Catering Business Continues to Grow During Economic Slump

The economy may be bad but one thing is certain: everybody gets hungry. For a food service industry like Merri-Makers Catering in Edison, the key to continued success is knowing how to adapt to the times.

Just ask Rick Bott, chief executive officer of the packaged food distribution company headquartered in Raritan Center. As the economy started to plummet in 2008 and 2009, Bott didn't panic when the demand for catering services started to decline. Instead, he expanded his business to include commercial food packaging and distribution, partnering with Bistro MD, a home meal delivery service based in Florida that specializes in diet food.

"In 2008 when the economy tanked we (created) a manufacturing division," Bott said about his catering company. "(We produce) food for Bistro MD."

Merri-Makers expanded its catering service to include production of packaged food and now produces packaged food for national diet food companies. In January of 2011, the company expanded yet again, creating meals for dieters and now deliveries approximately 50,000 of these meals each week throughout the tri-state area.

“This $1 million dollar expansion doubles our capacity and adds more jobs to New Jersey’s economy,” Bott said in an email as he discussed the construction of two commercial kitchens in July. “Before the expansion, we had 45 employees. With the new space, we’ve grown to more than 65 employees and will continue to hire more as we move toward shift work and a (24 hour, seven day a week) schedule.”

Bott is a trained chef turned caterer turned national commercial food distributor. The self-proclaimed “Jersey Boy” finished both college and culinary school before opening up a catering business in Red Bank in 1978. Over time he hired Jack McCann, a professionally trained chef. Bott and his brother Andrew created a company that grossed $10 million in annual sales last year.

“I came home at 16 and announced to my parents that I was going to own a restaurant,” Bott said. “They said, ‘that’s nice, pass the mashed potatoes.’ I paid $3,000 for a local catering business (in 1978). It’s hard work. You need a couple of big breaks and you gotta love what you do.”

Merri-Makers Catering, the flagship service, continues to remain fiscally sound. It provides off-site catering services for private events such as weddings and corporate functions. Bott's company also includes a Culinary Response Team (CRT) division that provides food to disaster relief personnel at the American Red Cross and other local, state and federal agencies during emergencies.

The MM365 division prepares and packages food that is sold at numerous commercial venues including Bonnet Island Estate in Manahawkin, the Morris Museum in Morristown and the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison. They produce, package, and distribute both frozen and fresh food.

“We have a loyal staff,” Bott said as he explained what he believes makes his business continue to thrive. “We have a great atmosphere here. Everybody gets a free lunch and family comes first. You have a problem at home, you take care of that first.”

For more information on Merri-Makers including employment opportunities, visit their website. You can also contact Elizabeth Sedlock at esedlock@percepture.com, or call 636-699-9554.