This Series is Sponsored by BMO

In the first episode of the “Foodservice Gamechangers” series, Food Institute advisor Pat Mulhern speaks with UniPro Foodservice CEO Bob Stewart who shared his thoughts on the foodservice industry’s future, including the impact of consolidation and succession planning. Additionally, Stewart emphasizes the importance of hard work, technical skills, and networking.

More about Bob Stewart:

A seasoned executive with 38 years of diversified experience in professional services, retail, manufacturing and distribution. His distribution experience included 20 years at US Foods. Bob began his professional career as a CPA in Pittsburgh, PA and worked several years in the Audit Departments of Deloitte and Grant Thornton.

Joining Kraft Foodservice in 1991, Bob advanced at both the local operating plant and HQ levels where he held roles as a SVP of Finance and Operational Strategy, CFO of US Food’s North Region, VP of Purchasing and Marketing, Reg. VP of Finance as well as a Division President. Bob also led US Foods large-scale business transformation project to redesign and functionalize parts of the business.

Bob has been the CEO of UniPro since 2015, leading the cooperative through an organizational rebranding and resurgence, significantly increasing Member and Supplier participation and engagement.

He is a native of southwestern Pennsylvania, has six children and now resides in Atlanta with his wife Maria along with their seventh child, Missy the English Bull Terrier.

More about UniPro:

With 460 members with over 1,000 locations, UniPro Foodservice, Inc. is the largest foodservice distribution cooperative in the United States. They provide nationwide access to exclusive purchasing opportunities with the country's premier suppliers. Learn more: https://www.uniprofoodservice.com/

Thanks to Our Sponsor: BMO

Whether you’re a producer, processor, retailer or distributor every company throughout the food continuum needs a financial partner that understands the factors that impact their business. From emerging consumer trends and industry consolidation, to commodity fluctuations and economic cyclicality, BMO’s Food, Consumer, and Agribusiness Group understands the issues affecting your company and are dedicated to serving the entire food industry – from farm to consumer. To learn more about how they can help, visit commercial.bmo.com/food.