Category: McLane

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Berkshire Hathaway’s McLane Company, Inc., one of America’s largest supply chain providers for retail and foodservice, has launched HiBird, a new premium chicken program designed specifically for convenience stores. The unveiling took place at McLane Engage, the company’s annual trade show, held July 22–24 in New Orleans.

HiBird is the latest addition to the McLane Fresh brand family and features a crave-worthy menu of chicken sandwiches, strips, potato wedges, and white cheddar mac and cheese. The lineup is highlighted by HiBird’s signature sauce—a creamy, tangy, mildly spicy take on the classic comeback sauce.

Engineered for ease of execution, HiBird offers turnkey support for retailers, including training, merchandising, and equipment, enabling stores to deliver restaurant-quality meals with minimal complexity. Products are adaptable to fryers or rapid cook ovens and boast long shelf lives, offering flexibility across store formats.

“We’re proud to introduce HiBird to help convenience retailers meet the growing demand for premium chicken,” said Vito Maurici, McLane’s Chief Customer Experience Officer. “The program is designed for speed and simplicity, making it easy to bring top-tier offerings to market.”

Engage 2024 features nearly 200 exhibitors, including Hershey and Altria, and highlights McLane’s Emerging Brands marketplace, which now spans 330 brands and 3,900 products. This includes recent category expansions in Health/Beauty/Wellness and General Merchandise. New beverage samplings include Kohana, a ready-to-drink coffee energy drink.

McLane’s private label subsidiary, Consumer Value Products Inc., also debuted updated products such as:

YUMBEES: A variety of chewy, gummy, and hard candies

Divinely Sweet: On-the-go mini cookie cups

Beau Dacious: Premium upcycled pet treats and toys

In addition to food and beverage innovations, McLane is spotlighting new data-driven tech tools designed to help retailers and suppliers make faster, smarter business decisions.

“This year’s Engage shows how we’re helping retailers of all sizes innovate and grow,” said Chris Smith, President of McLane Retail. “We’re not just a distributor—we’re a strategic partner committed to shaping the future of retail.”

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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McLane Company Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary and one of the nation’s largest distributors, has unveiled its new National Commissary program—a major expansion of its McLane Fresh offerings. Designed to deliver fresh, never-frozen, grab-and-go meals with a seven-day refrigerated shelf life, the program brings high-quality food options to convenience stores across the country.

“McLane’s new National Commissary program represents our investment in shaping the future of food in convenience retail,” said Jon Cox, vice president of retail foodservice at McLane. “It’s built for today’s consumers and delivers what operators need: safety, efficiency, and simplicity.”

The launch responds to growing demand for fresh food that rivals fast-casual and grocery store offerings. Under the Central Eats brand, the National Commissary line includes:

Cold handhelds like sandwiches, wraps, and sliders

Protein-packed snacks and sweet-and-salty combos

Health-conscious choices such as veggie cups, salads, oatmeal, and parfaits

Globally inspired flavors for adventurous eaters

All items are fresh, individually wrapped, and ready to merchandise in coolers or meal zones for all-day convenience—from breakfast through late-night.

Key to the program’s success is McLane’s nationwide commissary network and proprietary cold-chain logistics, which ensure consistent quality and food safety. Retailers benefit from flexible ordering, minimal in-store prep, and streamlined delivery integrated with McLane’s existing distribution schedule.

Major chains are already seeing the benefits. “Participating in McLane’s National Commissary program has allowed us to scale our grab-and-go foodservice offerings with premium, fresh items that align with our brand,” said Brian Ferguson, Chief Marketing Officer of EG America.

The program is positioned to help both national and independent retailers grow foodservice sales with ease, meeting modern consumer expectations without adding operational complexity.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s McLane Company, one of America’s largest distributors, is expanding its long-standing partnership with Wawa, a leading convenience store chain, to support Wawa’s rapid growth across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.

