Vending

Five Star Food Service acquires Corso’s vending business, boosts Mississippi presence

Image: Adobe Stock.

March 10, 2023

Five Star Food Service Inc., a Chatanooga, Tennessee-based provider of away-from-home food and beverage retail solutions for employers and other commercial, institutional and educational locations throughout the Southeast and a Canteen franchisee, has acquired vending routes from F.P. Corso, Inc., an independent wholesale convenience store distributor and full-line vending operator based in Biloxi, Mississippi, according to a press release. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

"Corso has had decades of success building a quality business serving the needs of the convenience store and vending customers in the region," Richard Kennedy, Five Star's president and CEO, said in the press release. "We are excited for the opportunity to bring aboard their vending business and continue to grow our base in Mississippi."

Corso Inc. has been family-owned and operated since its founding in 1924 by Frank P. Corso, Sr. The company was originally a wholesale distributor of cigars, tobacco, candy, castor oil and other products.

In 1952, Corso added full-line vending to his convenience store distribution operation. Today, the company is owned and operated by his daughter, Liz Corso Joachim, and her children. The company is expected to continue to operate out of its current location in Biloxi as Corso Inc. primarily as a wholesale distributor for convenience retailers.

"The addition of the new vending routes from Corso presents a tremendous growth opportunity for us," Greg McCall, chief revenue officer for Five Star, said in the press release. "We anticipate a high potential for growth through optimization and conversion. Also, with more route trucks on the road and customer stops, we will increase our brand awareness and recognition, which we are excited about."