LORDSTOWN — A food service distribution company here that supplies products to more than 450 McDonald’s restaurants to four states in the eastern United States was named by the fast food giant its 2021 U.S. Supplier of the Year.

Anderson-Dubose Company “went so far above and beyond its support of the McDonald’s system that it is nearly impossible to quantify the full extent of their impact,” Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, said.

“They were involved in nearly every aspect of the COVID-19 crisis and recovery, coped with a record year of natural disasters and continuously supplied our U.S. restaurants. They saw opportunities to work systematically for improvement and mutual benefit, and they reflect the epitome of what it truly means to be the supplier of the year,” Erlinger said.

The award is presented to the food, paper or product supplier that makes the most significant impact on, and contribution to, McDonald’s U.S. business results from the previous years. Criteria include commitment to quality and food safety; product, equipment and process innovation; exemplary customer service; and value.

It was announced Thursday.

“To be named one of the top supply chain partners in the U.S. by McDonald’s is a tremendous honor,” Warren Anderson, founder and CEO, said. “We are elated to be part of the McDonald’s family, and we are grateful to all of our associates who make Anderson-DuBose synonymous with excellence, dedication and quality.

“This accomplishment is even more meaningful because of the commitment, grit and loyalty our team demonstrated in overcoming the many challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented during the year.”

Founded in Cleveland in 1991, Anderson-DuBose is a full-service, family-owned food distribution company that handles a variety of products related to the food industry, including packaged goods, produce, dairy, frozen and promotional products.

The wholly owned African-American company is headquartered in Lordstown. It has another facility in Rochester, New York.

The Lordstown facility at the Ohio Commerce Center on state Route 45 opened in April 2012 and expanded in 2017. The company supplies McDonald’s and Chipotle restaurants in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia.

rselak@tribtoday.com