From Four Banks to the Right One: How Capitol Food Company Found a Partner That Could Keep Up

Capitol Food Company has been a major force in food ingredient distribution for over 25 years, moving two to three million pounds of product per day to industrial food manufacturers nationwide. After working through four different banks, their president has a clear view of what separates a transactional banking relationship from a valuable one.

What it means for a bank to be “big enough to handle our needs, small enough to act fast”
Why direct access to empowered bankers matters for a high-volume distribution business
How Capitol Food Company grew from six employees to 250 while staying true to its family business roots

We spoke with John Levi, President, about their growth, values and why service remains their standout trait.  

From Four Banks to the Right One: How Capitol Food Company Found a Partner That Could Keep Up hero

What role does Capitol Food Company play in the grocery wholesaler industry?

We’re a distributor and manufacturer of food ingredients, serving industrial food manufacturers nationwide. We ship in bulk, whether it’s full truckloads, tankers or combined shipments; we move a lot — upward of two to three million pounds per day. Our customers include large regional players and national, multi-plant manufacturers across the country.

In one word, what sets Capitol Food Company apart?

Service.

To us, service is personal. When customers call, a real person answers — every time. Our team is accessible by cell phone, and we’re always ready to act fast. We pride ourselves on going above and beyond for our customers, providing responsive support and competitive pricing backed by strong market insights.

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How has Capitol Food Company evolved since its inception?

We’ve been in business for 25 years, originally spinning off from Capitol Milling Company. At the time of the sale of the mill, we were the oldest family-owned business in Los Angeles. We launched Capitol Food Company, starting with just six employees. Today, we have a team of 250 and a national footprint, with warehouses across the country.

Growth came quickly. We went from zero to $10 million in revenue within a year, and from there to $100 million in about six or seven years. We’ve continued to expand our product lines thoughtfully and strategically — sometimes through creative acquisitions, sometimes just by staying nimble and responding to market demand. We’ve been able to do that while staying true to our roots as a family business and keeping the tradition alive.

Early employees of Capitol Food Co pose for a picture

What’s one way you’re transforming your business for the future?

We’ve made significant sustainability investments. We’ve put nearly $3 million into solar energy across our owned buildings. All our forklifts — over 50 — run on electric power from solar, and we plan to shift to electric trucks in the future. These efforts reflect our long-term commitment to operational responsibility.

What impact has having the right banking partner had on your business?

The service from Customers Bank has been outstanding. We’ve grown significantly over the years and went through four different banks before finding Customers Bank. We don’t have to navigate layers of management. Customers Bank is big enough to handle our needs, and small enough to act fast. Our bankers are empowered to make things happen. That makes a difference.