Butch Yamali, founder of the Dover Group, began his career in the restaurant industry at the age of 14 working at the Dover Delicatessen at 683 Lexington Avenue in New York City, owned and operated by his father, Abraham Yamali. Abraham was an immigrant from Greece, who believed in good old fashioned hard work. The Dover Delicatessen operated in Manhattan from 1910 through 1990, and not only served many celebrities but employed famous actor Sylvester Stallone who delivered sandwiches while attending acting school. 

In 1976 Dover caterers was born. It was an off-premise catering service that now hosts over 200 events annually. Dover Caterers has the unique ability to cater any event, no matter the size, providing everything from rentals, food, beverages, tents, and waitstaff. Dover Caterers has successfully catered events from 50 up to 20,000 people, and caters well-known events on Long Island like the Long Island Marathon and NCAA Swim Meets.

In 1990, Butch Yamali launched his franchise by purchasing a single ice cream truck and operated it under the name Carnival Ice Cream. At one point he owned and operated as many as 55 ice cream trucks in Nassau County, Long Island. The Carnival Ice Cream brand grew to become Long Island’s Largest Ice Cream distributor and the official distributor of Good Humor Ice Cream, Breyers, Ben & Jerry’s, and Sealtest products. It is estimated the Carnival Ice Cream Company has sold over a million ice cream bars. 

In 1994, Butch Yamali continued to grow his enterprise and sought a new business opportunity in vending and snack services, which led to the creation of Quick Snack Vending. With over 1200 machines in Long Island, serving institutions from concession stands to college campus food courts, to hospitals and recreational facilities, this franchise quickly became one of the largest quick service providers on Long Island.

When it came to resurrecting famous brands, Butch Yamali and the Dover Group didn’t stop there, that same year, Butch and his team brought back the Famous Fried Chicken, Raay-Nor’s. Raay-Nor’s, was a Baldwin staple for Southern comfort food for 70-plus years before the restaurant closed in 2005. Butch and his team have revived this famous brand, so don’t miss the pop up kitchen at Malibu Shore Club at the end of the summer to get a taste of the famous chicken.

Butch Yamali first stepped into the Coral House in Baldwin in 1970, when he was just eight years old. Almost 40 years later, in 2011 he purchased the very same historic property. Butch planned to renovate and upgrade the facility in a way to maintain the integrity and historic structure while incorporating newer technologies such as internet and electronic credit card readers. The Coral House was initially built in the 1600s serving as a gristmill, it wasn’t until the 1900s when the building became a banquet hall. Today, the Coral House hosts over 1200 parties annually, ranging from weddings to birthday celebrations to anniversaries to awards dinners and more. And, this historic location is known to host many celebrities and has even hosted the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush.

During the very same year, Butch Yamali acquired Hudsons on the Mile. Located on the scenic nautical mile in Freeport, Hudsons can accommodate guests on its  beautiful outdoor bar & patio and brand new rooftop deck with views from above the mile! Hudsons on the Mile features an exciting menu of the freshest seafood, sushi and steak, and weekly specials for all to enjoy. 

Also in 2011, The Dover Group formed Dream Events, a full service event planning and production company, based in Long Island, New York. Specializing in cutting edge decor, custom props, eye-catching floral arrangements and centerpieces, lighting, linen, staging, entertainment, branding and interactive activities. Dream Events has been recognized and received awards by companies such as bride and groom magazine. 

Specializing in new home construction and renovations, the Dover Group expanded once again into the the maintenance and construction space building immaculate homes for the Long Island community.

Originally built in 1676 as a two-room home for Mary Washburn Willets, a Quaker pioneer, the Milleridge Inn reigns as one the oldest continually operating food establishments in the United States. In 2016, 78-year-old Owen Smith retired from running the inn which his family, the Murphys, owned and ran for more than 50 years. In desperate need of new owners, Butch Yamali and the Dover Group set out on a quest to take over the historic Milleridge Inn. They planned to leave the historic ambiance, shops and menu the same, but the facility was in need of great renovations to its mechanical systems, bathrooms and roof. Today, the Milleridge Inn still holds the same historic charm, has a newly renovated Cottage, and is home to several quaint shops.

2022 the Dover Group and Butch Yamali took on another renovation at Nickerson Beach. This multi million dollar renovation included a 9 hole golf course, cabanas, pools, and other recreational activities.