Happy Day Brands taps Tom Lyons to expand foodservice business

By AI, Created 4:48 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Happy Day Brands named Tom Lyons vice president of national accounts and new business development for its foodservice division on May 13, 2026. The hire gives the Boise-based natural and organic food company a veteran operator to push growth in colleges, K-12 schools and national accounts.

Why it matters: - Happy Day Brands is trying to scale its foodservice division across education and national accounts. - Tom Lyons brings more than 30 years of foodservice experience to that effort. - Lyons’ background in colleges, K-12 and strategic partnerships fits the company’s expansion targets.

What happened: - Happy Day Brands appointed Tom Lyons, CFSP, as vice president of national accounts and new business development for its foodservice division. - The company made the announcement on May 13, 2026. - Lyons will lead expansion in Colleges & Universities, K-12 education segments, national accounts and strategic partnerships. - Lyons will remain based in the Denver area.

The details: - Lyons previously held leadership roles at Sysco, BSI and Ecolab. - At Sysco, Lyons led the national strategy for Colleges & Universities and K-12 foodservice. - During that period, revenue in that business grew from $60 million to $659 million. - Lyons most recently served as director of education and new business development at Good Source Solutions. - In that role, Lyons helped launch and grow higher education initiatives. - Lyons also built partnerships with industry organizations and group purchasing networks. - Lyons received the NACUFS Daryl Van Hook Industry Award for contributions to foodservice in higher education. - Lyons holds CFSP status and additional certifications from the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers and ServSafe. - Happy Day Brands is a Boise-based Idaho Benefit Corporation and social impact company co-founded by Mark and Jeanette Priddy in 2017. - Happy Day Brands uses a buy-one, give-one model tied to its Good For You, Good For All™ initiative. - The company has donated more than 8 million meals to Feeding America food banks. - Happy Day Brands sells non-GMO, organic and gluten-free products including oatmeal, granola, protein powders, nut butters, high-protein on-the-go cups, protein pancakes, flours, grains, seeds and baking mixes. - The company serves universities, restaurants, hotels and other non-commercial institutions. - Happy Day Brands is also expanding its retail presence nationwide. - More information is available at Happy Day Brands.

Between the lines: - The hire signals that Happy Day Brands wants more than distribution growth; it wants deeper access to institutional buyers. - Lyons’ education-sector background suggests the company is prioritizing channels with repeat volume and long sales cycles. - Mark Priddy framed the hire as a cultural fit as much as a commercial move, tying growth plans to the company’s mission-driven brand.

What’s next: - Lyons is expected to focus on building the foodservice platform and broadening partnerships across national accounts and education. - Happy Day Brands will likely use the role to accelerate its national foodservice reach while keeping its social impact positioning front and center.