Netherlands-based Koninklijke Ahold N.V., or Royal Ahold, announced it has reached an agreement to sell U.S. Foodservice to a consortium of equity investors for $7.1 billion pending shareholder approval at a June 19 meeting. Industry experts said that once the sale is approved, it could set the stage for Ahold to sell its Landover-based Giant Food supermarket chain.

The consortium, composed of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund VII L.P. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., expects to close on the deal in the second half of 2007, subject to antitrust clearances and shareholder approval.

U.S. Foodservice, based in Columbia, is the second largest food service distributor in the United States, with 2006 net sales of $19.2 billion. It employs more than 27,000 workers, including 500 at its Columbia headquarters. The company distributes food and related products across the United States.