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Georgia Commissioner Urges Federal Antitrust Review of Sysco-Restaurant Depot Deal

By  |  May 7, 2026

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper is calling on federal regulators to examine the proposed acquisition of Restaurant Depot by Sysco Corporation, arguing that the deal could significantly alter the nation’s food distribution landscape.

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    In a letter sent earlier this week to the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, Harper urged both agencies to open an antitrust investigation into the proposed transaction. According to a statement, Sysco already controls nearly 20% of the food service market, raising concerns about the company’s growing influence within the industry.

    Harper warned that the acquisition could have wide-reaching consequences for restaurants, suppliers, and consumers. “This proposed acquisition will dramatically reshape America’s Food supply chain, making it more fragile and increasing costs on American restaurant owners and their customers,” Harper wrote.

    The commissioner also linked the proposed merger to broader consolidation trends across agriculture and food distribution. Harper argued that increasing concentration among major agricultural companies is reducing competition and limiting options for both producers and buyers.

    Read more: Sysco to Acquire Jetro Restaurant Depot in $29 Billion Deal

    “This proposed merger is also part of a broader and more troubling trend of corporate consolidation in the agriculture industry and food supply chain. ‘Big Ag’ continues to grow larger and more powerful, squeezing American farmers and limiting their options. Farmers have fewer places to sell their products, while restaurants and food businesses have fewer suppliers to choose from. The lack of competition creates higher prices and less economic opportunity across the board. Sysco’s acquisition of Restaurant Depot would only accelerate this trend,” the letter stated.

    Harper also raised concerns about ownership structures within the food supply sector. While Restaurant Depot remains privately owned, Sysco’s largest shareholders include investment firms such as BlackRock and Vanguard.

    “America’s food supply chain is an essential part of our nation’s national security, not a profit center for private equity to ‘optimize,’” Harper wrote.

    Source: Southeast AgNet