Commercial Equipment Wholesalers

The 3,180 commercial equipment wholesalers in the US sell and distribute equipment and supplies used in restaurants, hotels, and retail stores, except for computers and office equipment and refrigeration units. In addition to selling equipment and supplies, firms may also provide installation and maintenance services.

Dependence on Health of Foodservice Sector

About two-thirds of the commercial equipment wholesaler industry’s revenue comes from food service equipment and supplies, so they are highly dependent on the health of the food service industry, particularly restaurants.

Smaller Equipment Footprints

Food service equipment manufacturers are developing new smaller models that combine multiple functions and take up less space.

Sep 14, 2026 - Retail Sales Weaken

• US retail sales, a driver of demand for commercial equipment such as point-of-sale systems, display fixtures, shelving, and safety equipment, decreased 0.6% in July 2026, marking the biggest decrease since May 2025, according to the US Commerce Department. The decrease raised concern among some economists about the resiliency of consumers who have powered the economy forward despite persistent inflation and soaring gasoline prices, according to PBS News.
• The potential decline in the number of full-service restaurants, with 9% at risk of closure this year, portends a challenging environment for commercial equipment wholesalers serving restaurants, FE&S reports. As closures outpace new openings, demand for new kitchen equipment, dining furnishings, and large capital purchases may weaken, particularly among casual dining operators. This contraction could reduce large, one-time equipment orders tied to new restaurant builds or major remodels. However, the fact that 93% of FSR operators still view on-premises dining as their strongest segment suggests existing restaurants will continue investing in maintaining and optimizing their operations, supporting replacement and maintenance-driven equipment sales. Additionally, ongoing pressure in the FSR segment may push operators to focus on efficiency, cost control, and durability, increasing demand for equipment that improves productivity or reduces labor costs.
• Despite declines in customer traffic (more than half of restaurant operators report year-on-year drops), many restaurant owners remain committed to investing in equipment, the Foodservices Equipment Distributors Association reported in November. According to FEDA, more than half (52%) of operators made a capital expenditure (equipment, expansion, or remodeling) in the past three months, and 51% plan such spending in the next six months, representing the sixth consecutive month where a majority of operators planned for capital spending. Such resilience suggests that even with traffic challenges, operators are prioritizing long-term operational efficiency and capacity upgrades. For suppliers of commercial restaurant equipment, this steady demand for capital goods could sustain sales in a choppy operating environment for the restaurant industry. It signals that restaurants are not just cutting costs, but investing strategically, potentially favoring suppliers who offer value-oriented, efficient, and state-of-the-art equipment.
• Commercial equipment wholesalers increased prices 2.13% year over year in August, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Commercial equipment wholesale industry employment and average wages for nonsupervisory employees increased slightly during the first seven months of 2026, according to the BLS. Commercial equipment wholesale industry sales are forecast to grow at a 3.35% compounded annual rate from 2026 to 2030, slower than the growth of the overall economy, according to Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc.

Industry size & Structure

The average commercial equipment wholesaler has 15 employees and generates $10.5 million in annual revenue.

• The commercial equipment wholesalers industry in the US consists of 3,180 firms with 47,854 employees and $33 billion in annual revenue.
• About 87% of firms operate a single location.
• The industry is somewhat concentrated, as the largest 50 firms represent about 57% of industry revenue.
• Large food service equipment wholesalers include TriMark USA, Edward Don & Co., Wasserstrom Co., Clark Associates, and Singer Equipment.