# 10 Commercial Kitchen Equipment Suppliers in the USA (2026): Delivery, Financing and Services Compared
Buying commercial kitchen equipment is more complicated than comparing the price shown beside a range, refrigerator or dishwasher. Freight access, installation, utilities, warranty coverage, local service and financing can determine whether an apparently good deal works for the restaurant.
This guide compares 10 commercial kitchen equipment suppliers serving US food-service businesses. It focuses on the type of buyer each supplier may suit, available services and the questions operators should answer before ordering.
Before selecting a dealer, use ChefPin’s global guide to commercial kitchen equipment brands worldwide to identify the right manufacturer category, then verify that the US supplier is authorized to sell and service the chosen model.
Quick answer: Online retailers such as WebstaurantStore, KaTom, RestaurantSupply.com and Central provide broad catalogues. Wasserstrom and Burkett are strong candidates for design, rollout and multi-location projects. ACityDiscount and NRES offer new and used equipment options. Rapids combines equipment with design, installation and repair, while Restaurant Depot offers a cash-and-carry route for eligible independent operators.
Information checked: 1 August 2026. Products, delivery areas, financing, promotions and policies can change. Obtain a written project-specific quotation before purchasing.
Commercial kitchen equipment suppliers at a glance
| Supplier | Best starting fit | Shopping or project model | Notable services |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACityDiscount | Operators comparing new, used and complete buildout options | Online store and Atlanta-area showroom | CAD design, consultation, financing and nationwide shipping |
| Burkett | New openings, chains and multi-unit rollouts | Equipment sales plus managed projects | Design, project management, installation and order consolidation |
| Central Restaurant Products | Independent operators wanting broad online choice and adviser support | Online and consultant-assisted purchasing | Financing, Net 30 options and heavy-equipment installation support |
| KaTom Restaurant Supply | Independent restaurants and buyers sourcing equipment and smallwares together | Nationwide online and sales-assisted distributor | Financing, design and build, quotes and product advisers |
| National Restaurant Equipment & Supply | Buyers seeking new and used equipment with multilingual assistance | Online store and large Maryland showroom | Design, consulting, finance partners and local white-glove service |
| Rapids Wholesale | Operators wanting a coordinated equipment package | Online sales and account-managed projects | Design, procurement, installation, repair and training |
| Restaurant Depot | Eligible independent food businesses buying equipment with food and supplies | Membership-based cash-and-carry warehouses | No minimum purchase and location-specific pickup or delivery options |
| RestaurantSupply.com | Online buyers wanting broad selection and nationwide shipping | Ecommerce and project quotations | Net-30 terms, price matching and selected-item return window |
| Wasserstrom | Restaurant groups, hotels and complex design-build work | Customized distribution and project services | Design, procurement, logistics and custom fabrication |
| WebstaurantStore | Self-directed online buyers comparing a very large catalogue | Ecommerce and large-order quotations | Equipment financing, extensive categories and shipping options |
Suppliers are listed alphabetically. Order does not represent a ranking, and editorial inclusion cannot be purchased.
How ChefPin compared the suppliers
ChefPin reviewed current official supplier pages for:
- Commercial cooking, refrigeration, warewashing and preparation equipment
- Smallwares, furniture and front-of-house supplies
- Nationwide, regional and warehouse-based availability
- Freight, curbside, inside-delivery and installation options
- Kitchen planning, CAD and design-build services
- New, used, refurbished and scratch-and-dent inventory
- Quotes, financing, leasing and business payment terms
- Warranty assistance, returns, parts and repair support
- Independent restaurant and multi-location project capability
This is an independent editorial directory based on public information, not a hands-on equipment test. Availability and service quality must be confirmed for the buyer’s ZIP code and project.
1. ACityDiscount
Best starting fit: Restaurants comparing new and used equipment or planning a buildout with access to design and financing.
ACityDiscount sells commercial cooking, refrigeration, ice, bar and furniture products, plus smallwares and other food-service supplies. It operates an Atlanta-area showroom and advertises nationwide shipping.
The supplier also offers restaurant CAD design and consultation. Its financing page presents short-term, long-term and rent-try-buy routes, subject to the applicable provider’s approval and conditions.
Worth considering for:
- New and used equipment comparisons
- Atlanta-area buyers wanting showroom access
- Restaurants needing CAD layouts or consultation
- Operators evaluating several financing structures
Confirm before ordering:
- Whether an item is new, used, refurbished or scratch-and-dent
- What warranty applies to the specific condition
- Freight, liftgate and inside-delivery charges
- Whether local installation is available
- Design scope, revision limits and deliverables
Possible limitation: Nationwide shipping does not mean nationwide installation or service. Used-equipment warranty and return terms require especially careful review.