The enhanced partnership includes expanded distribution services from McLane’s Bluegrass center in Hebron, Kentucky, which will now supply new Wawa locations in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. This move aligns with Wawa’s broader strategy to enter and grow in new markets.

“For over 20 years, we’ve proudly partnered with Wawa,” said Vito Maurici, McLane’s Chief Customer Experience Officer. “This next step reflects our continued commitment to supporting their growth through our nationwide network and tailored product offerings.”

Wawa, known for its innovative foodservice and customer-centric approach, relies on McLane’s extensive distribution infrastructure, including over 80 centers nationwide, to meet increasing demand for fresh, high-quality convenience foods. McLane now services more than 1,100 Wawa stores from centers in Kentucky, Virginia, New Jersey, and Florida.

“As we expand into new regions, strong partnerships like the one with McLane help us deliver the service, quality, and value our customers expect,” said Brian Schaller, Wawa’s President. “Together, we’re bringing our best-in-class foodservice program to even more communities.”

McLane’s advanced logistics, technology, and cold chain capabilities will be key to ensuring Wawa maintains high service standards and operational efficiency as it grows its footprint.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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McLane Company, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary and one of America’s largest distributors, has announced its 2024 charitable giving results. With the help of its teammates, suppliers, and customers, McLane raised over $1 million for organizations including Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, United Way, Folds of Honor, and the North Texas Food Bank.

“McLane is proud to support organizations that make a tremendous impact in communities across the country,” said Larry Parsons, McLane’s Chief Administrative Officer. “These initiatives are fueled by the generous contributions and volunteer hours from our teammates, customers, and suppliers. We are deeply grateful for their collaboration and partnership.”

Throughout the year, McLane locations nationwide organized donation drives and events to support nonprofit organizations. The combined efforts of teammates and partners demonstrated McLane’s ongoing commitment to making a positive difference in the communities it serves.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s McLane Company, Inc., a leading U.S. distributor and key partner to major retail and restaurant brands, has its annual trade show this week, McLane Engage, in Nashville, Tennessee, with a refreshed format and several product announcements.

The event features keynote speaker Padma Lakshmi, renowned food expert and “Top Chef” personality, who will engage in a conversation with Farley Kaiser, McLane’s senior director of culinary innovation, about her career, cultural influences, and the future of retail foodservice.

This year’s McLane Engage reached full capacity for exhibitor space, with major brands like Hershey, Kraft Heinz, and Mars Wrigley showcasing a wide range of products. McLane’s digital marketplace, Emerging Brands, will feature several new exhibitors, expanding its offerings in health, beauty, wellness, and general merchandise.

Chris Smith, president of McLane Retail, highlighted the event’s role in showcasing industry innovation and providing suppliers with unique opportunities to present their latest products. McLane continues to evolve, aiming to stay ahead of industry trends and meet the changing needs of customers.

Attendees can look forward to new product launches, including McLane Fresh’s Better Case Bakery, a curated on-the-go bakery program, and a seasonal CupZa! pumpkin spice shot. McLane’s private label, Consumer Value Products, Inc., will also introduce new items from its Beau Dacious line of dog treats and accessories.

The three-day event includes educational sessions on AI in retail, convenience store design, and technology-driven transformation. It concludes with a farewell networking breakfast on Friday.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway-owned McLane Company Inc., one of the nation’s largest distributors and a key partner to retail and restaurant brands, has announced the grand opening of its Innovation Kitchen at its headquarters in Temple, Texas.

“We are excited to unveil the McLane Innovation Kitchen, a space that embodies our dedication to innovation, collaboration, and a world-class customer experience,” said Vito Maurici, McLane’s customer experience officer.

The state-of-the-art Innovation Kitchen is designed as a full-scale replica of a convenience store, showcasing cutting-edge retail foodservice equipment and products. It allows customers to see how various products and equipment fit into different store layouts and planograms. The space also highlights McLane Fresh, Emerging Brands, and CVP private label brands, offering customers the chance to sample products and explore marketing materials.

