In this assignment, you’ll examine the economic consequences of market concentration in the food distribution industry, using the case study “How Sysco Is Shaping the American Food System.

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04 Feb 2026 • 10 min read

Case Study: How Sysco Is Shaping the American Food System

Economics Case Study Assignment

Case Title: How Sysco Is Shaping the American Food System

Due Date: February 6th at 11:59 PM (submit via Canvas)

Submission Format: Word-compatible file (.doc, .docx, or PDF)

Overview

In this assignment, you’ll examine the economic consequences of market concentration in the food distribution industry, using the case study “How Sy sco Is Shaping the American Food Sy stem.

(https://www.y outube.com/watch?v=rXXQTzQXRFc) ”

Your goal is to analyze how the consolidation of food distribution companies—particularly Sysco—has influenced restaurants, farmers, workers, and consumers. You will connect your analysis to key economic learning outcomes from Chapter 1

(https://openstax.org /books/introductionbusiness/pag es/1-introduction) , evaluating how Sysco’s dominance shapes business environments, competition, and our standard of living. Support your discussion with outside research and apply economic reasoning throughout.

This case study counts as 10% of your final course grade.

What You Need to Include

Your case study should follow this order and include section headings. Use the Economics Case

Study Template (https://online.valenciacolleg e.edu/courses/246452/files/68454656?wrap=1) for your submission.

1. Cover Page (2 points)

2. Introduction (2 points)

Provide context necessary for understanding your argument and the body of your paper. Briefly introduce Sysco’s rise as a national food distributor and the central question of how its market dominance affects economic outcomes for producers, distributors, and consumers.

3. Statement of Immediate Problem (10 points)

Identify the primary economic issue(s) associated with food distribution consolidation.

Clearly define the immediate (obvious) problem facing small restaurants, local suppliers, or consumers

Identify the root cause of the problem (e.g., mergers, barriers to entry, or anticompetitive behavior)

Describe any secondary problems that persist even if the immediate issue is resolved (e.g., loss of regional food diversity, lower product quality, or reduced labor standards)

4. Situation (SWOT) Analysis (20 points)

Provide a SWOT analysis of the U.S. food distribution system as it relates to Sysco’s market power. Explain at least three points for each of the following:

Strengths: (e.g., economies of scale, supply chain efficiency, national distribution capacity)

Weaknesses: (e.g., dependence on a few large firms, quality concerns, labor exploitation)

Opportunities: (e.g., antitrust reform, consumer demand for local food, innovation in logistics)

Threats: (e.g., monopolization, price manipulation, global supply chain instability)

5. Economic Connections to Learning Outcomes (25 points)

Demonstrate your understanding of two or more of the chapter’s learning outcomes

(https://openstax.org /books/introduction-business/pag es/1-introduction) by connecting them to the Sysco case. Select at least two of the learning outcomes below and analyze how they apply:

Business and Standard of Living: How do businesses like Sysco and smaller local suppliers contribute differently to the nation’s standard of living?

Business Environment Sectors: Which sectors of the business environment (economic, technological, competitive, global, or social) most influence Sysco’s success—and how?

Market Structures: What type of market structure best describes the U.S. food distribution industry, and what effects does this have on pricing, competition, and innovation?

Economic Health Indicators: How does Sysco’s market behavior connect to broader economic indicators such as employment, inflation, or growth in the food sector?

Trends and Competition: Which trends (globalization, consolidation, technological change, or consumer demand) are reshaping the competitive arena in this case?

Your response should explain these connections clearly, using examples from the Sysco case and, where relevant, outside research.

6. Action Plan (25 points)

Propose a solution-based strategy to address the problems caused by market concentration. Your plan should:

Present specific steps that regulators, restaurant owners, or policymakers could take to improve market fairness and food system resilience

Include prevention strategies to limit future monopolistic behavior or dependence on single distributors

Consider economic feasibility and the impacts on key stakeholders, including small businesses, consumers, and workers

7. Conclusion (2 points)

Summarize your main findings, restate the significance of competition in maintaining food quality and economic opportunity, and highlight the broader lessons this case provides about corporate consolidation in modern markets.

8. References (4 points)

Include a minimum of three outside research sources in APA format (in addition to the case video).

Visit the links below for help:

APA Formatting Video

(https://vimeo.com/253335617)

APA 7 Citation Guide – Valencia Colleg e (https://libg uides.valenciacolleg e.edu/friendly .php? s=apa7)

Writing Center – East Campus (https://valenciacolleg e.edu/students/learning support/east/communications/index.php)

Assignment Resources

Economics Case Study: How Sy sco Is Shaping the American Food Sy stem

(https://www.y outube.com/watch?v=rXXQTzQXRFc)

Economics Case Study Template (https://online.valenciacolleg e.edu/courses/246452/files/68454670?

wrap=1)

Related Resources (these can, but do not have to be part of your three outside research sources):

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report on Sy sco antitrust enforcement

(https://www.ftc.g ov/leg al-library /browse/cases-proceeding s/sy sco-usf-holding -corp-us-foods-inc)

S y sco Press Release Archives

(https://investors.sy sco.com/annual-reports-and-secfiling s/news-releases/2025)

Academic Integrity Policies Reminder

You may use AI tools for research purposes only.

Do not use AI to write any portion of your assignment.

Submissions will be checked for plagiarism and AI use.

