The meez Podcast Tommy Gordon of Gordon Food Service
#37. Tommy Gordon, the General Manager of the Great Lakes Central Division at Gordon Food Service (GFS), is a key figure in the largest and oldest division of the company. GFS, the largest privately owned wholesale food service distributor in North America, boasts over 20,000 employees and an annual revenue exceeding 16 billion dollars. With a rich history spanning 125 years since its founding in 1897, GFS is now managed by over five generations of families.
Tommy formerly served as the North American Director of Digital Products and Services at GFS. Tommy's new role is responsible for overseeing operations in the Great Lakes Central Division, which plays a pivotal role in GFS's extensive network. The company serves over 115,000 customers with a remarkable 19,000 deliveries on any given day. GFS also maintains 175 storefronts across the country, providing easy access for customers to purchase their products directly.
In this episode of The meez Podcast, Tommy delves into GFS's unique approach, discussing the company's strategy, perspective on technology, and its ability to operate and innovate with agility despite its size. One notable aspect of GFS that stands out is its unwavering focus on the customer, a culture that has been cultivated over the years. The company's obsession with prioritizing customers above all else has not only led to business success but has also fostered a positive and loyal team culture among its workforce.
Where to find Tommy Gordon:
Where to find host Josh Sharkey:
In this episode, we cover:
(02:18) Tommy Gordon's background
(05:52) Tommy's start in non-profits
(07:37) Gordon Food Service's start
(14:09) War Room Mentality
(17:05) The culture at GFS
(23:13) GFS customer diversity
(25:44) Serving commercial vs. non commercial customers
(27:11) GFS storefronts
(32:59) How GFS thinks about competition
(47:48) GFS Partnerships
(56:15) Final thoughts from Tommy