Vistar Corporation Merges with Roma Food

Business Wire, Dec 16, 2004

DENVER -- Vistar Corporation and Roma Food Enterprises, Inc. are excited to announce the merger of their foodservice distribution businesses,

expected to be consummated by the end of January 2005.

The companies intend to continue developing their focus on becoming the leading distributor across the country to pizza, Italian and ethnic restaurants. The companies also are committed to servicing their existing strategic national account restaurant chains.

The combined company will service restaurants out of 25 foodservice distribution facilities across America. In the coming year, Vistar plans to re-brand and re-name its own food companies using the Roma name, while continuing to operate its 19 specialty vending distribution companies under the Vistar/VSA name.

The combined foodservice businesses will push total revenues to greater than $3 billion annually.

Roma's chairman and founder, Louis G. Piancone, chose Vistar because, "for 50 years, our employees, our love of product, and our passion to help our customers grow using our superior products and service - this is what it's all about. It is the commitment Vistar has made to carry on our Roma traditions that excites me. I am personally committed to see our two companies come together to accelerate each other's growth." Piancone will remain chairman of Roma Food Enterprises and be very involved with both companies in the continued development of sales associates and supplier relationships.

Louis M. Piancone, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Roma Food, Piscataway, and Stephen J. Piancone, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Roma Food Enterprises, will continue in their respective roles. Both are based in the Piscataway, New Jersey headquarters.

George Holm, president and chief executive officer of Vistar, said, "In my 25 years in this business, I've not met anyone as committed to his customers, his employees, and his product line as Lou. He and his Roma team, and Vistar and its foodservice professionals, will fit together hand in glove. This is a great combination and addition to our business."

Pat Mulhern, executive vice president of Vistar, said, "Two years into the development of Vistar, we have laid down a solid foundation for growth. The merger with Roma will bring us 50 years of unique customer service, an excellent sales team, and a quality workforce dedicated to superior service. We are very fortunate to inherit a deep and broad line of quality brands and products recognized by over 7,500 pizza, Italian and Mexican restaurants across America."

About Vistar Corporation

Denver-based Vistar Corporation is a leading distributor of food products and other supplies to many specialized segments of the away-from-home food market: vending companies, pizza and Italian restaurants, theatres, sandwich chains, commissaries and office coffee service operations. In addition to distributing third-party products, Vistar distributes a line of in-house brands, including the "Ultimo! Supreme" brand of deli meats and tomato products and the "Ultimo!" brand of pizza ingredients. Vistar employs approximately 2,800 people and operates 30 distribution centers throughout the United States. For more information, please visit www.vistarvsa.com. Vistar is owned by management and Wellspring Capital Management, LLC based in New York. Fore more information, please visit www.wellspringcapital.com.

About Roma Food Enterprises, Inc.

Roma Food Enterprises, Inc. was created and founded by Louis G. Piancone in 1955. Roma Food specializes in the distribution of Italian and Italian American foodservice products and services many pizza shoppes throughout the United States. Roma is based out of its Corporate Headquarters in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Company operates distribution centers in Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and South Carolina as well as its New Jersey flagship operation. For more information, please visit www.romafood.com.