The pain felt by restaurant operators traveled down the entire supply chain and one of its first stops was food distributors. In the United States, Sysco, US Foods and Performance Group are considered the big three when it comes to broadline foodservice distributors. Collectively, they account for nearly $87 billion (€72 billion) in sales to more than 1.15 million restaurants and foodservice operators.

They also move millions of dollars' worth of seafood and, along with their customers, have had to pivot significantly during the pandemic.