Step Into Our Time Machine.
Wood Fruitticher history began as a wholesale grocery supplier in 1913. It has grown into the southeast's largest independent foodservice distributor. The industries we deliver food and foodstuffs to include to healthcare facilities, restaurants, daycares and schools, and convenience stores. Scroll through the Wood Fruitticher history tour to see where we started and where we are now.
1913
The Start of Something Great
Dave Wood and Oscar Fruitticher open the wholesale grocery company on Morris Avenue in Birmingham, Alabama. It was down the street from The Peanut Depot and Kontos Fruit Company.
1935
Wood Buys Fruitticher
Wood buys out Fruitticher, getting the business and the funny name.
1942
The Loss of a Founder
Dave Wood dies in a tragic car accident on a rainy Sunday while returning from the dairy farm he operated. His son, Bill Wood, assumes the responsibility of running Wood Fruitticher. Bill Wood was a pilot in WWII, serving in the army air corps. He had been stationed in Tunisia, North Africa. When he took over the business, he shifted the company’s focus to serve more restaurants, schools and hospitals.
1980
Third Generation
John and Dave Wood II assume leadership of Wood Fruitticher in the wake of their father Bill's untimely death.
1984
On the Move
Birmingham is growing and builds its first beltway interstate I-459. Wood Fruitticher constructs a new foodservice facility on Alton Road at the east end of I-459 in Irondale, Alabama.
2003
Expanding Our Warehouse
Expansion added 62,000 sq. ft. to dry storage, 7,800 sq. ft. to equipment storage, and 36,075 sq. ft. to the freezer and cooler dock bringing our facility's total square footage to 365,000.
2012
Wood Fruitticher App
Wood Fruitticher launches Oscar, the first foodservice mobile app of its kind. Oscar allows our customers to track their delivery truck in real time and access promotions.
2017
The Legacy Continues
Wood Fruitticher defies the odds as Dave and John retire and hand the business to the fourth generation. Only 3-5% of family businesses achieve this milestone.