With a detail-oriented design department, a highly-skilled install team, and a knowledgeable smallwares salesforce, Sam Tell is your one-stop solution for all things foodservice.
Our story begins in 1956 when Sam Tell and his son, Neil, founded the Sam Tell Companies.
They started as a two-person operation with one location on Bleecker Street and a goal of providing customers with quality foodservice solutions. The market was competitive, and getting started was a challenge. However, the father-and-son team worked hard and believed that if they stuck to their values of dependability, integrity, and honesty, their company would be a success.
"They worked hard. And their business grew."
And they were right! By the 1970s the two-man operation was growing. They were adding team members and buying more trucks. By the 1980s, Sam Tell’s grandson, Marc, joined the team, as well as Dan Saltzman.
Today, Marc Tell and Dan Saltzman run the company and lead a team 180 members strong with a 75,000 square foot warehouse in Farmingdale and a design showroom in Manhattan, where we’re among the largest restaurant and foodservice equipment and supplies dealerships in the nation.
Along the way, we’ve completed projects across the street, across the United States, and even across the ocean! From small, family-owned restaurants to tenants of the tallest buildings in New York City, The Sam Tell Companies continue to provide each of our clients with the same unparalleled service that has distinguished us for more than 60 years.
With 100 years of combined experience, our customer service team is dedicated to ensuring that you are completely satisfied with your experience from the first phone call to the completion of your project and beyond.
No two foodservice operations are alike. So we don’t treat any two clients alike. At Sam Tell, our clients receive tailored attention, specific to their unique needs. Whether you’re using our design, building, or supply services, the Sam Tell team will be with you every step of the way to create a solution that is customized just for you.
Sam Tell is committed to maintaining a customer-facing, team-based, market-focused culture in everything that we do. And we take this culture very seriously. That’s why we only hire the most passionate industry professionals who are committed not only to the success of our company but also to the success of our clients.
Beginning his full-time work at the firm bearing his grandfather's name in 1986, Marc Tell has risen through the ranks and is pleased to serve on the Executive Committee of the Sam Tell Companies. During his tenure, he has helped lead the company as it has grown from seven employees and two trucks to its current status as the 30th largest foodservice equipment and supplies distributor in the country. Marc’s work with the Sam Tell Companies includes sales management, executive supervision, and activities related to Mergers and Acquisition. Marc has been honored over the years as UJA Man of the Year, has served on the Board of Directors of Allied Buying Corporation, and currently serves on several industry related Advisory Boards. What Marc counts as his most important achievement, though, is his marriage to Julie, and raising his three children – Linda, Sam, and Hannah.
Michael Bitonti is a Certified Public Accountant and received his B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting from Hofstra University.
He spent the first seven years of his 26-year career working for KPMG out of their Melville office. Reaching the level of Audit Manager, he was part of their Manufacturing, Retail and Distribution business unit.
In the 19 years that followed, prior to joining the Sam Tell Companies, Michael held three positions, serving as the VP of Finance for Terk Technologies and CFO for both Tri-Ed Distribution and Signature Systems Group, respectively. All three were product-oriented companies (consumer electronics, security/surveillance systems and specialty flooring/matting) with a component of private equity in their respective capital structures. In each of these opportunities Michael was part of a management group that fostered significant top line and bottom line growth while managing operating expenses, leading to debt reduction and the creation of shareholder value.
After the successful sale of Signature Systems Group and a nine-month transition to the new ownership, Michael elected to leave his Manhattan based position of seven years and joined Sam Tell in February of 2014. Since then, he has been a positive influence in many areas including Finance, Accounting and Human Resources and, together with the existing management team, is looking forward to managing the growth curve and value creation of the Sam Tell Companies for years to come.
Michael resides in Commack, Long Island with his wife Kathy of 23 years and their three children Nicholas, Jessica and Katie.
After graduating from York College of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, Heather moved to NYC in search of a career in Sales. In 2005 she joined Sysco Foodservices of Metro NY where she embarked on an 11-year career that included several sales and management positions. Her most senior roll at Sysco was running the NJ business as Regional Sales Manager.
After Sysco, Heather worked for The Chefs Warehouse as Regional Sales Manager for NYC. In Spring 2017, Heather excitedly embarked on the opportunity to run sales for the Sam Tell Companies and further develop the current sales and next generation of Supplies & Equipment sales reps. In 2024, Heather was promoted to her current role of Chief Commercial Officer, where she is responsible for overall company growth and profitability.
Heather has a passion for leadership and development and truly loves being involved in the Restaurant Industry in NYC. She believes that success in business is all about relationships and that there is nothing more important than the relationship between the salesperson and customer.
Heather earned her Master of Business Administration in 2023 at NYU Stern School of Business. She has been active in the Women’s Foodservice Forum and the Food & Finance High School in New York City. She currently lives in Manhattan and enjoys all the city has to offer.
Arthur joined The Sam Tell companies in 2005 as Vice President of Contract Sales, after more than 30 years in the foodservice supplies, equipment and design industry. As VP of Contract Sales, he is responsible for establishing, reviewing and negotiating pricing for all contract proposals and supervising the contract sales.
Arthur’s knowledge and understanding of foodservice equipment and supplies enables him to remain at the forefront of all industry trends. He has served two terms on the board of FEDA and is currently a member of FEDA, SFM, HFM and NAFEM, where he holds the CFSP designation.
In 2006, Arthur was recognized as the MAFS Dealer Salesperson of the year. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University.
Jerry joined the Sam Tell Companies in 2003, when his previous employer, Pascoe- Jacobs Associates was purchased. He had spent the previous four years as their Director of Project Management, overseeing the day-to-day activities of the firm.
Jerry brings a strong operational background to Sam Tell having spent over 11 years working for several high profile restaurant companies in NYC, including the notable Eerie Entertainment, which owns The Jekyll & Hyde operations. As Director of Engineering, he is currently responsible for overseeing the NYC design office and the coordination of all the Project Management activities. His target market is high volume, independent restaurants and has designed many notable facilities; his most recent to date being Junior’s full service restaurant at the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods Casino. Jerry sees many of his customers looking for designs that facilitate a sustainable culinary experience. “The average American consumer is getting more interested in not only what they eat but how it was prepared…. this creates an environment where restaurants are continually looking for ways to 'push the envelope' from a culinary perspective," he says.
Jerry is actively involved in numerous industry organizations and is currently the President of the International Federation of Equipment Distributors Engineering Group.
Jeremy Barnett joined the Sam Tell team in March of 2018 with the objective of creating and maximizing opportunities for the project sales team, both on the contract sales and design-build sides of the business. He also supports and manages the project operations team, which includes designers, drafters, estimators, project managers, administrators, installers, and warehouse/delivery personnel.
With the main goal of doing great things with great people, Jeremy and his team are passionate and proud of their work and they strive to deliver the best possible results to customers/end users. Jeremy believes that nothing is better than doing what you love with such an incredible team, who are all working together to achieve a common goal.
Jeremy has been in this business for about 15 years and in that time has been fortunate to experience a wide range of positions that have prepared him for this current role. Installing, managing projects, and purchasing equipment have equipped him with the tools he needs to learn and understand this business from every angle.
Happily spending time with his wife Christina and their two children, Evan and Emma, Jeremy enjoys going to the beach and hiking—anything that keeps him active, outdoors, and engaging in a healthy lifestyle.
300 Smith Street
Farmingdale, NY 11735
631-501-9700
info@samtell.com
Providing kitchen and restaurant supplies to New York, Long Island, and the entire USA
