What Electro Freeze does

Electro Freeze is a U.S. manufacturer of commercial frozen dessert equipment, operating as a division of H.C. Duke & Son LLC within the Welbilt (Ali Group) foodservice equipment portfolio. Founded in 1929 and headquartered in East Moline, Illinois (relocating to Davenport, Iowa in 2026), the company produces soft-serve machines, shake machines, frozen beverage and cocktail freezers, combination soft-serve/shake units, and batch hard-pack ice cream and gelato equipment for commercial foodservice operators.

The product portfolio spans roughly two dozen SKUs organized into six equipment categories, with patented differentiators including the Fuzionate 9-flavor integrated soft-serve system and the mix transfer pressurized system, plus proprietary variable-speed overrun control and stainless-steel evaporator architecture. The company is the originator of the first soft-serve freezer for QSRs (1946) and has continued to extend its line, most recently with the AFCS automatic cleaning system and CS705R countertop shake machine debuted at NAFEM 2025.

Electro Freeze generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of equipment, replacement parts and accessories, and service/support contracts, executed exclusively through a nationwide network of authorized distributors staffed with factory-trained service technicians. End-customers span QSRs, ice cream parlors, coffee shops, food trucks, convenience stores, bars and restaurants, and grocery retailers; Coca-Cola and H&H Products have appeared as trade-show demonstrators using Electro Freeze equipment. Pricing is quote-based through distributors and is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Electro Freeze

Legal name

H.C. Duke & Son LLC

Website

https://electrofreeze.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Electro Freeze is a U.S. manufacturer of commercial frozen dessert equipment—soft serve, shake, slush, cocktail, and batch freezers—sold since 1929 through a nationwide authorized distributor network to QSRs, ice cream shops, coffee shops, food trucks, and bars.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

East Moline

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Sale of commercial frozen dessert machines including soft serve, shake, slush, cocktail, and batch freezers. Machines sold through distributor network to foodservice operators.
2. Parts and Accessories: Replacement parts, syrup supplies, and accessories sold through distributors and directly. Third-party companies like PartsFe also sell Electro Freeze parts.
3. Service and Support: Technical service, training, and ongoing support provided through nationwide distributor organization with factory-trained service technicians.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Electro Freeze manufactures commercial frozen dessert equipment for the foodservice industry, including soft serve ice cream machines, shake machines, frozen beverage/slush machines, batch hard-pack ice cream and gelato freezers, combination soft-serve and shake units, and blenders/mixers. Products are sold exclusively through a nationwide authorized distributor network of factory-trained service technicians who handle sales, installation, training, and ongoing support.

Product overview

Electro Freeze is a manufacturer of commercial frozen dessert equipment offering a comprehensive portfolio of standalone machines under the H.C. Duke & Son LLC brand. The product lineup includes soft serve machines (CS4, CS600, GEN-5200, GES-5420, GES-5099, GES-5400, SLX400C, SLX400E, SLX500, and the 9-flavor Fuzionate), shake machines (CS700, CS705, CS705R, GEN-80, GEN-85), combination soft serve & shake machines (GES-2080), frozen beverage/slush machines (877HB, 877HBRH, 876B, 876BRH, CS900, 876, 876RH, 812H), batch hard pack ice cream & gelato machines (B12E, B24E, B12V, B24V), and blenders/mixers (HDM-75A). The company also offers the AFCS cleaning system and remote flavor system accessories. Electro Freeze serves quick-service restaurants, ice cream shops, frozen yogurt shops, gelaterias, coffee shops, bars/restaurants, convenience stores, food trucks, and grocery stores through a network of distributors and factory-trained service technicians. The equipment is manufactured in the USA with a stated history dating to 1929/1946 for soft-serve freezers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fuzionate: Patented mix transfer pressurized system technology used in the Sweet Choice 9-flavor soft serve machine, allowing nine flavors to be fully incorporated into every bite.

