KANNAPOLIS — Gordon Food Service today celebrated the grand opening of its 300,000-square-foot distribution center in Kannapolis, which the company says will employ 270 people within five years.

Attending the event were N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory, Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant, Gordon Food Service CEO Jim Gordon, Gordon Food Service Carolinas Division General Manager Mike Sprenger, and Gordon Food Service President of U.S. Distribution Scott Nicholson.

State and local officials joined Gordon Food Service employees for a close-up look at the Kannapolis facility, which will begin shipping in April. The Kannapolis distribution center currently employs more than 75 people.

“This grand opening by Gordon Food Service is another example of how our improvements to North Carolina’s business climate and workforce development are helping our state recruit and retain jobs,” McCrory said in a news release. “Companies like Gordon Food Service recognize the potential for growth that exists in North Carolina, and we are proud to welcome them to our state.”

Hinnant echoed the governor’s comments, expressing confidence that Gordon Food Service will make a positive contribution to the business climate and the community.

“We welcome Gordon Food Service to our business family,” Hinnant said. “We are pleased that they chose Kannapolis as their North Carolina distribution site and look forward to developing relationships with their employees and their families. Kannapolis has a proud heritage of strong family companies, and with Gordon Food Service’s reputation for being a wonderful community partner and an employee-friendly workplace, we expect to have a great partnership together. Our collaboration to offer state and local incentives to bring them here will bring over 270 job opportunities for our city. We congratulate the company on their expansion into North Carolina and look forward to great opportunities for their future success.”

Kannapolis is a great fit for Gordon Food Service, Gordon said.

“We’re happy to open our newest distribution center here in Kannapolis, and we’re looking forward to being a part of the community. It’s a vibrant area with a strong workforce and talent pool,” he said. “This facility will broaden our ability to serve our customers in the Carolinas so they can meet the needs of their customers.”

Gordon Food Service continues to expand its distribution network to serve a growing customer base. The company has 24 distribution centers in North America. There are 17 distribution centers in the U.S., including the new Kannapolis facility. There are eight distribution centers in Canada.