Rykoff Sexton Coffee Tins and Collectibles

Rykoff-Sexton was a food service distributor. Its coffee now survives mainly as vintage tins.

Updated Oct 20, 2026. Edited by: Ilyass Ben Hakim.

Where to buy

Rykoff-Sexton merged into U.S. Foodservice in 1997. Its branded coffee is no longer sold new. Online auctions, antique malls and estate sales are where tins appear.

Professional insight

Tin collectors grade Rykoff and Sexton cans on lid, paint and rust.

Original lids add more value than full contents.
Sexton alone predates the 1983 Rykoff purchase.
Food service sizes, like large cans, are rarer finds.
Ask for photos of the base and seam.

Check the label

Brand reads Rykoff-Sexton, Rykoff or Sexton, matching the listing.
City and company address printed on the tin.
Net weight in pounds or ounces.
Roast or grind type, such as regular or drip.
Lid present and from the same tin.
Rust, dents or paint loss shown in photos.

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Rykoff-Sexton timeline

Sexton roots: Chicago, 1880s; Sources differ on 1883 or 1886.
Companies combined: 1983; S.E. Rykoff bought John Sexton & Co.
Merged into U.S. Foodservice: 1997

John Sexton & Co. started as a coffee and tea seller in Chicago. S.E. Rykoff grew on the West Coast and also distributed coffee.

Before you buy

Decide if you want display condition or a cheaper rough tin.
Check shipping costs, as large food service cans are bulky.
Ask whether the tin is empty or still sealed.
Compare sold listings, not asking prices.

Care

Wipe tins with a dry soft cloth only.
Keep them away from damp basements to stop rust.
Avoid metal polish on printed paint.

Common questions

Can I still buy Rykoff Sexton coffee to drink?: No current product carries that name. The company was absorbed into U.S. Foodservice in 1997.
Who owns the brand now?: The business became part of U.S. Foodservice, today US Foods. Old brand names were phased out.
Are sealed old cans worth more?: Sometimes, for display. Never open them to drink the coffee.