Family-Owned & Operated
Our History
From humble beginnings to what is now the largest and only family-owned broadline food distributor headquartered in Houston, Jake’s takes pride in offering its customers unmatched quality, service and solutions.
In 1946, Kervin “Jake” Jacob began selling farm-fresh eggs door-to-door. Despite a humble start of only 11 dozen sold in his first week, Mr. Jacob persevered. Beginning with the addition of breakfast meats, and after the acquisition of a few small food companies, his offerings grew to include a complete line of foodservice products.
The business grew and expanded quickly, selling eggs to dominant grocers such as Rice Epicurean Markets and Gerland’s. In the mid-1960s, Jacob expanded the product line to include ham, sausage and shortening, and moved operations to the Heights, where the company was located for nearly 40 years.
Leonard Bench joined the business in 1967 and married Jacob’s daughter Linda one year later. Bench served Jake’s for 50 years and now serves as chairman of the board. Bench was instrumental in growing the company’s offerings and customer base, as well as setting the example of a visionary and hardworking, selfless leader.
By the 1970s, Jake’s was buying companies that even further added to its broad product mix, including the 2011 acquisition of Gourmet Ranch, Jake’s custom-cut butcher shop. With full-service butchery capabilities, Gourmet Ranch specializes in freshly cut chicken, custom-cut aged steaks, freshly ground beef and patties, and a range of value-added items such as cutlets and marinated fajita meat.
Today, Jake’s is still run by family members. Michael Bench, the Jacob’s grandson, currently serves as President, and his brother-in-law Kevin Ullrich is CEO. Patsy Sakowitz, Jacob’s daughter, was an integral part of the company for 40 years and now sits on the board of directors alongside Leonard Bench and Mrs. Jacob.
Although Mr. Jacob has since passed on, the company that bears his name still maintains his motto, “Dreams really can come true when your values include commitment, service, and a good day’s work!”
Join Our Family
Let us show you A Higher Standard of Service™. Contact us to learn more, or to join our family of successful food service operators.
