Reyes was born in 1953, the eldest son of Joseph A. Reyes and Frances “Frannie” Marie Reyes (nee Collins) (1925-2013). He has seven brothers and one sister, M. Jude Reyes, David K. Reyes, William F. Reyes, John J. Reyes, James V. Reyes, Julie Reyes Taubman (married to Robert S. Taubman), Thomas A. Reyes, and Stephen Reyes (died before 2013).

He began his business career by purchasing a small Schlitz beer distribution business in Spartanburg, South Carolina with his brother and father. Running all aspects of the operation with his brother, the firm aggressively acquired beer distribution businesses and brands. Since 1976, Reyes Holdings has acquired more than 115 beer distribution operations. In April 1998, the firm expanded beyond beer distribution with the purchase of the Martin-Brower Company, a dedicated McDonald’s distribution business operating primarily in the US.

Reyes is married to Anne N. Reyes, they have four children and live in Hobe Sound, Florida. In 2010, he bought a house with 44 acres in Aspen, Colorado for $47.5 million.