Lucas Bols USA has completed a sweeping distribution realignment, replacing its arrangement with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) across 24 states with four new regional and national partners: Johnson Brothers, Martignetti Companies, Reyes Beverage Group, and Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits. The transition is being executed in phases, with Reyes Beverage Group effective June 1, Johnson Brothers and Southern Glazer's effective July 1, and Martignetti Companies coming online at the close of its transaction from RNDC.
For on-premise operators — bar managers, beverage directors, and restaurateurs who carry Bols products — the phased handoff means new sales rep contacts and potentially revised ordering channels depending on their market. Accounts in states previously served by RNDC should expect outreach from whichever incoming distributor covers their territory, and operators should confirm updated pricing, delivery schedules, and portfolio availability with their new reps ahead of the July transitions.
The four distributors collectively span virtually every major U.S. market. Southern Glazer's is the country's largest wine and spirits distributor, while Reyes Beverage Group, Martignetti Companies, and Johnson Brothers each command strong regional footprints in the Midwest, Northeast, and beyond. Securing all four simultaneously signals that Lucas Bols USA is positioning its portfolio — anchored by Bols Genever, Bols Liqueurs, and Damrak Gin — for broader on- and off-premise penetration rather than a slow, market-by-market rollout.
Lucas Bols is one of the world's oldest distilled spirits companies, and its North American arm has framed the distribution overhaul as a platform for longer-term growth through portfolio development and strategic transactions. Industry observers tracking beverage industry distribution shifts will note that moving away from a single national distributor in favor of specialized regional partners has become an increasingly common playbook for mid-size spirits importers seeking tighter market execution and more dedicated sales attention.
For hospitality professionals sourcing craft and heritage spirits programs, the realignment could create new opportunities. Distributors like Martignetti and Johnson Brothers are known for deep on-premise relationships, and a more regionally focused sales effort often translates to better menu placement support and staff training resources. Operators looking to stay ahead of spirits and cocktail program trends should connect with their incoming Bols distributor contact to understand what programming and incentives will be available under the new structure.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
