Could Amazon take on Sysco? Don’t bet against itCould Amazon take on Sysco? Don’t bet against it

This post is part of the On the Margin blog. 

Amazon Inc. may not be able to get into the restaurant business, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t have a major impact on the industry — by getting into distribution.

There’s been speculation that Amazon could make a move to start selling more goods to restaurants, following its acquisition of Whole Foods Market Inc. — thanks to a report by Morgan Stanley Analyst John Ivankoe.

But here’s the thing. “Amazon is already a distributor to the foodservice industry,” said Bob Sala, an industry consultant who specializes in the distribution business.

Indeed, in 2015 the company created Amazon Business and within 12 months it had generated $1 billion in business. Some of that is being sold to restaurants...