined his father's business as Vice President, assuming responsibilities in developing frozen foods which was a new product segment at that time. Under the leadership and hard work of this father-and-son team, the company grew steadily, and in the 1960's the decision was made to distribute to the foodservice industry instead of the retail grocery business. We have been serving the "away from home" eating industry ever since.

In 1968, Kenneth O. Lester, Sr. passed away and Kenneth O. Lester, Jr. became the president of the company. In 1988, the Kenneth O. Lester Company became part of the holding company known as Performance Food Group, Company (PFG), with Kenneth O. Lester, Jr. becoming Chairman of the Board.

In 1989, Mr. Thomas Hoffman, a management veteran in the foodservice industry became the third president in the company's history. This allowed Mr. Lester, Jr. to devote his full time and attention to directing the newly formed holding company which became publicly traded stock in August of 1993. Mr. Lester passed away in late 1994, and Mr. Robert Sledd, the president of PFG was appointed Chairman of the Board.

From a small, one-man operation in 1930, the company has grown into a full line foodservice distributor serving broadline customers within 200 miles of Lebanon and customized distribution customers in most of the United States. Our Broadline Distribution Center is located in Lebanon, TN. Our Customized Distribution Centers are located in Gainesville, FL; McKinney, TX; Lebanon, TN; Elkton, MD; Bakersfield, CA; Ft. Mill, SC; Westampton, NJ; and Kendallville, IN. Support Services located in Lebanon, TN, handles purchasing, accounting, information services, and other functions for all distribution centers.

A sense of pride and a will to "serve our customers" has always been the underlying theme of the PFG Customized Distribution. Dedication is a tradition of the company and is vital for our future success in the fast paced foodservice industry. The challenge of keeping up with this tradition by continuing to satisfy our customers is one that faces each associate of our company daily.