Overview
The year was 1935 when native San Diegan and long time entrepreneur Rube Smith (or Bob, as he was more often known) found himself borrowing $500.00 to start up R.W. Smith & Co., a new concept, restaurant supplier. Bob had been involved in other businesses but had never found the right balance of ingredients for success. He was a quiet man, somewhat reserved, well liked and trusted within the community. His core business value of, “A sale is a license to perform, and when you get the opportunity, it’s your marketing for the future,” still applies to our company today.
Even though Bob found himself in the midst of The Great Depression, he was able to keep his business afloat, enjoying the beginning of his success by selling restaurant supplies to local San Diego bars throughout World War II. When son, Stan Smith, returned from military service, Bob handed him the keys while waving, “Au revoir!” from the deck of a cruise liner as Bob and his wife headed out for a much deserved vacation. It was soon after this metaphoric transferring of the keys that Stan assumed part ownership of the company.
During the early years, there really was no established foodservice industry and no restaurant supply company that sold restaurant products. Restaurants had to buy their restaurant supplies from markets and/or grocery store wholesalers. This resulted not only in a very limited selection of items, but also fated each restaurant and bar to having the same look and feel as the bars next door and down the street. Originality was severely lacking. That niche was Bob Smith’s vision, foodservice distribution. R.W. Smith & Co. simply began as a company that sold bar supplies and condiments.
Today, foodservice distributors commonly referred to as broad liners, sell virtually everything and anything related to the foodservice industry. R. W. Smith & Co. has maintained a select niche of products, including everything but food, liquor, and disposable products. Beginning with only a select group of local customers, R. W. Smith & Co. now serves California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Louisiana and Florida. Our chain restaurant division and contract department have grown substantially over the years and now reach customers around the world.
On June 30, 1997, Stan Smith retired from the business. He and minority shareholder Ron Woodhill decided to sell 93% of their interest in R.W. Smith & Co. to its employees. By August 2002, Ron retired from the scene and R.W. Smith & Co. became the 100% employee owned and operated company it is recognized as today. Each employee is a part owner in the company and as owners we all share in the responsibility for our growth and prosperity.