2. Burkett Restaurant Equipment & Supplies
Best starting fit: New restaurant projects, multi-unit groups and chains needing coordinated design, purchasing and deployment.
Burkett’s Project Center describes services covering value engineering, planning and design, project management, delivery and installation, order consolidation and resupply. Its national-accounts program is structured for standardized equipment packages and repeat rollouts.
Burkett sells new equipment and maintains experience with used and refurbished inventory. Its project approach can be more useful than a simple shopping cart when construction schedules, equipment specifications and contractor coordination are involved.
Worth considering for:
- Full restaurant openings and renovations
- Multi-location equipment standards
- Chain rollouts and consolidated shipments
- Projects requiring drawings and installation coordination
Confirm before ordering:
- Which services are performed directly or through local partners
- Project-management and design fees
- Storage and consolidation charges
- Installation responsibility for utilities and permits
- Manufacturer warranty coordination after opening
Possible limitation: A managed project service may not be the lowest-cost route for a straightforward replacement appliance.
3. Central Restaurant Products
Best starting fit: Independent restaurants and institutions wanting a broad catalogue with access to equipment advisers and flexible payment options.
Central Restaurant Products sells cooking equipment, refrigeration, ice machines, worktables, furniture, smallwares and supplies. Its current company information states that it carries more than 500 brands and keeps more than 10,000 items in stock.
Central lists payment options including Net 30 terms, 12-month financing and lease-to-own opportunities, subject to qualification. Product consultants can help compare specifications, and the company says support for heavy-equipment installation is available.
Worth considering for:
- Broad online equipment and supply orders
- Buyers wanting adviser-assisted product selection
- Operators evaluating financing or payment terms
- Scratch-and-dent opportunities
Confirm before ordering:
- Whether the item is stocked or factory shipped
- Freight and delivery-service level
- Installation coverage in the project ZIP code
- Financing provider, total repayment and ownership terms
- Restocking and return charges for large equipment
Possible limitation: Installation and delivery capabilities can vary by equipment and location, so they should appear explicitly on the quote.
4. KaTom Restaurant Supply
Best starting fit: Operators sourcing equipment, smallwares and supplies through one national distributor.
KaTom Restaurant Supply carries cooking, refrigeration, warewashing, preparation, beverage, plumbing, storage and front-of-house products. The supplier advertises nationwide delivery and access to Certified Foodservice Professional advisers.
KaTom also presents financing and design-build services. That makes it relevant for both individual equipment purchases and larger projects where the restaurant needs help with specifications and layout.
Worth considering for:
- Broad equipment and supply selection
- Buyers wanting telephone adviser support
- Restaurant openings and design-build enquiries
- Operators interested in USA-made or ENERGY STAR product filters
Confirm before ordering:
- Estimated ship date and whether the product is made to order
- Freight accessorial charges
- Design and installation coverage
- Warranty-service provider near the restaurant
- Financing rate, term and early-payoff conditions
Possible limitation: A national online catalogue still requires the buyer to verify local installation and authorized warranty service.
5. National Restaurant Equipment & Supply
Best starting fit: Operators seeking new and used equipment, design help and multilingual support.
National Restaurant Equipment & Supply—also known as NRES—operates a large showroom and warehouse in Laurel, Maryland and sells equipment across cooking, refrigeration, ice, food preparation, beverage and storage categories.
NRES describes nationwide sales, in-house design and consulting, and relationships with finance and leasing providers. It advertises multilingual assistance. White-glove delivery, placement and old-equipment removal are described for its Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Baltimore service area.
Worth considering for:
- New and used equipment comparisons
- Mid-Atlantic restaurants needing local service
- Buyers wanting design and permit assistance
- Operators who benefit from multilingual sales support
Confirm before ordering:
- Used-equipment condition, testing and warranty
- Whether delivery is nationwide freight or local white-glove service
- Installation and removal limits
- Design deliverables and permit responsibility
- Finance provider and complete repayment cost
Possible limitation: The most comprehensive delivery and installation services are regional even though equipment sales extend more broadly.
6. Rapids Wholesale Equipment
Best starting fit: Restaurants, cafés and bars wanting a coordinated equipment package and post-sale technical support.
Rapids Wholesale offers concept-based equipment packages and account-manager support. Its published services include design, procurement, delivery coordination, installation, repair and training.
