What KaTom Restaurant Supply does

KaTom Restaurant Supply, Inc. is a privately held wholesale distributor of commercial restaurant equipment and supplies headquartered in Kodak, Tennessee. Founded in 1987 and operating 350,000 square feet of warehouse and distribution space, the company sells across ten core product categories — restaurant equipment, commercial refrigeration, ice makers, smallwares, tabletop, cleaning and janitorial supplies, restaurant furniture, disposables and consumables, storage and transport, and business-type-specific supplies — sourced through partnerships with nearly 700 manufacturers. KaTom reaches buyers through a sales-led inside-sales call center, a self-serve e-commerce storefront (katom.com), live chat, a physical Chef Supplies showroom, and drop-ship fulfillment from manufacturers, with named enterprise customers spanning healthcare (Wellstar), hospitality (Moxy Atlanta Downtown, Big Sky Resort), restaurants (The Humble Hog, Kennedy Concepts), and government (Chattanooga Airport).

Revenue is generated primarily through wholesale product sales at no order minimums, supplemented by a co-branded KaTom Rewards Mastercard that earns interchange and drives repeat purchasing. The business model is asset-heavy on logistics but capital-light on inventory risk because of manufacturer drop-ship relationships; certifications including GSA Contractor (GS-07F-0342V), BBB accreditation, WBENC Women's Business Enterprise, and ENERGY STAR / NSF product offerings extend access to government and institutional procurement channels. KaTom is led by founder Patricia Ann Carter Bible (Founder, Owner, CEO and President), is privately held with no disclosed institutional or PE ownership, and last reported external financing was a $12.6 million debt facility in September 2019 from Community Trust Bank, USDA, and SBA.

Name

KaTom Restaurant Supply

Legal name

KaTom Restaurant Supply, Inc.

Website

https://katom.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

KaTom Restaurant Supply is a privately held wholesale distributor based in Kodak, Tennessee that sells commercial restaurant equipment and supplies across ten product categories to over 1.5 million foodservice operators nationwide through e-commerce, inside sales, and manufacturer drop-ship fulfillment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Restaurant Supply Distribution

NAICS

Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42385), Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42374), Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (4237)

SIC

Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040), Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080)

akta.pro primary industry

Restaurant & Commercial Kitchen Equipment Wholesale (AFAIALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Preparation Equipment & Smallwares Wholesale (AFAIALAK), Commercial Cooking Equipment & Parts Wholesale (AFAIALAJ), Institutional Foodservice Distribution (Education, Healthcare, Government) (CRAOABAM)

Keywords

• Commercial foodservice equipment
• Restaurant supply distribution
• Commercial kitchen supplies
• Wholesale restaurant equipment
• Foodservice equipment specialists

Headquarters

HQ city

Kodak

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: KaTom generates revenue through the sale of commercial restaurant equipment and supplies, including heavy machinery, smallwares, tabletop items, cleaning supplies, furniture, and disposables. Products are sold at wholesale prices with no order minimums.
2. KaTom Rewards Credit Card: The company offers branded Mastercard credit cards that provide cash back rewards (3% at KaTom.com, 2% on dining and office supplies, 1% on groceries and gas for business card). This creates additional revenue through interchange fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KaTom Restaurant Supply is a national wholesale distributor that sells commercial kitchen equipment and foodservice supplies through its e-commerce site, phone sales team, and a physical showroom. The catalog spans ten product categories — cooking equipment, commercial refrigeration, ice makers, smallwares, tabletop, janitorial, furniture, disposables, storage/transport, and business-type supplies — sourced from approximately 700 manufacturers and shipped from a 350,000+ sq. ft. warehouse. The company also provides expert consultation, Design & Build kitchen planning services, and a co-branded Mastercard rewards card.