More than 20% AI-generated content will result in severe point deductions or failure of the assignment.

You are fully responsible for meeting all assignment and integrity requirements.

Criteria for Success

See grading rubric below.

Case Study Rubric EC	O Updated (1)
Criteria	Ratings								Pts
Business Research Sources Identify three reliable outside business research sources based on the assigned case subject.
	4 to >3.2 pts Fulfilled Identifies three or more the major general business publications such as the Wall Street Journal as well industry trade publications wellaligned to the assigned case.		3.2 to >1.6 pts Partially Fulfilled Identifies fewer than three major general business publications such as the Wall Street Journal as well industry trade publications wellaligned to the assigned case.			1.6 to >0 pts Not Fulfilled Did not submit or sources identified were not from major general business publications such as the Wall Street Journal as well industry trade publications wellaligned to the assigned case.			4 pts

Introduction Write the Introduction of the case by summarizing the case by identifying the who, what and where of the assigned case.	2 to >1.6 pts Proficient Satisfactorily provided an accurate and detailed introduction of the assigned case.	1.6 to >1.4 pts Meets Minimum Requirements Briefly provided an introduction of the assigned case.			1.4 to >1.2 pts Partially Meets Requirements Partially provided an introduction of the assigned case.		1.2 to >0 pts Did Not Meet Requirements Did not submit or minimally provided an introduction of the assigned case.		2 pts
Statement Immediate Problem(s) Identify & write the Statement of Immediate (obvious) Problem(s) (the assigned case company’s issues) including the root cause of the immediate problem, and the secondary problem(s) that may not be solved when immediate problem is solved.	10 to >8.0 pts Proficient Satisfactorily described the assigned case's issues and problems to be solved.	8 to >7.0 pts Meets Minimum Requirements Briefly described the assigned case’s issues and problems to be solved.			7 to >6.0 pts Partially Meets Requirements Partially described the assigned case’s issues and problems to be solved.		6 to >0 pts Did Not Meet Requirements Did not submit or minimally described the assigned case’s issues and problems to be solved.		10 pts

SWOT Analysis Identify and describe the assigned case study company’s current Situation (SWOT) Analysis by identifying and explaining at least three items for each element: a) Company Strengths(internal with company control) b) Company Weaknesses (internal with company control) c) Company Opportunities (external with no company control) d) Company Threats (external with no company control)	20 to >16.0 pts Proficient Satisfactorily described the assigned case’s Situation (SWOT) Analysis by explaining at least three items for each element.	16 to >14.0 pts Meets Minimum Requirements Briefly described the assigned case’s Situation (SWOT) Analysis by explaining at least three items for each element.			14 to >12.0 pts Partially Meets Requirements Partially described the assigned case’s Situation (SWOT) Analysis by explaining at least three items for each element.		12 to >0 pts Did Not Meet Requirements Did not submit or minimally described the assigned case's Situation (SWOT) Analysis by explaining at least three items for each element.		20 pts

Economic Connections to Learning Outcomes Connect at least two economics learning outcomes to the Sysco case.	25 to >20.0 pts Proficient Thoroughly connects at least two learning outcomes to the Sysco case using accurate economic concepts, clear explanations, and relevant examples and/or research.	20 to >17.5 pts Meets Minimum Requirements Connections are present but lack depth, clarity, or strong examples.			17.5 to >9.0 pts Partially Meets Requirements Learning outcomes mentioned but weakly applied or inaccurately explained.		9 to >0 pts Did Not Meet Requirements Fails to meaningfully connect learning outcomes to the case.		25 pts
Action Plan Identify and write a detailed ethics-based Action Plan for this case including how to prevent a future similar occurrence. Must include what should be done by whom, why it should be done and how it should be done. Should include a contingency plan should problems arise.									25 pts
	25 to >20.0 pts Proficient Satisfactorily provided an action plan for this case including how to prevent a future similar occurrence. 10 pts Full application of	20 to >17.5 pts Meets Minimum Requirements Briefly provided an action plan for this case including how to prevent a future similar occurrence. 7 pts Evidence of use of the		17.5 to >15.0 pts Partially Meets Requirements Partially provided an action plan for this case including how to prevent a future similar occurrence. 4 pts Little evidence of following				15 to >0 pts Did Not Meet Requirements Did not submit or minimally provided an action plan for this case including how to prevent a future similar occurrence. 0 pts Did not turn in the
 CTE-BUS-WC-V1 Write clearly in the third person using business terms correctly, following mechanics and formatting according to the Business Student Writing Manual. threshold: 7.0 pts	the Business Student Writing Manual	Business Student Writing Manual		the Business Student Writing Manual			assignment		10 pts

Conclusion Format using the Economics Case Study Template.	2 pts Proficient Effectively summarizes findings, reinforces the importance of competition, and highlights broader economic implications.		1 pts Meets Minimum Requirements Summarizes content but lacks synthesis or broader insight.			0 pts Did Not Meet Requirements Conclusion missing or ineffective.			2 pts
Cover Page Format using the Economics Case Study Template.	2 pts Proficient Includes all required elements: case study title, course name, student name, professor’s name, and submission date; formatted using the Economics Case Study Template.		1 pts Meets Minimum Requirements One required element missing or formatting is inconsistent.			0 pts Did Not Meet Requirements Multiple required elements missing or cover page absent.			2 pts
Total Points: 100