The supplier is particularly relevant when a buyer wants one team to coordinate equipment rather than source every appliance independently. It also advertises same-day shipment for qualifying in-stock orders placed before its cutoff.
Worth considering for:
- Restaurant, bar and café equipment packages
- Design-to-install projects
- Beverage and draft-system requirements
- Operators valuing repair and training support
Confirm before ordering:
- Local installation and repair coverage
- Package substitutions and model-level specifications
- Freight, staging and delivery coordination costs
- Warranty and emergency-service response
- Which equipment is stocked versus factory ordered
Possible limitation: Turnkey service availability can depend on geography and trade-partner coverage.
7. Restaurant Depot
Best starting fit: Eligible independent restaurants that prefer warehouse shopping and want food, supplies and selected equipment in one trip.
Restaurant Depot operates membership-based cash-and-carry warehouses for independent food businesses. It offers food, equipment and supplies, advertises free membership for qualifying businesses and states that there is no minimum purchase.
Availability varies by warehouse. The model can work well for products an operator wants to inspect and take away, but it differs from a project dealer that designs a kitchen and coordinates installation.
Worth considering for:
- Independent food businesses near a warehouse
- Cash-and-carry smallwares and replacement purchases
- Buyers combining food and equipment procurement
- Operators wanting piece, case or volume purchasing options
Confirm before buying:
- Membership eligibility and documentation
- Local inventory and delivery availability
- Manufacturer warranty process
- Return rules for commercial equipment
- Whether installation or haul-away is offered
Possible limitation: Selection and services vary by location, and the warehouse model is not a substitute for professional kitchen design or contractor coordination.
8. RestaurantSupply.com
Best starting fit: Buyers who prefer online comparison, nationwide shipment and project quotations.
RestaurantSupply.com sells cooking, refrigeration, warewashing, food preparation, furniture, storage, tabletop and janitorial products. It advertises nationwide shipping and quotations for larger projects.
Its current site lists Net-30 terms through a finance provider, a price-match policy and free shipping on qualifying orders above the stated threshold within the contiguous USA. Selected products may have a longer return window, but the exact policy must be checked on each item.
Worth considering for:
- Broad online product comparisons
- Large equipment-and-supply lists
- Businesses seeking approved payment terms
- Buyers wanting published product specifications
Confirm before ordering:
- Whether the item qualifies for free shipping
- Curbside, liftgate and residential-delivery charges
- Return eligibility and restocking cost
- Authorized warranty service near the restaurant
- Availability of installation for the destination
Possible limitation: Ecommerce convenience does not eliminate freight inspection, installation and local service responsibilities.
9. Wasserstrom
Best starting fit: Restaurant groups, hospitality businesses and complex design-build or procurement programs.
Wasserstrom offers customized equipment and smallwares distribution, procurement, logistics, kitchen design, new-build and rebrand services. It works with independent operators as well as larger food-service brands.
Its design-and-build operation covers front- and back-of-house planning and custom fabrication. This is relevant when equipment must fit a larger architectural and engineering project.
Worth considering for:
- Multi-unit procurement and rollouts
- Restaurants needing design and build coordination
- Custom stainless fabrication
- Projects requiring supply-chain planning
Confirm before engaging:
- Minimum project scale and service area
- Design, engineering and project-management fees
- Installation and subcontractor structure
- Equipment storage and rollout charges
- Post-opening warranty and resupply support
Possible limitation: A customized project model may be excessive for a single off-the-shelf appliance purchase.
10. WebstaurantStore
Best starting fit: Self-directed online buyers wanting extensive selection and quick specification comparison.
WebstaurantStore carries commercial cooking, refrigeration, ovens, sinks, warewashing, holding, preparation, storage and ventilation products along with a large smallwares and supply catalogue.
Large buyers can request a personalized quote. The company also offers equipment-financing access through LEAF, subject to approval and the lender’s terms.
Worth considering for:
- Broad online product research
- Smallwares and equipment ordered together
- Operators comfortable managing specifications and freight
- Buyers comparing several price levels and house brands
Confirm before ordering:
- Shipping charge and delivery service
- Whether liftgate or inside delivery is required
- Return and restocking terms
- Manufacturer warranty and local service network
- Equipment-financing repayment and ownership terms
Possible limitation: A high-selection ecommerce model places more responsibility on the buyer to verify utilities, dimensions, code requirements and installation.
Online retailer, warehouse or project dealer?
