Richmond, VA – August 3, 2026 – Legacy Food Group (“LFG”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Barry Bates as President of Thomsen Foodservice (“Thomsen”). Bates succeeds longtime President Ed Thomsen, who recently retired following more than five decades with the family business.
In his new role, Bates will lead Thomsen’s day-to-day operations and strategic direction, with a focus on supporting employees, strengthening customer and supplier relationships, and identifying opportunities for continued growth.
Thomsen Foodservice was founded by the Thomsen family in 1951. The company later expanded its nonfood capabilities before becoming a broadline foodservice distributor in the mid-1990s. Thomsen was one of the original companies that founded LFG in 2023, and continues to operate as one of the company’s locally focused Operating Divisions.
Bates brings more than 35 years of experience in the restaurant and foodservice distribution industry. He began his career working in restaurants, where he gained firsthand operational and management experience before transitioning into foodservice distribution.
During a 30-year career with Gordon Food Service, Bates advanced through roles of increasing responsibility, including Sales Representative, Sales Manager, Branch Manager, Director of Sales, Divisional General Manager, and Vice President of Distribution. In his Vice President role, Bates oversaw sales, marketing, transportation, warehouse operations, human resources, and finance, providing him with a comprehensive perspective across all areas of a foodservice distribution business.
“I am honored to join Thomsen Foodservice and lead a company with such a proud history, strong customer relationships, and dedicated team,” said Bates. “My first priority will be to listen, learn, and work alongside our employees to build upon what already makes Thomsen successful. I look forward to supporting our customers, strengthening our culture, and identifying opportunities for continued growth.”
Bates has also remained actively involved in the broader foodservice and hospitality industries. He has served on the boards of both the Indiana Restaurant Association and the Michigan Hospitality and Tourism Association. He also spent several years as a member of the International Foodservice Distributors Association Government Relations Committee.
“Barry brings the depth of experience, operational perspective, and people-first leadership that make him an excellent fit for Thomsen Foodservice,” said John H. Miller, CEO of Legacy Food Group. “He understands every side of the distribution business and has a proven ability to assess challenges, develop actionable solutions, and build trust throughout an organization. We are confident Barry will honor Thomsen’s legacy while positioning the company for its next chapter of growth.”
Known for his servant leadership approach, Bates has successfully guided teams and organizations through periods of change by developing strong, trusting relationships at every level, from frontline employees to executive leadership and boards of directors. Bates’ broad operational expertise, commitment to culture, and results-driven approach position him well to build upon Thomsen Foodservice’s strong foundation and continue its longstanding commitment to employees, customers, suppliers, and the communities it serves.
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Continuing the Legacy . . .
Legacy Food Group is a dynamic holding company, established to unite high-quality regional independent foodservice distributors, and assist in their becoming high performance, owned Operating Divisions. By bringing together multiple distributors, Legacy Food Group creates macro-scale efficiencies and group synergies that come with shared resources while preserving the identity of each Operating Division that makes them unique within their local market.
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