The Ben E. Keith Company is the eighth largest food distributor in the world and delivers throughout Texas in addition to several surrounding states. Of its list of clients, about 60 percent of Ben E. Keith's business is from locally owned businesses. With more than 4,000 employees throughout the state and about 300 in Houston, the Fort Worth-based company has continued to grow.

For the past 20 years, the company has been delivering its products to the Houston market. Officials said opening a Houston branch has been a priority since the late 1990s. After working with city and county officials, the company opened an operation in Missouri City last June. The new branch brought nearly 100 new jobs and millions in capital to the city, according to city data.

General Manager Robbie Fish said Missouri City's central location and close proximity to several major freeways helped the company decide where to locate its Houston branch. Other factors included the support from government officials and an available local workforce, he said.

"[This location] gave us a lot of advantages and a lot of success," Director of Operations Shaun McFaul said. "Everything we need as a company is all right here, and we felt the city and local workforce met our own fundamental values."

After receiving an incentive package from Missouri City, Ben E. Keith purchased more than 80 acres of land within the Beltway 8 Business Park off Gessner Road. The operation is poised for expansion with the necessary space to nearly double in size and more than triple its production levels.

One Ben E. Keith Way

Missouri City 832-652-5888

www.benekeith.com