Products and services

• CS4 Soft Serve Machine Compact soft serve ice cream machine suitable for counter installations, designed for small to medium volume foodservice operations.
• CS600 Soft Serve Machine Soft serve ice cream machine for commercial foodservice operations, providing consistent quality frozen desserts.
• GEN-5200 Soft Serve Freezer Soft serve freezer designed for high-volume quick-service restaurant applications.
• GES-5420 Soft Serve Machine Soft serve machine for commercial frozen dessert operations.
• GES-5099 Soft Serve Freezer Soft serve freezer for foodservice establishments requiring reliable frozen dessert equipment.
• GES-5400 Soft Serve Machine Commercial soft serve ice cream machine designed for consistent product quality.
• SLX400C Soft Serve Freezer Soft serve ice cream freezer designed for commercial quick-service restaurant environments.
• SLX400E Soft Serve Machine Soft serve machine with enhanced features for commercial frozen dessert operations, versatile for various menu applications including lactose-free and kosher-certified options.
• SLX500 Soft Serve Freezer High-capacity soft serve freezer for commercial foodservice operations requiring reliable frozen dessert dispensing.
• The Fuzionate (44RMTFB) 9-Flavor Soft Serve Freezer 9-flavor soft serve freezer with Fuzionate technology featuring a patented mix transfer pressurized system; the first fully integrated frozen dessert machine to produce nine soft-serve flavors with flavors fully incorporated into every bite. Dimensions: 24W x 33L x 70H inches.
• CS700 Shake Machine High-volume shake freezer capable of producing custom shakes including root beer and creamsicle flavors for commercial operations.
• CS705R 5-Flavor Injection Shake Machine with Remote Flavor System 5-flavor injection shake machine with a countertop option featuring a remote flavor system to accommodate flexible and dynamic kitchen layouts.
• CS705 5-Flavor Injection Shake Machine 5-flavor injection shake machine designed for high-volume shake production in commercial foodservice settings.
• GEN-80 Commercial Shake Freezer Commercial shake freezer designed for efficient shake production in restaurant environments.
• GEN-85 Commercial Shake Machine Shake machine for commercial foodservice operations requiring reliable frozen shake equipment.
• GES-2080 Combination Soft Serve & Shake Machine Combination freezer that produces both soft serve ice cream and shakes in the same unit, offering menu flexibility in a single machine.
• 877HB & 877HBRH Frozen Beverage/Slush Machine Countertop frozen cocktail and beverage freezer with refrigerated hopper (877HBRH model) for commercial bar and restaurant applications including frozen coffee and energy drinks.
• 876B & 876BRH Frozen Beverage Machine Frozen beverage machine designed for commercial frozen cocktail and slush applications.
• CS900 Frozen Beverage Machine Frozen beverage machine designed for high-volume operations producing consistent frozen coffee, energy drinks, and slush products.
• 876 & 876RH Frozen Beverage and Cocktail Freezer Frozen beverage and cocktail freezer for commercial restaurant and bar operations.
• 812H Frozen Beverage Machine Frozen beverage machine designed for commercial frozen drink applications including frozen espresso drinks and slushies.
• B12E 12-Quart Batch Hard Pack Ice Cream & Gelato Freezer 12-quart batch freezer for producing ice cream, custard, gelato, sorbet, Italian ice, and sherbet. Features include oversized feed hopper, cam door latch, UL guarding, rinse hose, adjustable shelf, integrated timer, extra-large discharge chute, scroll compressor technology, variable speed overrun control, and viscosity control. Dimensions approximately 24W x 36L x 53H inches. Warranty: 1-year parts, 1-year labor, 5-year compressor.
• B24E 26-Quart Batch Hard Pack Ice Cream & Gelato Freezer 26-quart batch freezer for high-volume production of ice cream, custard, gelato, sorbet, Italian ice, and sherbet. Features oversized feed hopper, cam door latch, UL guarding, rinse hose, adjustable shelf, integrated timer, extra-large discharge chute, and scroll compressor technology.
• B12V 12-Quart Batch Freezer Variant 12-quart batch freezer variant for artisan ice cream stores, micro creameries, and retail supermarkets.
• B24V 26-Quart Batch Freezer Variant 26-quart batch freezer variant designed for high-volume artisan ice cream and gelato production.
