As the largest independently owned and operated food service company in the United States, AVI Foodsystems, the parent company of AVI Fresh, proudly serves clients in 49 states. We employ more than 10,000 dedicated team members in over 8,500 locations, and we serve guests in more than 350 dining centers. Our strength today is deeply rooted in a legacy of hard work and hospitality that began more than 65 years ago. John Payiavlas, the son of Greek immigrants, grew up in a working-class family with a strong work ethic and a dream of building something that would last. His journey began in a small diner called the Village Cafe in Warren, Ohio. In time, he purchased a modest vending company—stocking his machines with fresh, scratch-made food from his own kitchen and laying the foundation for AVI Fresh.
Even as we’ve grown, we remain proudly family owned. Now, three generations of the Payiavlas family carry forward John’s vision of committed and innovative leadership. Our independence allows us to stay agile, debt-free and fully committed to doing what’s right for our clients and team members.
