Conventional grocery supply comes down to a practical question: can the retailer keep the right products available, priced sensibly and relevant to the shoppers walking the aisles that week? Staples matter. So do frozen items, dairy, fresh categories, private-label choices and products that help a store stand apart from the larger chain down the road. UNFI [NYSE:UNFI] thrives in this space as a wholesale food distributor serving retailers and suppliers with natural, organic, conventional and specialty products. Its strength lies in the conventional food supply business, which provides retailers with broad access to grocery, frozen, dairy and fresh products, helping retailers maintain a dependable assortment while adjusting to local demand, category shifts and supplier opportunities. The company’s role is not limited to moving cases through a distribution network. Its product platform gives retailers access to a wide assortment across categories, while its programs and supplier relationships help turn that assortment into practical shelf-level merchandising relevance. That is where conventional food supply becomes more than availability. It becomes the work of helping retailers build assortments and compete. “At UNFI, we’re focused on adding value for our customers and suppliers through products, programs, and services that help them differentiate and grow profitably. This recognition reflects the strength of our partnerships and the progress we’re making as we continue building capabilities to support shared growth across the food retail industry,” says Louis Martin, President of Conventional Grocery Products and UNFI Chief Commercial Officer.

Starting a business in a new country meant building operations, relationships, and stability from scratch. After immigrating from Hong Kong in 1997, Scott Suen started S.J. Distributors LLC as a food delivery business in 2005, and Jenny Lin joined the company following its incorporation two years later. The early years revealed to them the challenges many small businesses face, particularly immigrant-owned restaurants and independent operators working to establish themselves locally. The experience gained later influenced how it approached customer support as it expanded. Starting small, the business grew step by step into multiple states, becoming a supplier that reliably kept restaurants stocked and made deliveries easier to anticipate. As it maintained close ties with family operations and standalone kitchens, much of the company’s client base carried regional food traditions into their communities. While managers communicated often about stock levels and menu needs, those exchanges gave them better insight into shifting order patterns. Over time, trust was built slowly through consistent showing up, effective communication, and recognition of how tough daily kitchen logistics can be. Today, most S.J. Distributors' clients run small businesses, often led by immigrants who serve diverse populations across the U.S. The company’s strategy emphasizes close collaboration with restaurant owners, timing deliveries to align with cooking routines, and listening to daily demands rather than ignoring them. This approach keeps specialty items and foods tied to specific cultures within reach, helping maintain supply lines aligned with real-world kitchen operations. “We see ourselves as a bridge between global food cultures, local businesses, and the communities we serve,” says Jenny Lin, CEO..

Global audiences are increasingly drawn to cultural experiences, with food emerging as one of the most immediate and accessible entry points. bb.q Chicken USA positions itself within this shift not just as a restaurant brand, but as a conduit for experiencing, interpreting, and sharing Korean culture. Through its distinct approach to Korean fried chicken, the company invites consumers into a broader sensory and social tradition defined by texture, flavor, and the communal nature of dining. From its inception, bb.q Chicken has treated its craft as more than the preparation of food. Korean fried chicken, with its delicate balance of crispiness and layered seasoning, becomes a vehicle for storytelling, an introduction to the rhythms and nuances of Korean culinary philosophy. It reflects not only taste preferences, but also the cultural context in which food is enjoyed, shared, expressive, and deeply rooted in tradition. Within this framework, what began as a modest Korean chain has evolved into an international presence, extending that cultural narrative across borders. “Beyond the customer perspective, I’d love the story to highlight how bb.q Chicken brings Korean culture to life through food,” explains a bb.q representative. “As K-dramas and K-pop have gained global attention, we’ve seen the same happen with Korean food. Korean fried chicken has become one of the easiest and most enjoyable entry points for people who are curious about Korea.” This ethos has guided every aspect of bb.q’s operations, from menu development to the design of each restaurant. The company views every order not as a transaction, but as an opportunity to share a piece of Korean identity..