Jersey couple runs multimillion-dollar company to spread snacks around the world

A New Jersey couple is running a multimillion-dollar company that brings people snacks from around the world.

News 12 Staff

Oct 15, 2019, 2:42 AM

Updated 1,648 days ago

Share:

A New Jersey couple is running a multimillion-dollar company that brings people snacks from around the world.
Eli Zauner and Monique Bernstein once worked for Procter and Gamble in Ohio. They met at a Mardi Gras party and connected on their interest in entrepreneurship.
"It took three months of us dating before Monique came home with a list of business ideas,” says Zauner.
It wasn't long before they came up with the idea for Universal Yums. Creating boxes of snacks from different countries and sending them to subscribers each month. Bernstein says at the start, they each invested $4,000 into the business.
The couple started by packing boxes in their apartment. The first monthly box that they sent out was snacks from Germany in 2014. Now the boxes are packed in a 21,000-square foot warehouse in Parsippany.
The two moved the business to New Jersey to be near a major seaport. Zauner says they will ship about 1 million boxes this year.
“It's about 88% in the United States and the remaining 12% is between Canada, Australia, the UK and Israel,” says Zauner.
This month’s box has snacks from Austria. November’s box will be snacks from Spain.
Zauner says during their first full year in business, they made $700,000 in revenue. This year they are projected to make $21 million.
The couple will soon move the business into a 48,000-square foot warehouse in Roseland. The couple also plans to get married in May.


More from News 12
2:23
Rutgers police: Person charged for shooting people with Orbeez gun

Rutgers police: Person charged for shooting people with Orbeez gun

3:40
Police: Marlboro Township Public Schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive 'unfounded' bomb threats

Police: Marlboro Township Public Schools, Trenton Board of Ed receive 'unfounded' bomb threats

1:59
Dreary end to the week with some rain returning by Friday afternoon

Dreary end to the week with some rain returning by Friday afternoon

0:27
Police: Husband and wife stole jewelry from Bridgewater retirement facility

Police: Husband and wife stole jewelry from Bridgewater retirement facility

0:29
GoFundMe pages created for Paterson families displaced by house fires

GoFundMe pages created for Paterson families displaced by house fires

2:43
‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

‘Now he literally has a part of me.’ Brother donates part of his liver to twin

0:16
Police: Man tried to stab UPS driver who refused to give him a ride

Police: Man tried to stab UPS driver who refused to give him a ride

0:41
Jersey Proud: Holi celebration held at Cooper University Hospital in Camden

Jersey Proud: Holi celebration held at Cooper University Hospital in Camden

0:29
Police: North Carolina man killed in crash on Garden State Parkway in Irvington

Police: North Carolina man killed in crash on Garden State Parkway in Irvington

House of Independents announces initial summer lineup following temporary closure due to flooding damage

House of Independents announces initial summer lineup following temporary closure due to flooding damage

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald says Travis Green is part of his search for a new coach

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald says Travis Green is part of his search for a new coach

Atlantic City mayor: I'm committed to my family and city while dealing with daughter abuse charges

Atlantic City mayor: I'm committed to my family and city while dealing with daughter abuse charges

1:55
Bear-resistant trash cans being provided for 6 New Jersey towns

Bear-resistant trash cans being provided for 6 New Jersey towns

7-Eleven, Wawa or QuickCheck? New poll reveals New Jersey’s favorite convenience store

7-Eleven, Wawa or QuickCheck? New poll reveals New Jersey’s favorite convenience store

0:18
Dover police warn residents of men in face coverings knocking on doors

Dover police warn residents of men in face coverings knocking on doors

0:26
‘Stand Your Ground’ bill introduced in New Jersey

‘Stand Your Ground’ bill introduced in New Jersey

0:30
Stepson of former ‘Real Housewives’ star Siggy Flicker arrested in connection on Jan. 6 charges

Stepson of former ‘Real Housewives’ star Siggy Flicker arrested in connection on Jan. 6 charges

0:23
Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

Ford recalls over 456,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick cars due to loss of drive power risk

2:47
Capturing the moment at Zimmerli Museum in New Brunswick

Capturing the moment at Zimmerli Museum in New Brunswick

0:51
Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips

Save money while helping the planet with these 12 energy-efficient tips