Choose the supplier model that matches the purchase.
Online retailer
Useful for researched replacements, smallwares and straightforward equipment. The operator must be confident about dimensions, utilities, freight receiving and warranty support.
Cash-and-carry warehouse
Useful when local stock, inspection and immediate collection matter. Selection can vary and large-project services may be limited.
Project equipment dealer
Useful for new builds, renovations and multi-location rollouts. Design, drawings, procurement, staging and installation cost more but can reduce coordination failures.
Commercial equipment quote checklist
Send the same requirements to at least three suppliers:
- Manufacturer, model and approved alternatives
- Gas type, voltage, phase, amperage and plug
- Equipment dimensions and required clearances
- Doorways, stairs, dock and delivery restrictions
- Freight, liftgate, inside delivery and placement
- Assembly, installation and utility connection
- Permits, inspection and code responsibility
- Manufacturer warranty and local service agent
- Removal and disposal of existing equipment
- Lead time, cancellation and delay terms
Do not accept “free shipping” as a complete delivery specification. A heavy appliance delivered to the curb is very different from equipment placed, assembled, connected and commissioned in the kitchen.
Financing and leasing questions
Financing can preserve opening cash, but compare the complete obligation:
- Cash price versus financed total
- Interest rate or factor rate
- Origination and documentation fees
- Term and payment frequency
- Deposit or first payment
- Early-payoff rules
- Personal guarantee
- Equipment ownership during and after the term
- Insurance requirements
- Default, repossession and return terms
Approval and advertised monthly payments do not establish affordability. Review the agreement with a qualified financial adviser before committing.
Delivery-day checklist
Before signing the freight receipt:
- Match cartons and model numbers with the order
- Inspect packaging and equipment for visible damage
- Photograph every side and any damaged area
- Record damage on the carrier document
- Confirm accessories, casters, shelves and manuals
- Follow the supplier’s damage-claim deadline
- Keep packaging until the equipment is accepted
Do not energize visibly damaged equipment unless the supplier or authorized technician instructs you to do so.
Questions about warranty and service
A manufacturer warranty can be less useful if the nearest authorized technician is far away. Ask:
- Who opens the warranty claim?
- Is labor included as well as parts?
- Are travel charges covered?
- Who services the restaurant’s ZIP code?
- What happens if the unit arrives dead on arrival?
- Is temporary or loan equipment available?
- Does unauthorized installation void coverage?
Frequently asked questions
Which commercial kitchen equipment supplier is best?
It depends on the purchase. Online retailers can suit researched equipment, cash-and-carry suppliers can help with immediate local needs, and project dealers are better candidates for complete kitchens and multi-unit rollouts.
Should a restaurant buy equipment online?
Online purchasing can work for products with verified specifications and local service. For ventilation, refrigeration systems, gas appliances and full kitchens, professional design and installation coordination may be worth the additional cost.
Is used restaurant equipment a good investment?
Used stainless tables and simple mechanical equipment can offer value. Refrigeration, ice machines and electronic cooking equipment require closer inspection because repair costs and remaining service life can be harder to predict.
What does curbside freight delivery mean?
It generally means the carrier delivers the shipment to an accessible exterior point. It may not include liftgate service, unpacking, inside placement, stairs, assembly or installation. Confirm the supplier’s exact service description.
Should equipment be selected before the kitchen is designed?
The menu and production requirements should guide equipment selection, while dimensions, utilities, ventilation and workflow must be coordinated with the layout. Avoid finalizing either in isolation.
Can restaurant equipment connect with the POS or inventory system?
Some connected ovens, scales and other appliances can exchange operational data, but integration varies. Compare ChefPin’s top restaurant POS systems in the USA and restaurant inventory management software when planning the wider technology stack.
Final recommendation
Use online suppliers for products the team understands and can receive safely. Use a qualified project dealer when equipment selection affects construction, ventilation, utilities, permits or several restaurant locations.
Before ordering, create one specification sheet, collect three comparable quotations and verify installation and warranty coverage in writing. Equipment is only productive when the kitchen team is prepared to operate it; ChefPin’s restaurant chef job description template can help assign opening, maintenance and food-safety responsibilities, and employers can create a ChefPin account when hiring the team.
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Editorial and commercial policy: This directory uses publicly available supplier information checked on 1 August 2026. Inclusion is not an endorsement. Suppliers are listed alphabetically, and editorial inclusion or order cannot be purchased. Any paid featured profile or sponsored placement must be clearly labelled and kept separate from this comparison.
