Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. (CD&R) and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (KKR) announced today a definitive agreement to acquire U.S. Foodservice, the second largest broadline foodservice distributor in the U.S., from Royal Ahold N.V. (NYSE: AHO). Funds affiliated with CD&R and KKR are equal partners in the transaction, valued at $7.1 billion.
With revenues in 2006 of more than $19 billion, U.S. Foodservice’s operations cover a geographic area in which over 95 percent of the U.S. population resides. The company provides food and related products to independent restaurants, healthcare and hospitality customers, educational institutions and prominent multi-unit restaurant companies.
Michael M. Calbert, a Member of KKR, stated, “KKR has a long history of acquiring industry-leading franchises. U.S. Foodservice has built one of the leading businesses in the foodservice distribution industry, with a wide range of growth and operational improvement opportunities. We and our partners at CD&R look forward to working with the company’s management team, which has done an excellent job of refocusing the business in recent years, to continue executing the strategic initiatives in place.”
“U.S. Foodservice is well positioned in a stable and growing industry that we know well from prior investments,” said Richard J. Schnall, the partner leading the transaction from CD&R. ”We plan to leverage the company’s strong national and local market positions in the nearly $200 billion U.S. foodservice industry to accelerate growth in both revenues and profitability. We are very pleased to be partnering with KKR and the company’s outstanding management team to build an even more valuable enterprise.”
“We are pleased to be partnering with two outstanding firms – two of the oldest private equity firms in the business – which have a great understanding of our industry, from both a financial and operating standpoint,” said Robert Aiken, President of U.S. Foodservice. “We have great confidence the strategic and financial support of these two firms will enable us to grow and better serve our customers.”
Completion of the transaction, which is expected to occur in the second half of the year, is subject to regulatory approvals, approval of Ahold’s shareholders and customary closing conditions.
Financing for the transaction is being provided by Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. and Royal Bank of Scotland.
Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley & Co. and Rabobank are acting as financial advisors to CD&R and KKR. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting as legal advisor to the buyers and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is acting as legal counsel in connection with the financing.
About KKR
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) is one of the world’s oldest and most experienced private equity firms specializing in management buyouts. Founded in 1976, it has offices in New York, Menlo Park, London, Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Throughout its history, KKR has brought a long-term investment approach to its portfolio companies, focusing on working in partnership with management teams and investing for future competitiveness and growth. Since its founding, KKR has completed more than 150 transactions with an aggregate value of over $279 billion. www.kkr.com.
About U.S. Foodservice
U.S. Foodservice is a recognized leader in the American foodservice industry, delivering food and related products to independent restaurants, healthcare and hospitality customers, educational institutions and prominent multi-unit restaurant companies. U.S. Foodservice is very well-suited to serve this market. U.S. Foodservice’s combination of customer focus, industry-leading commitment to service and a powerful portfolio of national and private label brands allows them to deliver exceptional value to every customer.