Burdette Beckmann Inc.
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Who We Are.

With a legacy of over 70 years, BBI consistently delivers best-in-class business insights with an emphasis on overall brand building. We offer innovative answers custom-tailored to each client’s specific needs.

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We focus on developing plans of action to ensure both immediate results and continual growth. At BBI, loyalty to our team is a vital aspect of our DNA. Relationships inside of the company are just as important as with our customers outside of it.

This commitment and the hard work it motivates has spoken for itself for decades. It is also the guiding force for our involvement in community service. We foster a fundamental belief in giving back, and our principles are centered on being both grateful and generous.

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‍Check out Our Story.

1955-1965:

In 1955, Ronald F. Burdette, a broker for candy and tobacco products, takes a risk and starts his own business, which he christens Ronald F. Burdette Co.

Working out of Moultrie, Georgia, Burdette’s venture extends to cover grocery chains, convenience stores, and candy/tobacco wholesalers in the state of Florida. His newly founded business begins to grow rapidly, and soon, he brings on a partner to help handle incoming accounts. Hubert Smith, who is also a snack broker, comes on board at this time.

1966-1975:

As the business continues expanding, Burdette and Smith invite Robert Taylor, Sr., known simply as “Senior,” to join the team. Senior becomes the third co-owner of the Ronald F. Burdette Co. He is an ideal addition to the company to deal directly with clients located in Florida, where he was living at the time. And while Burdette and Smith had brokering acumen, Senior had also worked in sales for years and brought another dimension of innovation to the table. He worked his way up at one of the nation’s leading tobacco firms, expanding the business and eventually becoming their primary supermarket rep. (A little fun fact: Senior was the very first confectionery broker to place candy at Disney world! The one stipulation? No gum, since it sticks to the pavement.)

Burdette passes away and leaves ownership of the company to Smith and Senior, who move Ronald F. Burdette Co. headquarters to Hollywood, Florida.

1976-1989:

Hubert Smith retires, and Senior decides to merge the company with another firm, Fred G. Beckmann Co. Beckmann was a well-known, Miami-based broker who worked with a number of national brands. To recognize the new union between the two, the name is changed to Burdette Beckmann Inc.

Soon, Senior brings on his son, Robert Taylor, Jr., to fill an open Sales Executive position located in south Florida. Robert Junior and another associate see an untapped market segment with Vending. Despite an onslaught of competition, he dedicates his energy and resources to establish BBI’s presence in the Vending channel as pioneers. This gives BBI a substantial edge over competitive firms.

1990-2000:

Burdette Beckmann Inc. (BBI) expands business outside of Florida by acquiring the Value channel in the Carolinas. Robert Junior continues to seek disruptive methods of sales, marketing, and distribution, leading to the introduction of the Special Markets channel to Florida retailers. This requires immense innovation on Robert Junior’s part, since at this time, sellers outside of the snack and confectionery industries did not offer candy. BBI became the first to place snacks in locations such as Blockbuster, Office Depot, and Sports Authority.

Additionally, during this time, Senior is inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame, which recognizes industry leaders across the globe.

2001:

Senior retires, and Robert Junior takes full ownership of BBI. He names Jack Anderson as his Vice President. The company grows exponentially with Junior at the helm and has a total of 34 acquisitions to date.

2007:

BBI launches a new channel, club/drug/mass. The company continues expansion geographically and establishes relationships with firms nationwide.

2017-2019:

Jack Anderson retires in August 2017 with a grand send-off bash, though he remains a strong part of the BBI family.

The company forms a partnership with Florida Atlantic University’s division of Research. The alliance includes BBI commerce and a BBI incubator project alongside the FAU Tech Runway program, which provides education and insight for entrepreneurs looking to get business ideas off the ground and into reality.

2021

Following his father's steps, in October 2021, Robert Junior is inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame (twenty-five years after Senior - Class of 1995.) A recognition to honor and celebrate all his contributions to the confectionery industry.

