Commercial Catering Equipment Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product Type (Ovens, Steamers, Kettles, Others), By End User (Food Service Sector, School & Universities, Hospitals, Others), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 12.80 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.05%
Fastest Growing Segment	Online
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 18.21 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Commercial Catering Equipment Market will grow from USD 12.80 Billion in 2025 to USD 18.21 Billion by 2031 at a 6.05% CAGR. Commercial catering equipment comprises professional grade appliances designed for food preparation, cooking, refrigeration, and warewashing within the foodservice and hospitality sectors. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the rapid expansion of the global tourism industry and the increasing density of quick service restaurants which necessitate durable and high volume machinery. Furthermore, stringent food safety regulations compel operators to frequently replace outdated inventory with compliant and hygienic models to ensure operational standards are maintained.

According to the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry, in 2025, the equipment and supplies sector projects a sales increase of 2.7% as the industry stabilizes. Despite this positive trajectory, market expansion encounters a significant challenge regarding volatile raw material prices and international trade tariffs. These financial pressures elevate the initial capital expenditure required for essential units, thereby compelling budget conscious operators to defer necessary upgrades and potentially restraining overall market activity.

Key Market Drivers

The proliferation of Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) and fast food chains serves as a primary catalyst for the global market, creating sustained demand for durable, high-volume machinery capable of delivering consistent results under rigorous operating conditions. As these establishments prioritize speed and standardization, they require specialized appliances that can withstand continuous usage while minimizing downtime. This expansion is evident in the financial performance of key industry players who supply these essential technologies to major chains. According to The Middleby Corporation, February 2024, in the 'Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Results', the company reported annual net sales of $4.04 billion, reflecting the substantial scale of equipment procurement across the sector. This intense operational activity is further mirrored by the broader hospitality growth; according to the National Restaurant Association, February 2024, in the '2024 State of the Restaurant Industry' report, the foodservice sector was projected to generate record sales of $1.1 trillion, signalling a robust environment for capital investment in kitchen infrastructure.

Concurrently, the adoption of energy-efficient and sustainable kitchen technologies has emerged as a critical driver, influencing purchasing decisions as operators seek to reduce utility costs and comply with tightening environmental regulations. Modern catering equipment is increasingly engineered to optimize water and electricity consumption, offering long-term savings that justify higher initial acquisition costs. The market shift toward these intelligent systems is quantifiable in the sales trajectories of manufacturers focused on green innovation. According to Rational AG, March 2024, in the 'Annual Report 2023', the group generated sales revenues of 1.13 billion euros, a 10% increase attributable to the high global demand for their resource-efficient cooking systems. This trend forces competitors to accelerate the development of eco-friendly product lines to maintain relevance in a resource-conscious market.

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Key Market Challenges

The growth of the Global Commercial Catering Equipment Market is continually hampered by volatile raw material prices and international trade tariffs. These financial instabilities directly increase manufacturing costs for essential components such as stainless steel and electronic circuitry. As producers transfer these elevated expenses to the final price of the machinery, the initial capital expenditure required for acquiring new units rises sharply. This price escalation creates a significant barrier to entry and modernization, particularly for small to medium-sized enterprises that operate on thin profit margins.

The impact of these rising equipment costs is magnified by the concurrent operational financial strain faced by foodservice providers. According to the National Restaurant Association, in 2024, average food costs had increased by more than 20% and wages by over 30% compared to 2019 levels. Because operators are already allocating vast resources to cover these surging daily operating expenses, their ability to absorb higher capital costs for machinery is severely diminished. Consequently, businesses are compelled to defer necessary equipment upgrades, extending the lifecycle of older units and directly stalling market volume expansion.

Key Market Trends

Integration of IoT-Enabled Smart Kitchen Ecosystems is revolutionizing commercial catering operations by shifting focus from standalone appliances to fully connected, data-driven environments. This trend is characterized by the widespread implementation of cloud-based asset management systems that allow operators to remotely monitor equipment performance, automate HACCP compliance logging, and execute predictive maintenance protocols. By centralizing control, kitchens can significantly reduce downtime and optimize utility usage, a critical capability as kitchens become more decentralized and digitized. The momentum behind this digital transformation is substantial; according to Fishbowl, January 2025, in the article '2024 Restaurant Industry Statistics: A Year in Review', 73% of restaurant operators increased their technology investments to secure a competitive operational edge.

