SYYConsumer DefensiveFood Distribution·Sep 3, 2026·4 min read

[SYY] Sysco Thesis 2026: International Operating Income Leads Group Toward Sales Target

Sysco FY25 (Jun 28, 2025 FYE) at $81.37B revenue (+3%). NI $1.83B; EPS $3.73 (-4%). Q4 sales $21.1B (+2.8% reported / +3.7% ex-Mexico); adj EPS $1.48 (+6.5%). US local case -1.5% Q4 (200bp better than Q3); International +8.3% ex-Mexico, +20.1% adj OI (7 consecutive Q DD growth). FY26 guide: revenue $84-$85B (+3-5%); adj EPS $4.50-$4.60 (+1-3%); $1B dividend + $1B buyback; target 2.5x net leverage.

Sysco 2025-26: International +20% OI, FY26 Sales $84-$85B

FY25 (Jun 2025 FYE) revenue $81.37B (+3%); Op income $3.09B (-4%); NI $1.83B (-7%); EPS $3.73 (-4%). Q4 sales $21.1B (+2.8%) / +3.7% ex-Mexico divestiture; adj EPS $1.48 (+6.5%). US Foodservice local case volume -1.5% (200bp improvement vs Q3). International +8.3% top-line ex-Mexico, +20.1% adj op income (7th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth). FY26 guide: revenue $84-$85B (+3-5%); adj EPS $4.50-$4.60 (+1-3%, with $0.16 incentive headwind).

Key takeaways

  • Q4 traffic improving + international standout. Restaurant traffic improved through Q4. International +8.3% ex-Mexico divestiture; +20.1% adj operating income (7 consecutive quarters double-digit OI growth).
  • US local case volume showing improvement. -1.5% Q4 vs -3.5% Q3 (~200bp improvement). Restaurant traffic recovery + new customer acquisition.
  • FY26 guide $84-$85B revenue (+3-5%). Modest revenue growth + stable margin = adj EPS $4.50-$4.60 (+1-3%). $0.16/share headwind from FY25 lower incentive comp lapping.
  • $1B buyback + $1B dividend planned FY26. Continued capital return at scale. Target net leverage 2.5x.
  • Mexico divestiture continuing. Selling Mexican foodservice business; reflected in YoY comparisons. Streamlines focus on core US + International.

Business

Sysco is the largest US foodservice distributor with ~750K customers across restaurants + healthcare + education + lodging + hospitality. Three reporting segments:

  • US Foodservice Operations (~70% of revenue): Local + chain customer foodservice distribution. Q4 sales $21.1B (+2.8% reported / +3.7% ex-Mexico). Local case volume -1.5% Q4 (vs -3.5% Q3 — 200bp improvement).
  • International Foodservice Operations (~15% of revenue): Canada + UK + Ireland + France + Sweden + Mexico (divesting). Q4 +3.6% reported / +8.3% ex-Mexico; local case +4%; adj OI +20.1% (7 consecutive Q DD growth).
  • Sygma + Other (~15% of revenue): Specialty + Sygma (chain distribution) + other.

Strategic positioning: largest scale + national footprint + private label + technology. Differentiation through customer service + scale economics + tech-enabled distribution.

FY25 financial performance (Jun 2025 FYE)

Metric (FY)FY23FY24FY25
Revenue ($B)76.3378.8481.37
Gross profit ($B)13.9614.6114.97
Op income ($B)3.043.203.09
Op margin4.0%4.1%3.8%
EBITDA ($B)3.704.174.14
Net income ($B)1.771.961.83
Diluted EPS ($)3.473.893.73
FCF ($B)2.082.161.78
Capex ($M)-793-832-906
Total debt ($B)11.1712.9514.49
Dividends ($B)-1.00-1.01-1.00
Buyback ($B)-0.50-1.23-1.25

The earnings print: Revenue +3%, op margin -30bp to 3.8%, EPS -4%. International strong; US continued recovery.

Capital allocation

  • Capex: $-906M FY25 (1.1% of revenue).
  • Dividends: $-1.00B FY25 (held flat).
  • Buybacks: $-1.25B FY25.
  • M&A / Divestitures: Mexican business divestiture continuing.
  • Debt: $14.49B (+$1.54B YoY).

FY26 outlook (per Q4 FY25 call, 2025-07-29)

FY26 guideRange
Reported net sales$84B-$85B (+3-5%)
Adjusted EPS$4.50-$4.60 (+1-3% with $0.16 incentive headwind)
Dividends~$1B planned
Share repurchases~$1B planned
Target net leverage ratio2.5x

Key risks

  • Restaurant traffic cycle: Foodservice volume tied to dining-out frequency. Recession would compress.
  • Local case volume: Improving but still negative; needs to inflect positive for thesis.
  • Inflation pass-through: Food cost inflation typically passes through but with lag.
  • Competition: US Foods + Performance Food Group + regional distributors.
  • International cycle: Strong currently; FX exposure.
  • Labor + driver: Foodservice distribution labor-intensive.

Bottom line

SYY FY25 is the international standout + US recovery year. Revenue +3%, EPS -4% on operating expense investment + incentive comp. International +20.1% adj OI (7 consecutive Q DD). FY26 guide $84-$85B + EPS $4.50-$4.60. Risks are restaurant cycle + local volume + inflation. Quality leader with continued capital return.

Citations

  • Sysco Corp. FY25 Form 10-K (filed July 2025, SEC EDGAR; June 28, 2025 fiscal year end).
  • SYY Q4 FY25 earnings call, 2025-07-29 — Q4 sales $21.1B (+2.8% reported / +3.7% ex-Mexico); adj EPS $1.48 (+6.5%); US local case -1.5% Q4 (200bp improvement vs Q3); International +8.3% ex-Mexico, +20.1% adj OI (7 consecutive Q DD growth); FY26 guide ($84-$85B sales, adj EPS $4.50-$4.60, $1B div + $1B buyback, target 2.5x net leverage).
  • Internal financial_statements view (consolidated annual + cash flow + capital structure).
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