In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, we sit down with Susan Adzick, President of McLane Restaurant—one of the largest systems distribution companies in the U.S.

Susan shares her journey from chemical manufacturing into foodservice distribution, reflecting on more than 25 years of leadership in an industry she loves for its people, challenges, and opportunities. She explains how McLane Foodservice has evolved through acquisitions, consolidations, and growth—while serving franchisees and restaurant partners across the country.

A central theme of the conversation is leading change, what it takes to guide organizations, customers, and teams through transitions while staying grounded in clarity, principles, and trust. Susan and Julien discuss how to build buy-in across an organization, the importance of recognizing frontline workers as “industrial athletes,” and why psychological safety and valuing perspectives at every level are critical to successful change management.

Topics covered include:

• Why people and passion drive success in foodservice distribution
• How IFDA creates community, advocacy, and opportunity for industry professionals
• The concept of “industrial athletes” and celebrating warehouse and driver teams
• Leading change with both the head and heart
• Building trust, clarity, and critical mass for transformation
• Strategy for change when things are working vs. when necessity forces innovation
• Creating psychological safety and valuing diverse perspectives
• Personal lessons on mentorship, handwritten recognition, and the power of coaching
• Why Susan defines her leadership style in one word: Coach

Find Susan Adzick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-adzick-a9012314 

More about this episode: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/episode/feeding-34000-restaurants-inside-americas-supply-chain/ 

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Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/