Thompson & Little Inc., a locally based foodservice equipment company, has been purchased by Singer Equipment Company. 
 

When it was founded in 1945, T&L was a small food service supplies dealership that served the local community. 
 

“Wilbur and Lucille O’Quinn purchased the company in the1950s,” said Drew O’Quinn, president of Singer T&L. 
 

Over the years, the company grew to be a third generation company under the leadership of Danny and Lynne O’Quinn, and later their son. 
 

In time, T&L evolved into one of the largest food service equipment dealerships in the Southeast. 
 

“With nearly 50 employees, Thompson & Little serviced clients from Washington, D.C. down to southern Georgia,” O’Quinn said. 
 

SEC, the fifth largest foodservice equipment and supplies distributor by sales volume in the country, was founded in 1918. SEC also is a family business, spanning three generations.  Headquartered in Pennsylvania, the equipment company’s five distribution centers add up to more than 450,000 square feet. Singer serves all 50 states and the Carribean and is the largest foodservice equipment and supplies dealer servicing the NY-DC market. 
 

O’Quinn met Fred Singer, owner, president and CEO of Singer Equipment Company, through his Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association membership. The Association is the national alliance for the dealer community. 
 

After meeting O’Quinn at the annual convention and staying in touch, Singer grew interested in T&L’s marketplace. 
 

“Given the strong reputation and stellar performance within our industry, I knew it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” O’Quinn said. 
 

With a great reputation and large network of customers in tow, Singer Equipment Company acquired T&L, Inc. on April 1.
 

Although the acquisition is big news for the Fayetteville-based company, SEC is honoring T&L’s roots. 
 

“T&L has been fortunate over the years to employ long-time staff members that are responsive, knowledgeable, and friendly,” O’ Quinn said. “We intend to continue servicing our clients now and into the future just like we did for the last 75 years.”
 

“I am excited about the opportunities that this acquisition will bring to our company and the employees and customers of Thompson & Little,” Fred Singer said. “Drew and his team have a reputation for performing high quality work and managing technical and complex projects.” 
 

“Most importantly, they share our passion for building long-term customer relationships. We look forward to supporting the growth of Singer T&L and building on the great team that is already in place.” 
 

Singer and O’Quinn both said they are excited about the acquisition and the benefits their companies will reap, and consumers can expect the same quality services that Thompson & Little has provided for 75 years. 
 

However, with the purchase of T&L comes room for improving the customer experience, as well. The acquisition has created the opportunity for a few added benefits, to include digital shopping.
 

“We will still offer the same services we have always offered — quality kitchen equipment at the most competitive prices, smallwares packages, furniture, custom fabrication, kitchen design and layout, as well as consultation and project management.” O’Quinn said. “With the Singer acquisition, we will now have a robust E-commerce website for our customers to purchase from, as well as equipment distribution warehouses to ship from.”
 

In addition to the E-commerce website, expansion is a possibility, which in turn will create more employment opportunities. 
 

“From a regional standpoint, we do hope to continue growing on the successes of the past, and hope to double the size of the organization within five years.” O’Quinn said. “If Singer T&L grows as we intend over the next number of years, that will create new jobs locally. We just opened a distribution warehouse off of Highway 301 by the Walmart shopping center.”
 

Singer’s Chief Financial Officer Seth Feldman agrees. 
 

“Our entire leadership team is looking forward to working closely with Drew and all of Singer T&L to grow our business throughout the Southeast,” he said. “Drew has a track record of success, as well as a history of industry leadership. We look forward to welcoming Drew and his team to Singer.”
 

In addition to the services they provide locally, Singer T&L is actively involved in the Cumberland County community, supporting organizations like the Special Olympics of NC, Sustainable Sandhills, Cape Fear Regional Theater, Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, American Red Cross and the Alzheimers Association, the Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville, and the Center for Economic Empowerment and Development, to name a few. 
 

Singer T&L services correctional facilities, schools and cafeterias, healthcare facilities, government facilities, and restaurants and churches in addition to their work with kitchen design, fabrication and millwork, showroom sales, financing, and service and repair. 
 

Singer T&L’s headquarters is located at 933 Robeson Street . To learn more about Singer Equipment Company, visit https://www.singerequipment.com/ . To learn more about Singer T&L, visit http://thompsonlittle.com/.