agar general

AGAR Bios

Karen Bressler

Karen Bressler

President & CEO

Karen Bressler serves as Chief Executive Officer of AGAR, New England’s largest independent foodservice distributor. Bressler took over the role of CEO in 2001 and has led the company through double-digit growth since taking the top position. The efforts of her and her team have secured AGAR’s top position in the foodservice industry in the region.

AGAR was founded in 1940 as a Boston meat distributor, supplying meats to the Chinese community. And while the company still maintains their roots, AGAR continues to offer additional food items becoming a leader in providing “Center of the Plate” solutions to a wide range of food establishments and retailers.

Bressler has spearheaded the building of the company's new facilities in Taunton, added new product offerings all with the purpose of adding broadline foodservice to AGAR’s core business. The result has been significant growth over the past several years. A hard-working CEO, Bressler devotes much of her time to growing AGAR through unique customer relationships and managing a dedicated team of more then 390 talented people.

Ms. Bressler can be a resource on a number of topics and trends including;

  • Trends in Foodservice
  • Industry Issues and Concerns
  • Overall Meat Business
  • Seafood Business and Trends
  • Broadline Foodservice Distribution
  • Ethnic Foodservice and Products
  • Overall Restaurant Business and Trends
  • Foodservice and Distribution Management
  • Family-run Business

Bressler is fluent in six languages and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s from Boston University. Bressler also earned a Master's of International Management degree from The Garvin Thunderbird School of International Management. She lends her support to several charitable endeavors and is a devoted board member of Community Servings, helping to provide meals to those with life-threatening illnesses. Ms. Bressler has been featured in local and national press, including The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, and the CBS Early Morning Show.