2023-2024

In October 2023, the strategic acquisition of PROMARK expands BBI's Convenience Store market presence across 37 states.​

​In January 2024, BBI strengthened its capabilities in key grocery markets across the Mid-Atlantic and Florida regions by acquiring Engage CPG.

Furthermore, the BBI team continues to thrive and grow. We have perpetually added personnel and professionals to our sales, support, and technology divisions. We pride ourselves on remaining on the cutting-edge of technology systems, utilizing NIQ Syndicated & Panel, Kantar, Tibco, Numerator, and 1010, to name a few. We are committed to continual expansion, both geographically and creatively. With increasing performance efficiencies across the board, BBI has also opened facilities and offices in new locations, including Virginia and Vancouver, WA.

Today:

In 2025, BBI proudly marks its 70th anniversary. Over the decades, BBI has continued to expand and innovate, fostering long-term client relationships and creating new ones. The company remains devoted to providing creative solutions with brand building and growth always at the forefront. BBI continues to expand facilities and offices in new locations, including Dallas, TX (opened January 2025) and Charlotte, NC (coming summer 2025).

We remain true to a fundamental belief in giving back, and of being both grateful and generous. BBI is active in philanthropic initiatives and partners with key nonprofit organizations. We are proud of the work we do to support the likes of Sheridan House, Habitat for Humanity Broward, and many others.

Our Approach

We emphasize the importance of client relationships and excellent service. At BBI, we help nurture business’ growth by keeping you up to date on market trends and insights to create compelling strategies that best suit your needs. With our expert knowledge of products, market landscape, and data analytics, we are ideally equipped to devise strategies that maximize sales and ensure long-term success.

Furthermore, BBI has a legacy of innovation that spans over 70 years. In pursuing untraditional market segments, BBI was a pioneer in Vending and Special Markets as channels of trade. We are risk-takers, undaunted by the disruption of conventional systems of sales and marketing.

Today, we bring this creative culture to every account and each of our five channels of trade (Grocery, Vending, Special Markets, C-Store, and Value). We identify areas of opportunity and capitalize upon them, seeking out and fortifying even small parts of the business with potential for growth. It is this keen attention to detail that helps BBI render tangible, abiding results.

Perhaps our primary value is giving back. As a company, we are actively involved with community service efforts and organizations in Florida and beyond. It is a principle central to BBI’s brand identity to be both grateful and generous, and we have been repeatedly recognized for our efforts in the community over the years.

Our Mission

At BBI, our mission is to provide innovative solutions centered on short-term strategy, long-term growth, and giving back to our community.

Our Vision

To pursue ambitious, creatively uncharted channels and avenues of success for our clients, while continuing to give back to our community.

Our Values

Commitment

There is no challenge too great to tackle. BBI identifies areas of opportunity and exploits them into fortified segments of potential growth. Instead of settling on the easiest way of doing things, we commit to the most effective way.

Follow-Through

A crucial aspect of BBI’s approach to business is ensuring that the execution of strategies is complete and effectual to render substantial growth. We believe the implementation is vital to affecting both short-term goals and long-term growth alike.

Giving Back

Generosity is one of our core values and drives our system of beliefs at BBI. We are actively involved with community service efforts and organizations in Florida and beyond. We’ve been repeatedly recognized for these efforts over the years. Organizations that we are proud to work with include Sheridan House, Habitat for Humanity Broward, and Back on My Feet (Florida Chapter), to name a few.

Innovation + Disruption

We believe that there is no single “right” way to do things. BBI is committed to thinking outside of the box to create innovative solutions with a hands-on approach and a fearless attitude. Disrupting traditional market segments and methods is ingrained in our DNA.

Loyalty

It represents our dedication to our clients, but also to our team. Relationships inside the company are just as important as with customers outside of it. This loyalty and the hard work that it motivates, has spoken for itself for seven decades.