NOVELTY HILL SERVES AS EXCLUSIVE INVESTMENT BANKER IN MERLINO FOODS ACQUISITION BY ERICKSON FAMILY
SEATTLE, WA – October 29, 2025: Novelty Hill Capital is pleased to announce its role as the exclusive financial advisor to The Erickson Family in its acquisition of Merlino Foods. This transaction ensures the 125-year-old Seattle institution remains independent under local ownership. It further marks a thoughtful transition of stewardship from the Biesold Family, who led the company for nearly 50 years, to the Erickson Family, whose food industry heritage dates back to 1923 with the founding of Harbor Foods in Aberdeen, Washington.
The acquisition represents the continuation of a legacy business deeply woven into the Pacific Northwest’s culinary community. Merlino Foods will continue to operate as a stand-alone company, separate from Harbor Foods, maintaining its long-standing commitment to exceptional service, product quality, and its close-knit team culture.
Todd Biesold, Owner of Merlino Foods, on behalf of the Biesold Family, stated: “Over the past 50 years, we’ve built Merlino Foods into the premier specialty food distributor in the Seattle market. It was imperative to pass the company to a family that would continue to build on our legacy. We are confident that Merlino Foods will be in great hands and remain grateful to the customers, employees, and partners who have supported us for decades.”
Justin Erickson, Chairman of Merlino Foods, added: “Our family is truly honored to carry on the Merlino Foods legacy. This company is part of Seattle’s history and food culture, and we are committed to preserving its independence, exceptional service, and caring team. We look forward to supporting Merlino’s continued growth and deep community impact.”
Michael Barber, Founder, CEO & Managing Director of Novelty Hill Capital, commented: “Facilitating the transition of a 125-year-old family business requires both financial expertise and deep respect for legacy. We are proud to have guided The Erickson Family through this process and to have partnered with the Biesold family and Merlino Foods, which share the Erickson Family’s commitment to independence, quality, and community. This transaction ensures Merlino Foods will continue to thrive as a cornerstone of Seattle’s specialty food industry for generations to come.”
Founded in 1900 by Angelo Merlino to serve Seattle’s growing Italian community, Merlino Foods has grown into one of the region’s most respected specialty food distributors. Under the Biesold Family’s five-decade leadership, the company became a trusted partner to restaurants and chefs across the Pacific Northwest, known for its unparalleled service, curated imports, and enduring family-driven values.
The Erickson Family’s roots in the Pacific Northwest food industry span more than a century. Beginning in 1923, Justin Erickson’s great-grandfather established Harbor Foods, which has evolved into one of the region’s largest independent distributors. The family’s acquisition of Merlino Foods ensures that the brand’s independence, heritage, and people-first culture remain intact while benefiting from generations of operational expertise in the foodservice industry.
