Our Story
Merlino Foods was founded in 1900 by Italian immigrant Angelo Merlino. Over time, his sons, Ubaldo and Attilio, joined the business, and Angelo Merlino & Sons became a cornerstone of Seattle’s growing Italian community. More than just a store, it served as an informal bank and a gathering place, a true “city center” for Italian-Americans in the region.
Following the passing of Angelo and Ubaldo, Attilio continued to lead the company, carrying forward the family’s commitment to quality, community, and service.
In 1976, Bruce and Phyllis Biesold purchased the business and began a new chapter. With a background managing distribution and operations for more than 30 local Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants, Bruce brought a strong operational foundation to the company. Operations officially began in a rented facility in Seattle’s Rainier Valley in January 1976, with Bruce as the sole employee. The entire family, Phyllis and their children Todd, Ronna, and Jeff, contributed on evenings and weekends.
From the beginning, the guiding principle was simple: provide customers with the highest quality products and exceptional service. That commitment included ensuring customers received their products when they needed them, with a promise of 100% order fulfillment.
As the business grew, the first outside employee was hired in 1978, followed shortly by Mark Whitney, who remains the company’s longest-tenured employee. Continued growth led to multiple expansions, from the original facility to an 8,000 square foot warehouse in 1988, an additional 3,000 square feet soon after, and then a move in 1995 to a 39,000 square foot facility in Seattle’s industrial district. In 2007, Merlino Foods moved into its current home, a 98,000 square foot building located just two miles from downtown Seattle.
In October 2025, Merlino Foods was acquired by the Erickson family, ensuring the company remains proudly family-owned. The Erickson family’s roots in food distribution date back to 1923.
Our philosophy remains the same. Like Merlino Foods, the Erickson family has always believed in supporting local customers, building relationships, and helping businesses succeed. Together, that shared commitment ensures that the core values established over a century ago, quality products, reliable service, and deep roots in the community, continue to guide Merlino Foods into the future.
