Ameriserve [LOGO]


For immediate release

For additional information contact:
Stan Szlauderbach  (214) 364-2238

              RITTENMEYER APPROVED AS AMERISERVE PRESIDENT AND CEO

     DALLAS  (March 20,  2000)-- The  appointment  of Ronald A.  Rittenmeyer  as
president and chief executive officer of AmeriServe Food Distribution, Inc., was
approved  on  Friday,  March 17,  by the U.S.  Bankruptcy  Court in  Wilmington,
Delaware.

     AmeriServe has continued operations since filing a voluntary petition under
Chapter 11 on January 31 and has received interim financing from its two largest
customers, Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc., and Burger King Corporation.

     AmeriServe,  headquartered  in Addison,  Texas, a suburb of Dallas,  is the
nation's largest distributor specializing in chain restaurants,  serving leading
quick service systems such as Burger King, Chick-fil-A, KFC, Long John Silver's,
Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.