Product overview

KaTom Restaurant Supply is a national wholesale distributor of commercial restaurant equipment and supplies, offering hundreds of thousands of products across a unified e-commerce platform. The portfolio consists of ten core product categories: Restaurant Equipment (cooking, food prep, ranges, grills, refrigeration accessories), Commercial Refrigeration (reach-in units, walk-in coolers/freezers, prep tables, display cases), Commercial Ice Makers (machines, bins, dispensers, filters), Smallwares/Kitchen Supplies (baking tools, knives, cookware, utensils), Tabletop (dinnerware, flatware, glassware, serving items), Cleaning & Janitorial Supplies, Restaurant Furniture (seating, tables), Disposables & Consumables, Storage & Transport equipment, and Business Type-specific supplies. The platform is supplemented by the KaTom Rewards Credit Card (a co-branded Mastercard), Foodservice Equipment Specialists (expert consultation), Design & Build Services, and a physical Chef Supplies showroom. KaTom operates 350,000+ square feet of warehouse space and partners with ~700 manufacturers to offer products at wholesale prices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chef Supplies: A brick-and-mortar kitchen supply store and showroom that offers local and regional customers the opportunity to purchase or pick up items in a traditional retail setting, as opposed to KaTom's wholesale distribution model.

Products and services

• Restaurant Equipment Heavy-duty cooking and food-prep equipment for commercial kitchens, including commercial ranges, grills, griddles, broilers, deep fryers, commercial ovens, commercial mixers, blenders, steam cooking equipment, food warmers and holding equipment, food prep equipment, beverage equipment, commercial dishwashers, work tables, ventilation, plumbing supplies, and NSF-certified and USA-made options. Designed for independent restaurants, multi-location chains, hotels, schools, healthcare, and other commercial foodservice operators.
• Commercial Refrigeration Cold storage equipment for commercial foodservice, including reach-in refrigerators and freezers, walk-in coolers and freezers, prep tables, back bar coolers, bottle coolers, undercounter units, worktop refrigerators, glass door merchandisers, deli and bakery display cases, sushi and floral cases, wine displays, and chest freezers. ENERGY STAR certified options available. For restaurants, bars, hotels, healthcare, schools, and convenience stores.
• Commercial Ice Makers High-capacity ice production equipment including ice machines with bins, undercounter ice makers, ice machine heads, ice dispensers, countertop ice makers, ice merchandisers, ice bins, ice maker filters, parts and accessories, and specialized formats (air-cooled, water-cooled, remote-cooled, cube, flake, nugget, gourmet). For commercial foodservice, bars, hotels, healthcare, and convenience stores.
• Smallwares / Kitchen Supplies Back-of-house kitchen tools and utensils including baking supplies, kitchen knives and turners, cookware, kitchen utensils, hotel pans and food pans, chafers, food storage containers, cutting boards, kitchen brushes, thermometers and timers, bartending supplies, beverage service supplies, bussing supplies, trays, dishwasher racks, fruit and vegetable prep tools, and wine service supplies. For commercial kitchens in restaurants, catering, hotels, and institutions.
• Tabletop Front-of-house serving items including restaurant dinnerware, drinkware, flatware, chafers, baskets, glassware, liquor and cocktail glasses, wine glasses, serving dishes and items, menu covers, table linens, and tabletop organizers and dispensers. For restaurants, hotels, catering, and hospitality operators.
• Cleaning & Janitorial Supplies Facility cleaning and maintenance products including bathroom supplies, commercial trash cans, floor mats and floor maintenance items, cleaning chemicals, soap and paper towel dispensers, toilet paper dispensers, hand dryers, and safety supplies. For commercial kitchens, restaurants, hotels, schools, and healthcare facilities.
• Restaurant Furniture Commercial seating and tables including patio furniture, restaurant seating, tables, cocktail tables, bar stools, folding tables, and specialty furniture for indoor and outdoor dining environments. For restaurants, bars, hotels, cafes, and hospitality venues.
• Disposables & Consumables Single-use and consumable products including food consumables, kitchen disposables, disposable food containers, disposable tableware, aluminum foil and containers, commercial food bags, deli containers, disposable cups, paper products, plastic bags and wraps, straws, and to-go containers. For restaurants, food trucks, catering, convenience stores, and quick-service operations.
• Storage & Transport Commercial carts, shelving, and transport equipment including commercial carts, commercial shelving, food and beverage transport, restaurant racks, can racks, dollies, commercial safes, food pan carriers, insulated beverage dispensers, pan racks, platform trucks, polymer shelving, pot racks, portable bars, utility carts, and wire shelving. For restaurants, caterers, warehouses, and back-of-house operations.
