What Riggs Distributing does

Riggs Distributing, Inc. is a privately held, family-controlled specialty distributor founded in 1983 and headquartered in Burlingame, California. It is the exclusive regional distributor of three luxury kitchen appliance brands — Sub-Zero (refrigeration), Wolf (cooking), and Cove (dishwashing) — across Northern California, Western Nevada, and Hawaii. The company does not manufacture; instead, it sells, distributes, and supports the brands through a multi-channel model comprising company-owned showrooms (notably inside the SF Design Center in San Francisco and a regional office in Honolulu), an authorized dealer network across the territory, and a Trade Partnership Circle program targeting architects, designers, and builders. Supporting services include Factory Certified Training for servicers and installers, experiential events (Supper Club, Lunch & Learn, Trade Mixers, Dealer Demos), and a Kitchen Design Contest that feeds into the global Sub-Zero/Wolf/Cove contest.

The revenue model is primarily hardware distribution: Riggs earns a margin on the sale of Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances through its dealer network and direct showroom engagements, supplemented by professional service revenue from showroom consultations and Factory Certified Training programs. Pricing is quote-based (not publicly disclosed) with bundled-purchase rebates such as the Full Suite Savings promotion offering up to $2,500 back or three additional years of protection on qualifying package purchases. Customer segments include individual homeowners, designers and architects, builders and developers (including enterprise-scale luxury condo developers), authorized dealers, and certified servicers/installers.

Operationally, Riggs runs three physical locations (Burlingame HQ, San Francisco Design Center showroom, Honolulu office) and a team of roughly 40+ professionals including dedicated trade specialists, territory managers, executive chefs, and a Vice President and General Manager for Hawaii. Leadership has been anchored by founder/CEO Bob Riggs (since 1983) with family members (Douglas Riggs, Scott Riggs) in operating roles. The company has been recognized in SF Magazine's Best of the Bay (2025) and featured in Hawaii Home & Remodel (April 2025). It is independently owned with no disclosed external investors, parent company, funding rounds, acquisitions, or public-market activity.

Name

Riggs Distributing

Legal name

Riggs Distributing, Inc.

Website

https://riggsdistributing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Riggs Distributing is a privately held, family-owned specialty distributor and the exclusive regional distributor of Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove luxury kitchen appliances across Northern California, Western Nevada, and Hawaii, serving homeowners, designers, builders, dealers, and installers via showrooms and a trade partnership network since 1983.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlingame

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Luxury Appliance Distribution: Riggs Distributing generates revenue primarily through the distribution and sale of Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove luxury kitchen appliances. As the exclusive distributor in Northern California, Western Nevada, and Hawaii, the company sells to dealers, builders, designers, architects, and directly to homeowners through its showroom.
2. Showroom Experience Services: The company operates showrooms in San Francisco and supports customer visits through personalized appointments with showroom consultants, providing advisory services for kitchen appliance selection.
3. Trade Training Programs: Factory Certified Training programs for servicers and installers, providing installation and product knowledge training sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Riggs Distributing is the exclusive regional distributor of Sub-Zero refrigeration, Wolf cooking, and Cove dishwashing luxury kitchen appliances across Northern California, Western Nevada, and Hawaii. The company sells and supports these three brands through company-owned showrooms in San Francisco, an authorized dealer network, trade partnership programs for design professionals, and Factory Certified Training for installers and servicers.

Product overview

Riggs Distributing is the exclusive distributor for three luxury kitchen appliance brands in Northern California, Western Nevada, and Hawaii: Sub-Zero (refrigeration), Wolf (cooking appliances), and Cove (dishwashing). Together, these three brands form a complete kitchen solution covering food preservation, cooking, and cleanup. Sub-Zero refrigerators and freezers feature dual refrigeration technology for peak freshness; Wolf provides ranges, cooktops, ovens, and grills with precision cooking capabilities; and Cove offers premium dishwashers with advanced filtration and customization options. The company operates showrooms in San Francisco and serves customers through a network of dealers throughout the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sub-Zero Refrigeration Premium refrigeration appliances featuring dual refrigeration technology that precisely controls temperatures, optimizes humidity, and scrubs air of impurities to extend food freshness. Includes built-in and integrated refrigerator and freezer models for residential kitchens.
• Wolf Cooking Appliances Precision cooking appliances including ranges, cooktops, ovens, and grills. Available in dual fuel, induction, electric, and gas configurations, delivering consistent, even heat across the temperature range for maximum flavor development.
• Cove Dishwashers Premium dishwashers featuring four-stage filtration systems, soil-sensing cycles, and infinitely adjustable settings for customized loads. Whisper-quiet operation designed to fit oversized dishes and adapt to varying soil levels.
• Showroom Consultation Services By-appointment showroom consultations at the San Francisco Design Center with showroom consultants who provide personalized guidance on Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliance selection for homeowners, designers, and builders.
• Trade Partnership Circle Program Membership-style engagement program for architects, kitchen designers, and interior designers offering direct trade specialist access, personalized showroom meetings, CEU credits, exclusive culinary classes, and co-sponsored marketing opportunities.
• Factory Certified Training for Installers and Servicers Manufacturer-certified training program providing installers and service technicians with product knowledge and proper installation techniques for Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Cove appliances. Includes access to Service Central for ongoing support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ years in business
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove (The Sub-Zero Group)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 1983Riggs Distributing is the exclusive distributor of Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove products in Northern California, Western Nevada, and Hawaii since 1983. Sub-Zero specializes in refrigeration with dual refrigeration technology. Wolf offers precision cooking appliances. Cove produces premium dishwashers. The partnership positions Riggs as the regional gateway for these luxury appliance brands.
• Howard Hughes (Ward Village)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHoward Hughes is a major developer featuring Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove in Ward Village, a 60-acre master planned community in Honolulu that won Master Planned Community of the Year by NAHB and Best Planned Community in the US by Architectural Digest.
• Kobayashi Group (Park Lane)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKobayashi Group developed Park Lane, a 219-unit ultra-luxury condominium connected to Ala Moana Center, featuring Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Cove appliances throughout.
• JL Capital (Sky Ala Moana)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJL Capital developed Sky Ala Moana, a contemporary condo-hotel combination in Honolulu featuring Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances.
• ProsPac Holding Group (Azure Ala Moana)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProsPac Holding Group developed Azure Ala Moana, designed by Design Partners Incorporated and HBA, featuring Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Cove appliances.
• Carmel Developers (The Residences at Yerba Buena Island)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarmel Developers built The Residences at Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco, featuring Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances in luxury single-family homes.
• Five Marys (Mary Heffernan)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Five Marys to create perfect test kitchen for recipe testing and hosting events. Full story documented on Mary's blog.
• Candace Cavanaugh InteriorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Francisco interior design firm creating distinctive spaces since 2004, featuring Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove in their projects.
• Peter Vincent ArchitectsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoutique architecture and design firm in Honolulu's historic Chinatown featuring Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Cove in stylish and functional kitchens.
• Landmark BuildersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCustom home builder in Sacramento area whose president John Caulfield specifies Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Cove as great investments for homeowners.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SF_Subzerowolf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Riggs Distributing