Who We Are

Company founded as Courier Sales Corp. by Sam and Lou Friedman with plans to import tape recorders from Japan

Courier Sales Corp. enters the office coffee business by purchasing Coffee Dispensing Company (CDC) and its 12 accounts

The first 12 years are marked by brisk growth through direct-mail marketing and a strong focus on great service.

Lou unexpectedly passes away at age 50. Sam renames company Coffee Distributing Corp. (CDC)

Sam’s son Bob joins the business. CDC adds carbonated beverages to its portfolio and begins to emphasize quality private label coffees

CDC moves to Floral Park, NY, doubling its space

Acquired Custom Coffee, which included the sales team of Pearl and Burt Elion, along with Vincent Panella, who together brought new vigor to the company’s sales and marketing endeavors

5 gallon water coolers added, sales defy expectations

CDC purchases a 25,000 square foot building in Garden City Park, NY. Sam passes away in May, and Bob becomes President of CDC

Company grows past 100 employees

CDC continues to grow by offering innovative products and services. Some highlights include: upscale private label coffee offerings, including Pride of Colombia and the Estate Select line of gourmet quality blends and single origin coffees; first in NY to use the Water Safe system, protecting 5 gallon bottled water from dirt and other contaminants; first coffee operation in NY to use 2-way radios, Nextel and cell phones to improve service; LaVazza Espresso Point (for years a CDC NY exclusive), the original brew by cartridge coffee system

Became the largest independent distributor of Flavia (MARS Drinks) in the US. This partnership is key to later partnerships between CDC and major food service companies

Acquired Instant Beverages, the oldest coffee service in New York. Additionally, CDC expands to a branch location in Clifton, NJ and launches first website

Moved to 60,000 sq ft. building in Garden City Park, N.Y. and passes the 200 employee mark

Green Mountain adds CDC as an approved full-line distributor, adding Keurig to CDC’s portfolio of products

Financial boom in NYC helps fuel strongest growth in the company’s history with sales more than doubling. Employment surpasses 300.

Bob’s son, Alex, joins CDC

Additional 34,000 square feet of warehouse and office is acquired

CDC acquired Manny’s Coffee of Union, NJ

Several large food service companies begin courting CDC as an acquisition

After being courted by several large food service companies as a potential acquisition, the Friedman family accepts an acquisition offer from Compass Group USA. CDC becomes the NY area office coffee hub for Compass’s Canteen sector, but keeps its name and management team (including Bob and Alex)

“Pantry Service” is added to CDC’s ever growing portfolio of services

Synergies between Compass Group food service operations and CDC begin yielding tremendous benefits for customers, providing them with an ever increasing array of products and nationwide service