Supplying Kitchens Since 1951 – A Great Interview with Ed Krampert Jr. of County Restaurant Supply

In the photo: Ed Krampert Jr. with his grandson Zac Krampert in front of County Restaurant Supply

County Restaurant Supply (CRS), based in San Carlos, has been serving the Bay Area’s food industry for over 70 years. Behind its long-running  operations is a multigenerational family business built on consistency, hard work, and strong community ties. 

A Humble Start

Founded in 1951 by Ed Krampert Sr., County Restaurant Supply started as a janitorial supply business. “It was a difficult thing to open up a place and get it going during that time,” Ed Jr. recalls, noting that money was tight in the years following World War II. As demand shifted, CRS expanded into a full-service supplier for commercial kitchens, offering everything from cookware and uniforms to fryers and kitchen floorplans. Today, with over 10,000 items in stock, it continues to serve restaurants and caterers throughout the Bay Area. 

1951: Ed Krampert Sr. founds County Supply Co. in San Carlos, CA as fountain supply (Cola syrups), janitorial supply, and paper products (bakery bags, brown lunch bags)

Taking the Helm

Ed Krampert Jr. took over in 1968, when San Carlos was still a small town. “A lot of people knew each other,” he said, “but there wasn’t much going on. There were very few restaurants or grocery stores”. He even ran for City Council, prompted by a single issue at a nearby park: “It was the same equipment I played on as a kid, and now my own children were using it after over 20 years,” he said, an example of the broader slow progress he saw in San Carlos at the time.

“Since then the town has expanded, and it’s a monster town now,” Ed observed. Still, he hopes today’s City Council would do more to support local businesses. 

1963: Ed Krampert Jr. begins to take over from his father. In the photo, from left to right: Ed Jr with family friends

Steady Growth

Today, CRS is run by the third and fourth generations of the Krampert family, including Ed’s sons Mark and Scott and grandsons Nic and Zac. Despite economic challenges and growing online competition, the business has remained a reliable resource. Rather than relying on aggressive marketing, it continues to attract most of its clients through referrals and word of mouth, which is a reflection of its long-standing reputation for dependable service.

“We don’t just stock products. We make sure you get them. If something’s unavailable, we’ll go the extra mile to source it elsewhere.”, says Ed. According to him, the biggest challenge over decades has been “thin profits, which you had to make up for in volume”. Today, CRS has a loyal customer base from many restaurants in San Carlos, Redwood City, Belmont, San Mateo, to a national chain account with locations across the country.

2025: in the photo, Ed Krampert Jr. with grandsons Nic and Zac Krampert

Planning the Kitchen, Not Just Stocking It

CRS also offers commercial kitchen layout services. “I started out doing very simple drawings, back when that was all that was needed,” Ed said. Now, the company uses CAD software to create detailed plans that include layout, electrical specs, and surface finishes.

“We build the kitchens to match each client’s needs and the kind of business they’re going to run,” he explained.

2025: in the photo, Ed Krampert Jr. with San Carlos life host, Viv Kelvin, co-owner of Vabrato Real Estate.

Still Standing and Evolving

“We roll with the punches. Whatever is new, if it becomes popular, then we would probably be selling it,” Ed said.

And while the market changes, some values stay the same. “If you have one problem today and you don’t fix it, you’re going to have two problems tomorrow,” Ed added: a philosophy that has guided the family business for decades.

As for his advice to the next generation? “Work hard,” Ed says. “Invest in experiences, after you’ve got your house, a bank account, and some savings.” It’s practical advice from someone who built a lasting business through hard work and consistency.

The County Restaurant Supply Team.

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About San Carlos Life

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Mark is a Real Estate Broker and General Contractor, with degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Law. He is also a long-time resident of Redwood City and San Carlos. Viv is also a Broker, respected Interior Designer, seasoned Marketing Expert, and trusted San Carlos business community leader, as well as a long-time San Carlos resident.

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