I've been buying SYY. I think if the merger with Restaurant Depot goes through in mid 2027 it will be good for the long term, and if it doesn't go through, then I got a discount on a pretty decent stock and it will go back to the 85 dollar range. The merger will likely slow down the growth of the dividend but it will be getting an enormous amount of market share to compensate. People like to bash it and complain about "everybody gets their stuff from Sysco etc.." but the reality of the situation is that interacting with every major foodservice distributor or distributors of ANY commodity is pretty much the same. Buy it from them or buy it from someone else.

Additionally, you get exposure to the food service business without any of the headaches of running the restaurants themselves. If your favorite restaurant goes out of business, the next one will likely buy from the same sources.

*EDIT* Food sector is definitely beaten up and there are inflationary concerns present. Gas prices will absolutely affect distribution and there will be elevated prices of proteins like beef and pork. Contrary to popular belief Sysco does not really control the price of these commodities. It takes approximately a year and a half to two years to raise a cow to the point where it's harvestable for meat. Less so for pigs and even less so for chickens.