Why This Matters to Distributors: IFDA is one of the foodservice distribution industry’s primary advocacy organizations. A change in leadership comes as distributors continue to address labor shortages, supply chain risks, food safety regulations and investments in technology and automation.
Mark Allen, president and CEO of the International Foodservice Distributors Association, plans to retire in early 2027 after 27 years with the organization, the association announced.
Allen joined IFDA in 1999 as senior vice president of industry relations and was named president and CEO in 2004. He has led the association for more than two decades.
The association said it has retained executive search firm Spencer Stuart to conduct a national search for Allen’s successor. Allen will remain in his role until the transition is complete.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished together and confident that IFDA is well positioned for continued success,” Allen said.
During Allen’s tenure, IFDA expanded its advocacy efforts, member programs and industry engagement. The association also increased its focus on workforce development, food safety, supply chain resilience, technology, and operational issues affecting food service distributors.
Mike Sweet, chairman of IFDA’s board of directors and president of Ben E. Keith Foods, said Allen helped expand the association’s role in representing the industry.
Susan Adzick, vice chair of IFDA’s board and president of McLane Restaurant, said Allen’s leadership helped broaden the association’s role across the industry.
IFDA represents the U.S. foodservice distribution industry, which the association estimates at $400 billion in annual sales. Its members supply food and related products to more than 1 million restaurants and other foodservice operations nationwide.
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