Five Star Food Service acquires Gulf Coast Canteen

Five Star Food Service, a franchise of Compass Group company Canteen, has announced the acquisition of Alabama-based vending operator Gulf Coast Canteen for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition will expand Five Star’s vending and workplace food and beverage services further into Alabama and marks the company’s entry into Florida – adding branches in Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida.

Founded in 1961 as Central Vending, before merging with Mobile Vending in 1999, Gulf Coast Canteen eventually became a Canteen franchise in 2001.

“We are honoured by the opportunity to establish ourselves in the Mobile and Pensacola markets through this strategic acquisition,” said Five Star’s president and CEO, Richard Kennedy.

Five Star’s chief revenue officer, Gregory McCall, added: “We are excited about the entry into two new geographic markets and the opportunities we have ahead of us to develop the existing base business, add new on top and grow profitably”.

The takeover marks Five Star’s 19th acquisition and sixth territory expansion in four years.