Phoenix liquor distributor braces for layoffs after recent sale

🚫 Republic National Distributing Company, one of the country’s largest wholesale wine and spirits distributors, has filed a WARN notice with the state of Arizona disclosing plans to lay off 211 employees at its Phoenix facility.

The move follows RNDC’s sale of its Arizona operations to Reyes Beverage Group, the nation’s largest beer distributor, in March.

Arizona is one of more than a dozen states affected by the deal, with RNDC issuing WARN notices covering nearly 2,800 workers nationwide.

For local bars, restaurants, and retailers, RNDC has long been the behind-the-scenes link between producers and the shelves and back bars of the Valley.

Whether the transition to Reyes brings any changes to distribution relationships or product availability remains to be seen.