 This gave Sexton a coast to coast distribution and sales network to service their 79,000 customers.In late 1968, John Sexton & Co. was purchased by Beatrice Foods for $37.5 million in Beatrice preferred shares and assumption of Sexton debt.. Beatrice Foods operated Sexton as an independent division until 1983, when Beatrice sold Sexton to S.E.Rykoff & Co of Los Angeles, CA for $84.5 million.