In 1948, the General Electric Plant on 9th Street in Owensboro secured the services of a new candy vendor, Canteen Service of Evansville, Indiana. Evansville Canteen Owner, Carl Hedin, and his two associates saw a lot of potential in the Owensboro area; and Jim Smith was hired two years later to service the candy machines at the General Electric Plant.

When Smith was not servicing the GE accounts, he was out knocking on doors trying to secure new business. Within a year, two more prestigious accounts were booked, Tell City Chair Company and the General Electric Plant in Tell City. Constant growth in the Owensboro area led to a decision in 1953 for it to become an independent branch of its own, still under the primary ownership of Hedin. Up until this time, the Smith home on Parrish Court served as the branch offices. Smith's wife, Lida, received product into the basement of their home through the coal chute. In 1954, office and warehouse space on Hanning Lane were leased.

Lum Cummings purchased the business in 1956 as Canteen continued its growth in providing service to regional businesses and industries. To accommodate the flourishing business, another move was made in 1958, this time to 33 Plum Street. Fifteen years later, Canteen Service of Owensboro, Inc, was on the move again, this time to 314 Ewing Road.

The current President/Owner of Canteen Service Company of Owensboro, Inc, Jerry H. Haase, arrived in Owensboro during the late summer of 1976. Haase, an Indianapolis, Indiana native, took over the reins of a 17-employee business that was suffering due to competition from local and regional venders. Purchasing a struggling company on Friday the 13th (August 13,1976) would be too much a gamble for most any hard core risk-taker; but instead of getting discouraged, Haase rolled up his sleeves and went to work with a steely determination to build a successful business. He went to each and every customer and asked them to give him a chance, a chance to prove that the Canteen Service Company of Owensboro could, and would, deliver a service that was truly second to none.

Existing and prospective customers believed Haase, and he delivered on his promise by providing topnotch products and service. With 99% customer retention rate we now provide food and beverage service for over 100,000 customers daily!