Odeko Strengthens Mid-Atlantic Foothold with Acquisition of District Distribution; Forges Key Partnership with Union Kitchen
February 8 -2026
Coffee Geography Magazine
Odeko, an all-in-one operations and technology platform for independent food and beverage businesses, acquired District Distribution, a premier specialty distributor based in the nation’s capital. Concurrently, Odeko has entered into a strategic partnership with Union Kitchen, a D.C.-based accelerator for local food and beverage brands.
This dual initiative significantly amplifies Odeko’s presence in the Mid-Atlantic region. The acquisition of District Distribution, founded in 2023, provides Odeko with an established network of independent retailers, cafés, and foodservice providers across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. District has built a reputation for expertly sourcing and distributing products from independent, local brands.
The complementary partnership with Union Kitchen creates a powerful pipeline for emerging brands. Odeko gains direct access to a curated stream of innovative products from Union Kitchen’s accelerator program, while those nascent brands gain a potential pathway to scale through Odeko’s vast national network of over 20,000 independent businesses.
Dane Atkinson, CEO and Founder of Odeko
"For thousands of local coffee shops and cafes, managing supplies from multiple vendors is a daily challenge. This acquisition and partnership directly address that by bringing more local products and streamlined logistics to our platform," said Dane Atkinson, CEO and Founder of Odeko. "We're thrilled to welcome District Distribution to Odeko. Their team has built exceptional community relationships, and we’re excited to enhance their customer experience with our technology and national catalog."
District Distribution’s customers will now have access to Odeko’s comprehensive suite of services, including its online ordering platform, expanded national product selection, 24/7 customer support, and financing and insurance offerings.
Cullen Gilchrist, CEO of District Distribution, echoed the enthusiasm: "Joining Odeko is a transformative step for our customers and our supplier partners. Odeko's technology and scale provide the tools for our customers to grow efficiently and offer our local brand partners a unparalleled opportunity to expand their reach. This is a significant win for the entire local food ecosystem we serve."
The moves underscore Odeko’s strategy of combining hyper-local supplier relationships with national scale and technology. By integrating District’s localized expertise and Union Kitchen’s brand development engine, Odeko strengthens its value proposition: enabling independent F&B businesses to increase revenue, reduce operational complexity, and lower their environmental footprint through consolidated deliveries.
Odeko currently operates warehouses in 17 major U.S. markets and serves the broader country via e-commerce. The company has raised over $280 million in equity from top-tier investors including B Capital, Tiger Global Management, and Two Sigma Ventures.