Cheney Brothers’ First South Carolina Facility Is Complete

Why It Matters

The new center enhances Cheney Brothers’ ability to serve fast‑growing Southeast grocery markets, strengthening Performance Food Group’s regional footprint. Its advanced cold‑storage capacity also positions the company to meet rising demand for premium dairy and frozen desserts.

Key Takeaways

• 386,047‑sf distribution center opens in Florence, S.C.
• Facility includes 45 loading docks and largest culinary kitchen for CBI.
• 90,095‑sf freezer and 29,996‑sf cooler support ice‑cream and dairy storage.
• First Cheney Brothers site in South Carolina expands PFG’s Southeast reach.
• A M King’s design‑build partnership marks fourth major project for CBI.

Pulse Analysis

The Southeast United States has become a hotbed for grocery expansion, driven by population growth and shifting consumer preferences toward premium dairy and frozen products. By adding a 386,000‑square‑foot distribution hub in Florence, South Carolina, Performance Food Group’s subsidiary Cheney Brothers taps directly into this momentum. The facility’s strategic placement within the Pee Dee Commerce City East Industrial Park shortens delivery lanes to key markets in Georgia, North Carolina and the broader Atlantic coast, reducing transportation costs and improving service speed for retailers.

Modern cold‑chain logistics are central to meeting today’s demand for high‑quality ice‑cream, butter, and specialty dairy items. The new center houses a 90,095‑square‑foot, five‑degree freezer and a 29,996‑square‑foot, 35‑degree cooler, providing ample capacity for temperature‑sensitive inventory while maintaining energy efficiency standards. This infrastructure enables Chen ey Brothers to expand its portfolio of brands—such as Duck Deli and Open Meadow—without risking product degradation, a critical advantage as consumers increasingly seek artisanal and premium dairy offerings.

The project also highlights the value of long‑term design‑build partnerships in the food‑service construction sector. A M King’s fourth collaboration with the distributor showcases how integrated planning, from architectural layout to specialized refrigeration systems, can accelerate project timelines and ensure compliance with strict food‑safety regulations. As the industry looks to modernize aging distribution networks, such alliances are likely to become a blueprint for scaling operations while controlling costs, positioning both firms for sustained growth in a competitive market.