A leading wholesaler has come out against Sysco's bid to acquire Bahamas Food Services (BFS), saying he does not support the move "by any stretch of the imagination". Robert E. C. Pritchard, vice president of Asa H. Pritchard Limited, told Guardian Business that the takeover will end up "hurting a lot of people". In particular, he said it would destroy any small business trying to get into food service. The open condemnation by Pritchard could hold a great deal of weight when added to recent comments made by Rupert Roberts, owner of the largest supermarket chain in the country.

Roberts revealed to this newspaper several weeks ago that he would not support such a takeover, voicing similar concerns that Sysco would place other wholesalers in jeopardy. "I don't think it would be good for The Bahamas," Roberts said. "It would destroy a lot of what we have. It would change the methods of doing business. I'm afraid they would be in competition with other wholesalers, and you don't know what they would do."

Sysco's international presence would likely overshadow any resistance here in The Bahamas. The multinational recorded revenue of more than $39 billion in 2011. "I think BFS does a good job already, along with the other stakeholders," Pritchard added. "There are already a lot of products out there. You have a billion-dollar company coming in to make it tough. I do a lot of business with Sysco now, but obviously that would have to stop and I'll have to find another supplier."

Pritchard said the "word on the street", however, is that the deal is likely to go through. He expressed hope that the Christie administration would place restrictions on the company to help local business. For example, it has been suggested that Sysco should be limited to food service for restaurants and hotels. That move would preserve the current landscape for food stores. "I don't like it either way. But I can't see it not happening," he told Guardian Business. Pritchard said operators will still be able to get the products they need, even if they chose not to work with Sysco. BFS is currently owned by the Frisch family out of Jacksonville, Florida. It has been operating in The Bahamas since 1971 and employs 300 Bahamians.

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