Cheney Brothers vs. US Foods: Best Choice for Florida and Southeast Restaurants?
Cheney Brothers is the regional champion in Florida and the Southeast — deep local knowledge, competitive pricing on regional staples, and strong Hispanic/Latin product selection. US Foods brings better technology tools and a stronger private label. Florida operators consistently benefit from quoting both.
Why This Comparison Matters
For restaurant operators in Florida and the Southeast, the choice between Cheney Brothers and US Foods is one of the most practically important distribution decisions you'll make. Both serve the region well, but they are meaningfully different companies with different strengths.
| Category | Cheney Brothers | US Foods |
|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Privately held, family-owned. HQ: Riviera Beach, FL. Founded 1925. | Publicly traded. National. $36B+ revenue. |
| Coverage | FL, GA, SC, NC, AL, and surrounding Southeast states. | National. Strong in most major US metro markets. |
| Technology | Online ordering available. Less feature-rich than MOXe. | US Foods MOXe — best operator portal with menu costing and nutrition tools. |
| Private Label | Cheney Brothers private label across key categories. | Chef's Line — well-regarded across all categories. |
| Hispanic/Latin Products | Excellent selection tailored to Southeast and Florida market demographics. | Good selection but less regionally specialized than Cheney Brothers. |
| Pricing | Often competitive or cheaper in Florida on regional staples. | Competitive nationally. Cost-plus contracts available. |
| Rep Relationships | Known for strong, long-term rep relationships in Southeast markets. | Good rep support. More variability across a larger national organization. |
| Multi-State Operations | Southeast only. Cannot support locations outside the region. | National coverage for all US locations. |
Choose Cheney Brothers if…
- You are in Florida, Georgia, or the Carolinas
- Hispanic/Latin product selection is important for your menu
- You value a family-owned regional distributor over a national company
- You want a rep with deep Southeast market knowledge
- You've gotten quotes and Cheney wins on your key items
Choose US Foods if…
- MOXe portal tools matter to your daily operations
- You want a strong, consistent private label (Chef's Line)
- You have locations outside the Southeast that need consistency
- You want the Scoop new product program for menu development
- You prefer a national company for account management
In Florida, many operators find Cheney Brothers wins on proteins and produce-adjacent items, while US Foods is more competitive on dry goods and national brand items. Getting quotes from both lets you make the decision based on actual data for your specific menu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheney Brothers bigger than US Foods?
No. US Foods is a national distributor with $36B+ in annual revenue. Cheney Brothers is a large regional distributor focused on the Southeast, significantly smaller in overall scale but dominant in their coverage area.
Does Cheney Brothers have a private label?
Yes. Cheney Brothers has private label offerings across key food categories. Their private label selection is more regionally focused than US Foods' Chef's Line, which spans a broader range of product categories.
Which is better for a Miami restaurant — Cheney Brothers or US Foods?
Both serve Miami well. Cheney Brothers has very strong Miami-area infrastructure and a product catalog well-calibrated for Miami's Latin-influenced food market. US Foods is also competitive in Miami. Get quotes from both on your specific items — pricing differences for your menu will tell you more than general comparisons.
Can I use Cheney Brothers and US Foods at the same time?
Yes. Some operators use both, sourcing specific categories from whichever distributor is cheaper on that category. The trade-off is managing two delivery schedules, invoices, and rep relationships.
Sources: Cheney Brothers company information; US Foods Annual Report 2024; FrillPick editorial research. FrillPick is not affiliated with or endorsed by any food distributor.