• Business Type Supplies Specialized supplies organized by business type, including Asian restaurant supplies, break room equipment, butcher shop supplies, cafeteria supplies, catering supplies, coffee shop equipment, convenience store equipment, deli equipment, food truck supplies, frozen yogurt supplies, hospitality and hotel supplies, ice cream supplies, Italian restaurant supply, juice bar equipment, meal prep supplies, Mexican restaurant supplies, movie theatre supplies, pizzeria equipment, and wedding supplies. For operators outfitting a specific vertical.
• KaTom Rewards Credit Card Co-branded Mastercard offered in partnership with Apex/Mastercard, available in Business and Consumer variants, providing tiered cash back: 3% back on KaTom.com purchases, 2% on dining and office supplies, and 1% on groceries and gas (Business card). For commercial foodservice operators and individual purchasers.
• Foodservice Equipment Specialists Expert consultation service providing guidance on equipment selection, budget planning, order streamlining, and delivery coordination for commercial kitchen projects. Staffed by dozens of Certified Food Service Professionals. Available via phone (800-541-8683), live chat, and email. For foodservice operators planning, sourcing, or building commercial kitchens.
• Design & Build Services Professional restaurant design and kitchen layout services to help customers plan, source, and build commercial kitchens on time and on budget. For foodservice operators undertaking new builds, remodels, or expansion projects.
• Chef Supplies Showroom Brick-and-mortar kitchen supply store and showroom in Kodak, Tennessee (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) offering local and regional customers the opportunity to purchase or pick up items in a traditional retail setting, complementary to KaTom's wholesale distribution model. For local foodservice operators, home chefs, and walk-in customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving over 1.5 million foodservice operators since 1987
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UPScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUPS is KaTom's primary shipping partner for smaller items, enabling package delivery to customers nationwide.
• Multiple Freight CarrierscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKaTom works with several freight carriers for larger equipment delivery, providing lift gate service and other freight options.
• Nearly 700 Restaurant Equipment ManufacturerscoreTechnology or IntegrationKaTom partners with approximately 700 restaurant equipment and supplies manufacturers to provide one-stop shopping. Includes drop-ship capabilities from some manufacturers enabling direct-to-customer delivery.
• MasterCard (Apex)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKaTom Rewards MasterCard issued through MasterCard/Apex partnership, offering cash back rewards on purchases.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Restaurant Store: Cash-and-carry foodservice supply retailer owned by US Foods. Sells commercial kitchen equipment and supplies to restaurant operators; competes with KaTom across many of the same SKU categories.
• Mission Restaurant Supply: Restaurant equipment and smallwares distributor serving Texas and national markets online. Competes with KaTom on equipment breadth and online ordering for independent restaurants.
• Restaurant Depot: Cash-and-carry foodservice supply warehouse club serving restaurants and food businesses. Overlaps with KaTom on equipment and supplies but competes via membership-based physical warehouse model rather than e-commerce/ship-to-customer.
• Tundra Restaurant Supply: Online wholesale distributor of commercial restaurant equipment and supplies. Direct e-commerce competitor to KaTom with similar catalog and target customer.
• WebstaurantStore: Largest online foodservice supply retailer in the U.S., offering commercial kitchen equipment, smallwares, and disposables. Directly comparable to KaTom on catalog breadth, e-commerce GTM, and target customer (independent restaurants and chains).
• Wasserstrom: Long-standing foodservice supply distributor serving restaurant chains and institutions. Comparable to KaTom on equipment, supplies, and Design & Build services for chain customers.
• Edward Don & Company: Wholesale distributor of foodservice equipment, supplies, and furniture to chain restaurants, healthcare, and hospitality. Direct competitor to KaTom on the equipment/supply side and in design/build services.

Broad incumbents

• US Foods: Major broadline foodservice distributor that owns The Restaurant Store. Competes with KaTom on equipment and supplies sold to independent restaurants and multi-unit operators.
• Sysco: Largest U.S. broadline foodservice distributor. While primarily foods, Sysco also supplies equipment and supplies through its Imperial Dade and Specialty Meat Group adjacencies and competes with KaTom for institutional accounts.
• Amazon Business: Massive e-commerce platform with growing foodservice equipment and supply assortment. Competes with KaTom primarily on price, selection, and delivery speed for smallwares, tabletop, and disposables.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KatomRS
• Facebookfacebook.com/KaTomRestaurantSupply
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/katom-restaurant-supply-inc-

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KaTom Restaurant Supply