94-Year-Old Sells Food Empire for $29 Billion

Reclusive founder of Restaurant Depot steps away after 50 years at the helm.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:14pm

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Nathan Kirsh, the 94-year-old founder of the Restaurant Depot wholesale food supply chain, has sold his company for a staggering $29 billion. Kirsh built the business from a single warehouse in Brooklyn in 1976 after getting his start in South Africa, growing it into the nation's largest independent food service supplier over the course of five decades.

Why it matters

The sale of Restaurant Depot represents one of the largest private business transactions in recent memory, underscoring the massive scale and profitability of the food service industry. Kirsh's reclusive nature and reluctance to grant interviews has long shrouded the company in mystery, making this deal all the more surprising to industry observers.

The details

Restaurant Depot operates over 300 warehouse-style stores across the United States, catering to a customer base of restaurants, caterers, and other food service providers. The company's no-frills approach and wholesale pricing have made it a go-to destination for small and medium-sized businesses seeking to keep food costs down. Kirsh, who maintained tight control over the company's operations, has now decided to step away from the business entirely, paving the way for new ownership and an uncertain future for the brand.

  • Nathan Kirsh founded Restaurant Depot in 1976 in Brooklyn, New York.
  • The company has grown to over 300 locations nationwide over the past 50 years.
  • Kirsh, now 94 years old, has sold the company for $29 billion in March 2026.

The players

Nathan Kirsh

The 94-year-old founder of Restaurant Depot who built the company from a single warehouse in Brooklyn into the nation's largest independent food service supplier.

Restaurant Depot

A wholesale food supply chain that operates over 300 warehouse-style stores across the United States, catering to restaurants, caterers, and other food service providers.

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What’s next

The new owners of Restaurant Depot are expected to announce their plans for the company's future direction in the coming weeks, including any potential changes to operations, pricing, or expansion.

The takeaway

The sale of Restaurant Depot for $29 billion underscores the massive scale and profitability of the food service industry, as well as the enduring appeal of Kirsh's no-frills, wholesale-focused business model. The reclusive founder's exit after 50 years at the helm leaves the company's future in the hands of new ownership, raising questions about whether the brand's core identity and customer-centric approach will be maintained.