Beyond its showcase function, the Innovation Kitchen serves as a hub for development and innovation. The McLane Fresh team will use the space to conceptualize and test new menu items, catering to evolving consumer trends and customer requests. Customers are invited to sample these new creations, ensuring McLane stays at the forefront of product innovation and collaboration.

“This facility showcases our commitment to setting new standards for excellence in the industry and underscores our role as a trusted partner in our customers’ success,” Maurici added. “Through this platform for product testing, creation, and display, we have the opportunity to engage with customers at every stage of their retail foodservice journey.”

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway-owned McLane Company Inc., a major distributor and trusted partner to retail and restaurant brands across the US, has introduced a game-changing initiative: Emerging Brands. This innovative platform allows convenience store owners to swiftly broaden their product range with new, inventive, and trending brands.

Vito Maurici, McLane’s customer experience officer, emphasized the evolving preferences of today’s consumers, who seek personalized shopping experiences. Emerging Brands caters to this demand with its adaptable model, offering retailers of all sizes a top-notch platform to tap into the growing desire for unique products.

McKinsey & Company research highlights that a significant portion of shoppers actively seek out new brands and products. Emerging Brands responds to this trend by providing retailers access to a diverse array of offerings, including local, new-to-market, small-batch, and values-driven products not typically available through traditional distribution channels. These products span popular categories like alternative snacks, salty and sweet snacks, and packaged sweets and candy.

Moreover, Emerging Brands facilitates rapid product testing with minimal order requirements, streamlined processing, and warehouse-less drop shipping, all seamlessly integrated with McLane’s existing order and payment systems. Powered by technology partner Mable, the digital marketplace offers intuitive browsing features such as location-based searches, dietary preferences, brand values, and category sorting. Customers can also curate their favorites and receive personalized product recommendations based on their preferences.

Arik Keller, founder and CEO of Mable, underscored the partnership’s aim to create a seamless eCommerce platform connecting emerging brands with retailers. The drop ship model, coupled with integration with McLane’s product systems, ensures a hassle-free procurement process akin to ordering from McLane’s warehouse brands.

McLane’s commitment to providing tailored solutions for retail and restaurant clients encompasses everything from ordering and fulfillment to equipment and in-store merchandising. This initiative aims to empower smaller retailers while addressing logistical challenges faced by larger chains, ultimately enhancing the retail landscape with diverse and innovative offerings.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s McLane Company, Inc., a leading supply chain services company providing grocery and foodservice solutions, has launched McLane EDGE, a digital platform that offers marketing and merchandising insights, the latest sales-building programs, services, promotions, category trends, and new products, plus valuable information to help retail businesses grow in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.

The new digital platform combines McLane’s Strategic Merchandising Portal (SMP) and Strategic Merchandising Solutions Magazine (SMS) into one entity that is engaging and easy to navigate. The retailer can also order special offers and featured items directly from the McLane EDGE site.

McLane EDGE offers valuable, real-time information, such as:
• Featured items
• Special offers
• Category information
• Planograms
• Programs and services (Choice Chicken Program, Ready Pac Salads/Snacks, Fly Guys Pizza, etc.)
• News and Resources
• Videos and blogs (coming soon!)

McLane EDGE is a value add to current McLane customers. Current users of McLane’s Strategic Merchandising Portal (SMP) and Virtual Trade Show (VTS) can login to McLane EDGE with their existing credentials. New users can gain access to McLane EDGE by contacting their account manager or sales representative.

“McLane EDGE is now the place to turn for quick, up-to-the-minute information retailers need on marketing and merchandising, along with special offers that can be ordered right through the platform as well as news, planograms, and category info,” said Cassandra Matos, director of merchandising at McLane. “The digital age continues to revolutionize how strategic merchandising information is disseminated and acted on, and McLane is excited to be in the forefront.”

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.