Deployment of Robotic Automation for Repetitive Food Preparation Tasks has emerged as a critical solution to persistent labor volatility and the need for standardized product quality. Beyond simple mechanization, this trend involves the adoption of sophisticated robotic makelines and autonomous fry stations capable of executing high-volume tasks with precision, thereby decoupling production capacity from staffing levels. These systems are proving essential for high-throughput fast-casual and quick-service models where consistency and speed are paramount. The financial impact of this adoption is measurable; according to NACS, April 2025, in the article 'Sweetgreen to Expand its Tech-Centric, Automated Kitchens', the chain's Infinite Kitchen locations demonstrate an 800-basis-point margin advantage compared to traditional sites, underscoring the profitability of automated infrastructure.

Segmental Insights

The Online segment is currently the fastest-growing distribution channel within the Global Commercial Catering Equipment Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by a structural shift in B2B procurement behaviors, as foodservice operators increasingly prioritize the convenience and efficiency of digital purchasing platforms. Online channels offer buyers transparent pricing, extensive product comparisons, and immediate access to diverse global inventories that traditional dealerships may lack. Furthermore, the streamlined logistics and reduced lead times associated with digital transactions allow businesses to minimize operational downtime. Consequently, professional catering enterprises are aggressively adopting these digital solutions to optimize their supply chain management.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global commercial catering equipment market, driven by a mature foodservice industry and the high density of quick-service restaurant chains. The region experiences consistent demand for energy-efficient and automated solutions to address operational costs and labor challenges. Furthermore, strict adherence to hygiene and safety standards established by organizations such as NSF International compels businesses to regularly upgrade their infrastructure. This emphasis on regulatory compliance, combined with the steady expansion of established hospitality networks, secures the region's dominant market share.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, Hoshizaki Corporation unveiled the IM CUBE series of ice makers, which the company positioned as a next-generation solution developed after decades of research. This new range featured an enhanced motor designed to improve energy and water efficiency, addressing growing industry demands for sustainability. The equipment included a variable-speed direct current pump to optimize the ice-making process, ensuring consistent cube shape while minimizing energy expenditure. The launch underscored the company's focus on providing operators with reliable, high-quality ice production capabilities that incorporated features for better serviceability and hygiene.
• In November 2024, The Middleby Corporation completed the acquisition of Gorreri Food Processing Technology, a manufacturer based in Italy specializing in equipment for the baked goods industry. This strategic addition was intended to complement Middleby's existing food processing portfolio by integrating Gorreri's technologies for cakes, pies, and other dessert lines. The acquisition included a state-of-the-art facility and a range of solutions such as turbo mixers and ultrasonic portioning systems. The Chief Executive Officer of Middleby highlighted that this collaboration would generate meaningful growth synergies and strengthen the company's leadership in the dessert category.
• In September 2024, Electrolux Professional Group announced a strategic partnership with Nordon Inc. to enhance its distribution and service capabilities in the United States. Through this collaboration, Nordon Inc. became a representative for the company's comprehensive portfolio, including food service, beverage, and coffee equipment brands. The agreement was intended to leverage the partner's established test kitchen facilities and sales expertise to provide turnkey solutions for various market segments such as healthcare, education, and hospitality. This move reinforced the company's commitment to delivering superior customer experiences and sustainable equipment solutions in the region.
• In February 2024, Rational AG introduced a new product category known as the iHexagon, which integrated steam, hot air, and microwave technologies into a single intelligent cooking system. The company described this launch as a significant milestone, marking only the third time in its history that it established a new equipment category. The iHexagon was designed to deliver high food quality in significantly reduced timeframes by utilizing the "iClimateBoost" system to manage the cooking energy across all six racks evenly. This innovation aimed to address the needs of customers requiring both speed and consistent quality in high-volume food preparation.

Key Market Players

• Duke Manufacturing
• Electrolux AB
• Dover Corporation
• Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
• Ali Group S.r.l
• Fujimak Corporation
• Eurotec FM Ltd.
• Alto-Shaam, Inc.
• Atosa USA, Inc.
• Comstock-Castle Stove Co., Inc.

By Product Type	By End User	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Ovens Steamers Kettles Others	Food Service Sector School & Universities Hospitals Others	Online Offline	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Commercial Catering Equipment Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Commercial Catering Equipment Market, By Product Type:

• Ovens
• Steamers
• Kettles
• Others

• Commercial Catering Equipment Market, By End User:

• Food Service Sector
• School & Universities
• Hospitals
• Others

• Commercial Catering Equipment Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Online
• Offline

• Commercial Catering Equipment Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE