A family tradition since 1949...
Vision: To be the premier wholesale food distributor to any location where food is
prepared away from home in southeast Michigan.
Mission: Demonstrate excellence in wholesale food distribution by providing
products and services that drive customer success with the following characteristics:
prepared away from home in southeast Michigan.
Mission: Demonstrate excellence in wholesale food distribution by providing
products and services that drive customer success with the following characteristics:
- Extraordinary flexibility and responsiveness to requests
- Ethics: Fair, honest, & consistent pricing on all products
- Unique and/or new product offerings and deliveries in a timely manner
- Highest product quality and freshness
The Atlas Story
The food business was not a new endeavor for Athas P.
Kotsis. In the early 1900’s Athas owned a grocery store,
Athens Grocery, in Detroit Michigan’s Greektown area.
Athas eventually sold Athens Grocery and established
Atlas Importing Company during World War II (1939) in
the Eastern Market area of Detroit. Atlas Importing
Company was located in a larger facility with a location
that was more opportune for growing the business.
Athas chose the name, Atlas, for two main reasons:
Kotsis. In the early 1900’s Athas owned a grocery store,
Athens Grocery, in Detroit Michigan’s Greektown area.
Athas eventually sold Athens Grocery and established
Atlas Importing Company during World War II (1939) in
the Eastern Market area of Detroit. Atlas Importing
Company was located in a larger facility with a location
that was more opportune for growing the business.
Athas chose the name, Atlas, for two main reasons:
- The new name needed to convey that this grocery
store was a place where people could always
find food from all over the world, not only
traditional local food. - He also wanted a name that would be easy to
look up in the phonebook; Atlas worked well
since it would appear near the beginning.
Athas hired his second son, Jim Kotsis, at Atlas Importing Company in 1958. Since Atlas Importing Company was
growing at a steady rate, Jim’s helping hand was a welcome relief to Athas and Pete. As Atlas continued to grow,
several duties began to require regular attention; both glamorous and not so glamorous. Pete and Jim filled several
different rolls at the company; selling products, delivering orders, unloading trucks, and sweeping the floors at the end
of the day.
growing at a steady rate, Jim’s helping hand was a welcome relief to Athas and Pete. As Atlas continued to grow,
several duties began to require regular attention; both glamorous and not so glamorous. Pete and Jim filled several
different rolls at the company; selling products, delivering orders, unloading trucks, and sweeping the floors at the end
of the day.
Atlas founder, Athas Kotsis
As Atlas continued to grow, other employees were hired.
The new employees filled the rolls of salesmen, order
takers, drivers, and warehouse workers. Since the strength
of Atlas Importing Company proved to be in wholesale food
distribution, the name of the company was changed and
was incorporated as Atlas Wholesale Food Company in
1969.
The new employees filled the rolls of salesmen, order
takers, drivers, and warehouse workers. Since the strength
of Atlas Importing Company proved to be in wholesale food
distribution, the name of the company was changed and
was incorporated as Atlas Wholesale Food Company in
1969.
The new facility included a single level warehouse, indoor truck docks, and large offices. This is the facility that Atlas
currently occupies. In 1987 the owners decided to expand the refrigeration/ freezer capacity by building an addition to
the existing facility.
In 2005, Michael Kotsis, Ted's oldest son, joined the company. His arrival marked the third generation of family
working with Atlas. He has taken the role of Business Strategy and Execution at Atlas. And in 2007, John Kohl,
grandson of Athas Kotsis, joined the Atlas team.
Atlas Wholesale Food Company, with roots running back for nearly one century, and three generations of family, is a
reliable source of supply for restaurants in the metro Detroit area. With an ever-expanding and changing product mix,
Atlas is committed to one never-changing goal; “Quality and Service is Our Motto”. With continued commitment from
all of Atlas' employees, this motto will provide the foundation for the ongoing success of Atlas Wholesale Food
Company.
currently occupies. In 1987 the owners decided to expand the refrigeration/ freezer capacity by building an addition to
the existing facility.
In 2005, Michael Kotsis, Ted's oldest son, joined the company. His arrival marked the third generation of family
working with Atlas. He has taken the role of Business Strategy and Execution at Atlas. And in 2007, John Kohl,
grandson of Athas Kotsis, joined the Atlas team.
Atlas Wholesale Food Company, with roots running back for nearly one century, and three generations of family, is a
reliable source of supply for restaurants in the metro Detroit area. With an ever-expanding and changing product mix,
Atlas is committed to one never-changing goal; “Quality and Service is Our Motto”. With continued commitment from
all of Atlas' employees, this motto will provide the foundation for the ongoing success of Atlas Wholesale Food
Company.
Detroit-1954
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Atlas was a successful business and needed more
employees to keep up with the growth. In 1949, Athas
looked to his eldest son, Pete Kotsis, for assistance.
Pete learned his roll very quickly and took on an
important roll at Atlas. His primary responsibility was
customized order fulfillment to restaurants in the area.
Pete’s significant and successful contribution of fulfilling
customer requests created the foundation for the
transition of Atlas Importing Company into Atlas
Wholesale Food Company.
employees to keep up with the growth. In 1949, Athas
looked to his eldest son, Pete Kotsis, for assistance.
Pete learned his roll very quickly and took on an
important roll at Atlas. His primary responsibility was
customized order fulfillment to restaurants in the area.
Pete’s significant and successful contribution of fulfilling
customer requests created the foundation for the
transition of Atlas Importing Company into Atlas
Wholesale Food Company.
After graduating college and pursuing other careers, John and Ted also decided to join the family business. Ted and
John took on specific responsibilities at Atlas. John took ownership over sales and marketing activities, while Ted
took ownership over Atlas’ financial and accounting responsibilities.
John took on specific responsibilities at Atlas. John took ownership over sales and marketing activities, while Ted
took ownership over Atlas’ financial and accounting responsibilities.
Eventually Atlas’ operations exceeded the capacity of the
single facility that it occupied, so the owners decided it was
time to expand. Atlas expanded its operations into several
facilities on the East Fisher Freeway near the Eastern
Market area. Ultimately it became inefficient to operate the
business in several buildings. In 1976 the decision was
made to move to a single facility on Detroit’s east side.
single facility that it occupied, so the owners decided it was
time to expand. Atlas expanded its operations into several
facilities on the East Fisher Freeway near the Eastern
Market area. Ultimately it became inefficient to operate the
business in several buildings. In 1976 the decision was
made to move to a single facility on Detroit’s east side.
Current Atlas Logo in 2007
| Logos over the years... |
| Original Logo, and still on our headquarters |
| Logo in the 60's |
| Logo throughout the 70's |
| Logo used in the 1980's |
| Logo used in the 1980's |
| 2007 Atlas Wholesale Food Company Atlas Web Design~ Contact WebMaster |