Cher-Make Sausage Company boasts a rich and storied history spanning several decades. Established in 1928, our family-owned business has evolved into a renowned purveyor of high-quality sausage products, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation. Over the years, we have stayed true to our commitment to exceptional taste, premium ingredients, and customer satisfaction. We know our success is deeply rooted in time-honored recipes, passed down through generations, and a passion for delivering delicious, authentic sausages to homes and businesses alike. Today, with over 95 years of experience, Cher-Make continues to be a trusted name in the sausage industry, embodying the essence of quality and taste.
Emil and Regina Chermak opened a small butcher shop on the north side of Manitowoc. This supplied area food retailers and meat shops.
“I used to walk and hand deliver to nearby homes with my wagon.” -Art Chermak, Emil’s son and second-generation owner
Cher-Make Sausage has enough demand to build a plant in the 1930’s, evolving into a true manufacturer/producer.
In the mid-forties, Art Chermak returned home from serving in WWII. He decided he would do what he loved: to continue in the family tradition of making high quality, authentic Wisconsin sausages. The company relocated to a new, larger location in Manitowoc in 1944 – which is where the company has its manufacturing facility today.
Art Chermak enters into a partnership with family member, Merlyn Hoefner. Through Merlyn’s guidance the brand grew even more rapidly and in the mid-sixties the company expanded into private labeling summer sausage for holiday gift packers in Wisconsin.
The plant becomes USDA certified, allowing Cher-Make to distribute sausage nationwide and begin their private label specialties. This was a pioneering USDA certification and had never been done before with sausage.
Tom, 3rd Generation Chermak, takes over the family business. Despite 3 generations, the old-world processes and recipies remain the same.
Cher-Make Sausage celebrates 90 years in business in May of 2019. Throughout the past nine decades, Cher-Make weathered changes, embraced innovation and evolved into an industry leader, all with an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Lakeside Foods, Inc., a leading frozen and canned foods manufacturer, purchases Cher-Make. Lakeside Foods is an existing Manitowoc-based family company that is honored to carry on the Cher-Make legacy.