• HDM-75A Blender & Mixer Blender and mixer accessory for frozen dessert operations, used for creating blended frozen treats and beverages.
• AFCS (Automatic Freezer Cleaning System) Automatic cleaning system that efficiently cleans Electro Freeze freezers, reducing downtime and maintenance issues caused by improper or infrequent cleanings.
• Electro Freeze Service Training Programs In-person and group technical training programs for service technicians and authorized distributors of Electro Freeze frozen dessert equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• New facility will more than double production capacity
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• WelbiltcoreOthersElectro Freeze is a Welbilt company. Welbilt is a leading global provider of commercial foodservice equipment. This parent company relationship positions Electro Freeze within a major foodservice equipment conglomerate.
• H.C. Duke & Son LLCcoreOthersElectro Freeze is a division of H.C. Duke & Son LLC (also known as Duke). The parent company has been manufacturing frozen treat machines since 1929.
• Sentry EquipmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing partner that has been installing Electro Freeze machines in food trucks for more than 20 years. Has overseen installations for Carousel's, Scream Truck, Mister Softee, and Chick-fil-A food trucks.
• Electro Freeze ColoradoregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of Electro Freeze in Colorado. Provided loaner equipment and ongoing support to Cultivated Coffee during equipment transition.
• Electro Freeze Tri-StateregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded by Bernie Rosen in 1965, this distributor became the first to achieve $1 million in sales. Now operated by third generation family members.
• PartsFeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party company that sells Electro Freeze parts for frozen drink businesses.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stoelting: US-based manufacturer of soft-serve, frozen custard, and shake equipment serving QSRs and foodservice operators — directly overlaps Electro Freeze's flagship CS4/CS600/GEN/SLX product lines.
• SaniServ: Manufacturer of commercial frozen beverage, slush, and shake equipment — directly comparable to Electro Freeze's CS900/876/877/812 frozen beverage/slush product family.
• Spaceman: Specialist manufacturer of commercial soft-serve machines — directly competes with Electro Freeze's soft-serve lineup in QSR, café, and ice cream shop applications.
• Taylor Company: Taylor is the most established direct competitor in soft-serve, shake, and frozen beverage equipment globally, now part of the Middleby Corporation. Highly comparable product line (soft serve, shakes, slushies), with overlapping QSR and convenience-store channel presence.
• Carpigiani: Italian manufacturer of batch freezers and gelato equipment — head-to-head competitor for Electro Freeze's B12E/B24E batch hard-pack units. Comparable customer base of gelaterias, ice cream parlors, and artisan producers.
• Icetro: Korean manufacturer of soft-serve, slush, and frozen beverage machines with global distribution — comparable products targeting the same QSR/café/ice cream shop customers, often at lower price points.

Emerging players

• Donper: Chinese manufacturer of commercial ice cream and frozen dessert equipment — competes aggressively on price in emerging markets, providing a low-cost alternative to Electro Freeze hardware.

Regional players

• Nissei: Japanese manufacturer of commercial refrigeration and frozen dessert equipment with strong APAC presence — overlapping product category (batch freezers, soft serve) but geographically concentrated.

Broad incumbents

• Hoshizaki: Global commercial refrigeration and ice equipment conglomerate, fellow Ali Group portfolio company. Operates overlapping foodservice channels and serves as a sister-conglomerate reference point inside the same parent ecosystem as Electro Freeze.
• Cornelius (Middleby): Broader incumbent in foodservice dispensing including frozen beverage systems; part of Middleby. Comparable in channel (large QSR and c-store operators) but with a much wider product portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/electrofreeze1
• Facebookfacebook.com/ElectroFreeze1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2017887

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Electro Freeze