About Us

Harold Berk, a chemistry major from The Ohio State University, developed a formula for an insecticide called Quickill. His innovation began with the Warren courthouse as one of his first customers. Over time, the company grew, offering comprehensive pest control solutions tailored to both residential and commercial needs, reflecting its evolution from a specialized product to a broader service provider in pest management.

Harold Berk was approached with a business proposal to partner in selling janitorial supplies, leading to the creation of Warren Paper and Sanitation. Together, they expanded their offerings to include products like toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues while convvatinuing to sell Harold’s original insecticide, Quickill. This partnership marked the company's transition into a broader range of essential products. A year later, Harold Berk bought out his partner.

In the early 1970s, Harold Berk rebranded Warren Paper and Sanitation as Berk Paper. Responding to growing demand, the company expanded its product line to include basic restaurant supplies such as pots, pans, salt and pepper shakers, mops, brooms, trash can liners and cleaning supplies. During this time, Berk remained a dominant local family business, catering primarily to restaurant owners and industry professionals purchasing essentials like toilet paper and tissues.

In 1976, the various small divisions operating under the "Berk" umbrella—Berk Rare Coins (a business born from Harold's hobby), Berk Paper, and Berk Concession Supply—were consolidated into a single entity, now known as Berk Enterprises. This unification marked a key moment in the company's history, streamlining operations and setting the foundation for future growth. 

In the late 1970s, the second generation, Rob Berk, joined the family business, bringing a passion for the outdoor amusement industry inspired by fairs and carnivals. Noticing the generic wheat design on most lemonade cups, Rob saw an opportunity to create a distinct product for the lemonade industry. He designed a cup featuring the word “lemonade” repeated around the cup, coining the phrase “flash is cash.” When he introduced the cups to vendors in Warren and Youngstown, they sold instantly, making Rob the first to create a specialized product for the lemonade market. Rob developed 6 sizes of paper lemonade cups, which eventually expanded into plastic cups, lemonade accessories for trailers, and more. His cups became walking advertisements, showcasing their contents unlike the generic wheat design. Rob embarked on a two-week trip to state fairs across the country to showcase his products, which became a nationwide success. Over time, Berk expanded its offerings to include fry buckets, cotton candy bags, and other concession items, solidifying its reputation as an innovator in the concession space.

As Berk expanded its concession supply offerings, Rob ventured into the cutlery business, supplying distributors nationwide. Over time, the company grew its product range to include cutlery, straws, cups, to-go containers, and more. Around 2014, recognizing a growing demand for sustainable solutions, Berk began offering earth-friendly options, introducing biodegradable and compostable products to meet the needs of environmentally conscious customers.

Rob's eldest daughter, Reilly, joined the family business full-time in 2021, having started working for the company at the age of 15. Growing up, Reilly developed a deep fascination with the foodservice and concession industry. In 2022, Rob appointed Reilly as CEO while retaining a collaborative role within the company. Together, Rob and Reilly worked side by side to expand the business and its product line, continuing the family legacy of innovation and growth.

To support its growth initiatives, Berk opened a second distribution center in Jackson, MS, enhancing its ability to serve customers in the Southeast more effectively. As the company continues to expand, it remains focused on providing exceptional service and optimizing efficiency to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

Reilly Berk became the majority owner of Berk Enterprises, achieving the significant milestone of becoming a Certified Woman-Owned Business. This accomplishment reflects the company's commitment to diversity and innovation while continuing to uphold its legacy of excellence.