History

Nappies Food Service was founded in 1950 by Otello Napoleone, a surviving World War II veteran, who began selling poultry out of a small storefront on 4th Avenue in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania to local restaurants. The family-owned business was supported by his wife Josephine and sons Angelo and Ed when extra help was needed. Over the years Otello continued to grow the small business in Coraopolis to $450,000 in annual revenues prior to his retirement in 1976 when he passed the business and its principles to his son Angelo.

Angelo operated the business for eight years before his brother Ed joined him in 1984; and over the next forty years, the history of the business was written. Angelo and Ed have continued to uphold the company’s commitment to superior customer service and to maintaining the personal, family-oriented environment that has long defined Nappies Food Service. In 2023, Nick joined his father Angelo and uncle Ed, marking the beginning of the third generation of the Nappies’ family leadership. Under this next generation, the company remains deeply rooted in its founding values while embracing opportunities for growth and innovation, always keeping customers at the center of its mission.

The onset of the company’s dramatic growth began with the move from the small 2,000-square-foot storefront in Coraopolis in 1995 to the current 150,000-square-foot warehouse facility in North Fayette. This facility has allowed Nappies Food Service to warehouse thousands of different SKUs, driving significant growth and expansion. Nappies now proudly operates over 40 trucks and employs more than 150 individuals. With plans to expand the facility to 350,000 square feet—and with a third generation now actively involved in the company’s leadership—Nappies is well-positioned for continued growth while preserving the values and customer focus that have defined its success for over 75 years.

Nappie’s future has yet to be written, but its goals remain steadfast. The family-owned business remains deeply committed to delivering exceptional service, with a knowledgeable and friendly team always ready to provide timely and efficient support. At the same time, Nappies’ continues to focus on thoughtful expansion, increasing its purchasing power to secure stronger supplier discounts and greater savings for its customers.

What once was a 2 person 1 truck storefront, today operates over 40 trucks making deliveries across 4 states (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia).

Nappies Food Service success is predicated on Otello’s original mission: maintain superior customer service and a small friendly family-owned business philosophy.