Our Story
We've been distributing the beverages you love for going on three generations!
Our love for the Beer Industry began before Doll Distributing was founded. Merlin Doll, our founder, started in the industry working at Storz Brewing Company in Omaha, Nebraska. One year, on Christmas Eve, Mr. Storz called Merlin into his office to inform him that the brewery was closing its doors for the final time, leaving him without a job. Realizing he had a fondness for the industry, Merlin reached out to one of the many contacts he made over the years, to see about any opportunities to become a Distributor.
Merlin and Edith Doll found that opportunity and purchased Simmons Distributing of Hastings, Nebraska. They took a leap of faith and embarked on a journey that opened doors for the future generations. Doll Distributing began with a starting inventory of 2260 Anheuser Busch cases, 33 Budweiser kegs, 355 Goetz cases and 7 tap accounts.
On December 23, 1965 Doll Distributing sold the Hastings distributorship and purchased Michaels Distributing of Council Bluffs, Iowa. In the first year, Doll sold approximately 40,000 cases of Anheuser Busch and 12,000 cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon and Grain Belt.
In 1987, the second generation of Jeff, Mark, Tami, Scott, and Jay Doll, purchased the company from their parents and looked for opportunities to expand. On April 21, 1988, that opportunity presented itself, as Doll Distributing purchased the Red Oak, Iowa territory. This expansion moved the company from its original 3 counties to a total of 11, and servicing 540 customers in Southwest Iowa.
On December 15, 2006 - Doll purchased Nesbit Distributing of Des Moines, growing the company to 21 counties and over 2000 Customers.
On November 9th, 2007 - Doll Distributing continued its evolution by acquiring the Grinnell Beverage Company.
December 10th, 2010 - Doll purchased Whittenburg Distributing of Spencer, Iowa and Kabrick Distributing of Britt, Iowa. This expansion brought Doll into the North and Northwest part of Iowa.
May 1st, 2015- Doll purchased Hagen Distributing in Worthington, Minnesota. This acquisition turned the company into a two state distributor.
Throughout the history of Doll Distributing, we have been committed to building brands and building relationships. We have invested in state-of-the-art technology to better our facilities and are continually providing our customers with the industry’s highest in-stock rate and shipping accuracy.
Doll Distributing prides ourselves on living out our mission of striving to be the best beverage distributor in the industry measured by our communication, customer service, efficient processes, and growth. We look forward to the future with enthusiasm and look back on our past with admiration.
The Doll family is proud to welcome our third generation to the business!