94-Year-Old South African Recluse Sells Food Empire for $29.1B

Sysco acquires Natie Kirsh's Jetro Restaurant Depot, a major restaurant supply company.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:28pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 94-year-old South African recluse named Nathan 'Natie' Kirsh has sold his food distribution empire, Jetro Restaurant Depot, to Sysco, the nation's largest food distributor, for $29.1 billion. Kirsh grew the business from a single Brooklyn warehouse 50 years ago into a restaurant-supply behemoth with no major competitors.

Why it matters

This deal represents one of the largest acquisitions in the food distribution industry, highlighting the continued consolidation and growth of major players like Sysco. It also showcases how a single entrepreneur can build an outsized business over decades, even while maintaining a reclusive personal profile.

The details

Sysco announced it will acquire Jetro Restaurant Depot, which Natie Kirsh founded and built over the past 50 years. Jetro has grown to become a leading restaurant supply company with no major competitors, allowing Kirsh to maintain a dominant market position.

  • Natie Kirsh founded Jetro Restaurant Depot 50 years ago in Brooklyn, New York.
  • Sysco announced the $29.1 billion acquisition of Jetro on March 31, 2026.

The players

Nathan 'Natie' Kirsh

A 94-year-old South African recluse who founded and built Jetro Restaurant Depot into a $29.1 billion food distribution empire over the past 50 years.

Sysco

The nation's largest food distributor, which is acquiring Jetro Restaurant Depot in a $29.1 billion deal.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We literally have no competition,”

— Nathan 'Natie' Kirsh, Founder, Jetro Restaurant Depot

The takeaway

This deal demonstrates how a single determined entrepreneur can build an outsized business over decades, even while maintaining a low public profile. It also highlights the ongoing consolidation in the food distribution industry as major players like Sysco seek to expand their market dominance.