SYSCO Corporation NYSE: SYY is the largest foodservice distributor in North America. It distributes frozen foods, various canned and "dry" foods, "fresh" meats, imported "specialties", and fresh produce. The company also supplies various non-food items, including disposable napkins, plates, and cups; tableware, cookware, restaurant and kitchen equipment, and cleaning supplies.SYSCO, an acronym for Systems and Services Company, services over 400,000 customers, which include restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes, schools and colleges, summer "camps", hotels and motels, and industrial caterers, as well as regional and national chain restaurants. As of July 2, 2005, the company operated 170 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The company was founded by John F. Baugh in 1969 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company became public on March 3, 1970.SYSCO competes with national distributors U.S. Foodservice and Performance Food Group, as well as regional companies such as Gordon Food Service, Ben E. Keith, Sunspun Food Service, and local foodservice distributors.