Company History

These horses were stabled at Leroy Hill Ranch in Grand Bay, Alabama. The picture of the horse team on the package is the actual team that was stabled at Leroy Hill Ranch.

The Leroy Hill Coffe Company® was founded by Leroy Hill. Mr. Hill started working as a salesman for The Belford Company, in Savannah, Georgia, making $40 per week in 1953.  In 1956, Hill was transferred to Mobile to open a branch for The Belford Company. Leroy Hill’s life came full circle in 1983 when Hill & Brooks® purchased the Belford Company from the Belford family.

Mr. Belford passed away in 1968 and his son asked Leroy Hill to purchase the Mobile operation of the Belford Company, consisting of six employees. During the 1960's, the company expanded into the Florida panhandle. By the 1970's, Hill & Brooks® had grown to eleven additional locations, including the service centers and warehouses. During this time, the company expanded into Georgia.

During the 1980's, the company expanded into the entire Southeast. The product line grew considerably with new additions of both hot and cold beverages. The products can be found in restaurants, health care facilities, grocery stores, and convenience stores. Currently, the Leroy Hill Coffee Company® has 22 locations with service centers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Life Comes Full Circle for Leroy Hill

• 1953: Leroy Hill went to work for Belford Company, earning $40.00 per week
• 1956: Hill opened the Mobile branch for Belford Company
• 1959: Under a subcontract with Belford, the Mobile branch was renamed L. Roy Hill Company.
• 1961: Hill offered stock to his brother, Carl Hill and his brothers-in-law, Brooks and Gatlin, all of whom worked for the company. Carl chose not to be part of the company, but Brooks and Gatlin joined L. Roy Hill Company and the name changed later to HBG Coffee Service.
• 1969: HBG purchased the Mobile branch of Belford Company
• 1981: The company was renamed Hill & Brooks Coffee Company, Inc.®
• 1983: Hill & Brooks® purchased Belford Company of Savannah, Georgia, where Hill’s coffee career began.
• 1989: Hill & Brooks® began distributing Hill & Brooks® coffee and tea in retail outlets throughout the southeast.

• April 3, 1999: The company was renamed Leroy Hill Coffee Company, Inc.® to show true ownership.