Mirk Group Spotlight: An Interview with Nick Mirkovich

Q: Nick, welcome! Could you start by telling us a bit about how you found your way into foodservice and forming the Mirk Group?

Nick: To say I was born into foodservice would be an understatement, but I didn’t know it would become my career path. After graduating from the University of Illinois, I entered a challenging job market and turned to my father’s connections to get my start. My first significant role was with Rubbermaid Commercial Products, where I spent 15 years working my way up from various sales roles to becoming the North American Director of Foodservice Sales. This experience taught me a lot about selling value, quality, and the importance of building strong relationships in the industry.

After my time at Rubbermaid, I held a few food service industry roles before moving on to Cambro as Director of Sales for the Midwest. However, when the pandemic hit, it made me reassess my priorities. I realized I was spending too much time on the road, and missing out on my family, my wife and two daughters. That’s when I approached Cambro about starting my own rep group in the Chicagoland area, and they were supportive. Essentially, that’s how the Mirk Group was formed. It’s been an incredible journey since then, growing the business from scratch and building a team that shares my vision and values.

Q: It sounds like family has been a big part of your journey. Could you tell us more about that?

Nick: Absolutely, family has always been at the core of my journey. My father started his own manufacturer’s rep group back in 1987, which still carries our family name today. Although I didn’t start my career working directly with him, I was always inspired by the path he took. He sold the business, and it has since changed hands a couple of times, but it’s still associated with our family legacy. That speaks to the impact and reputation he built in the industry, something I always admired.

For me, taking a different route and gaining experience in the corporate world was crucial. I carved out my own path, learning from the ground up, which gave me a unique perspective on industry. However, even though our journeys diverged, the values of hard work, dedication, and a passion for food service that I inherited from my father have always guided me. Today, as I lead the Mirk Group, I try to bring that same sense of family and legacy to my team, making sure we build something lasting and meaningful.

Q: What’s it been like since founding the Mirk Group?

Nick: Starting and growing the Mirk Group right after the pandemic was both challenging and rewarding. When I first left Cambro, the first person I reached out to was Cheryl Hodges, who became our very first employee. Cheryl brought a wealth of experience in both foodservice operations and healthcare, which was invaluable as we started to build our business. Hiring her set the tone for the kind of team I wanted to create—one that was experienced, passionate, and ready to tackle any challenge.

Over the next few years, we continued to grow, adding more talented individuals What’s been most rewarding is seeing how our vision of building a dynamic and diverse team has come to life. We’ve managed to create a culture that’s not only focused on sales and growth but also on making a genuine impact in the industry by bringing fresh perspectives and a commitment to quality service. We have some big personalities, and some are more reserved but we’re all independent in our thinking. Despite being unique individuals we are brothers and sisters.

Q: You mentioned building a diverse team. How has that influenced Mirk Group’s success?

Nick: Building a diverse team wasn’t something I set out to do intentionally, but it has become one of the biggest contributors to our success. We have employees ranging in age from just starting out to years of wisdom, with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This means we bring a wide range of ideas and approaches to every project, which allows us to connect more effectively with our clients. Our clients aren’t a homogenous group, so having a team that reflects the market helps us understand and meet their needs more effectively.

More importantly, our core values have created a unique culture that encourages innovation and collaboration. We’ve built an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute, regardless of their age, gender, or background. This culture has not only made us stronger internally but has also made us more adaptable and competitive in the market. When you walk into a kitchen, whether it’s a restaurant, a healthcare facility, or a school, the people you meet aren’t all the same, and neither is our team. That makes a difference in how we do business and has undoubtedly been a key driver of our growth.

Q: Can you tell us about your test kitchen and how that sets you apart?

Nick: Our test kitchen is one of the most exciting aspects of the Mirk Group, and it really sets us apart from other rep groups. Inspired by my father, who was one of the first in the country to have a test kitchen, I knew it was something we needed to incorporate. Unlike most typical rep groups who are generally set up in an office park, we took over a restaurant, which gives us a truly authentic environment. The front of house serves as a conference space with a full bar and large farm table, while the back of the house is a fully equipped kitchen with a 17-foot hood, walk in and everything we need to showcase equipment and prepare meals.

This space allows us to do more than just talk about products; we can demonstrate them in action. It gives us the opportunity to work closely with our clients, letting them see, touch, and experience the equipment as it would function in a real kitchen environment. It’s also a place where our team can connect, experiment, and learn together, which adds tremendous value. The test kitchen reflects our commitment to being hands-on, innovative, and truly engaged with the industry, helping us stand out in a competitive market.

Q: Speaking of competitiveness, Chicago is a highly competitive and unique market. Can you tell us about it and some of the challenges you face here? 

Nick: I call it the center of the foodservice universe and there’s very few markets like it. It’s the third largest metropolitan area in the country, and we have everything from independent restaurants to major chains, healthcare facilities, colleges, and K-12 schools. The variety is fantastic, but it also means we must be incredibly adaptable and knowledgeable about a wide range of segments. It’s a place where no two days are the same, and that keeps us on our toes.

One of the biggest challenges we face is the traffic and logistics of getting around the city, but that’s just part of working in such a large area. Another challenge is the sheer competition. Chicago is a food city, and it attracts some of the best talent in industry. However, this competition pushes us to be better and to constantly find new ways to differentiate ourselves. It’s a market where relationships and local knowledge are key, and that’s something we’ve really focused on building at Mirk Group.

Q: What excites you about the partnership with Arctic and your plans for the future?

Nick: I’m genuinely excited about the partnership with Arctic because they share many of the values that are important to us at Mirk Group. One of the things that stood out to me was their investment in the business and their commitment to making it easier for rep groups like ours to work with them. Another aspect that excites me is their focus on being “frictionless” in their operations. They’re committed to reducing barriers and making it as easy as possible for us to do business with them, which aligns perfectly with how we want to operate. It feels like we’re partnering with a company that understands the value of being agile and responsive. This collaboration has the potential to drive significant growth for both of our organizations, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes us.

Q: Finally, can you sum up what makes Mirk Group stand out in two to three sentences?

Nick: Mirk Group was founded on the principles of work-life balance and getting the job done efficiently and effectively. We operate as a family, with a culture that emphasizes evolution, not revolution, and the belief that help is always an option. Our dedication to building a talented and dynamic team is what truly sets us apart and drives our success.

Interested in a walk-in or working with Arctic? Contact us today.