Rapids Wholesale Equipment
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1936
- HeadquartersMarion, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Rapids Wholesale Equipment firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rapids Wholesale Equipment
- Legal name
- Rapids Wholesale Foodservice Equipment Co.
- Website
- https://rapidswholesale.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1936
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rapids Wholesale Equipment industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Foodservice Equipment
- NAICS
- Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42385), Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423740)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Restaurant & Commercial Kitchen Equipment Wholesale (AFAIALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bar & Beverage Service Supplies Wholesale (AFAIALAG), Food Preparation Equipment & Smallwares Wholesale (AFAIALAK)
Keywords
Where Rapids Wholesale Equipment is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Marion
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Rapids Wholesale Equipment business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Equipment and Supplies Sales: Revenue generated from direct sales of commercial foodservice equipment including refrigeration, cooking equipment, bar/beverage equipment, smallwares, and supplies. Sales occur through e-commerce website, phone orders, in-person showroom purchases, and custom quotes for larger equipment packages. The company offers financing options and equipment leasing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Retail pricing for foodservice equipment and supplies |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Rapids Wholesale Equipment product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rapids Wholesale Equipment is a wholesale distributor of commercial foodservice equipment, kitchen supplies, and related products, founded in 1936 and headquartered in Marion, Iowa. The company supplies restaurants, bars, schools, healthcare facilities, country clubs, and other foodservice operations with cooking equipment, commercial refrigeration, bar and beverage dispensing equipment, smallwares, and consumable supplies. In addition to its multi-brand catalog, Rapids operates its own private-label Volition line of refrigeration products, two retail showrooms, a contract and design service for new and remodeled kitchens, equipment repair through STAR Foodservice, and a same-day shipping service branded as Rapids Ship.
Product overview
Rapids Wholesale Equipment is a wholesale foodservice equipment and supplies distributor offering a comprehensive B2B e-commerce platform for commercial kitchen and foodservice operations. The company was founded in 1936 and specializes in commercial refrigeration (reach-in coolers, freezers, walk-in coolers), kitchen equipment (cooking, prep, warming), kitchen smallwares (utensils, storage, cookware), dining and service supplies, bar and beverage equipment, beer dispensing systems, janitorial supplies, and restaurant furniture. Rapids operates its own private label brand 'Volition Refrigeration' alongside major third-party brands including True, Vulcan, Vollrath, Beverage Air, Traulsen, Turbo Air, Hoshizaki, Manitowoc, Scotsman, Cambro, Perlick, and many others. The company also provides contract and design services through its award-winning Rapids Contract & Design team and equipment repair/maintenance through STAR Foodservice Equipment & Repair. The product portfolio is sold primarily through their e-commerce platform and two retail showroom locations in Iowa and Minnesota.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Volition Refrigeration: Budget-friendly refrigeration product line including reach-in refrigerators, freezers, undercounter units, and sandwich prep stations.
- Volition Kitchen Equipment
Quantifiable outcome
- Same-day shipping for in-stock items ordered before 3 PM CST
Companies that use Rapids Wholesale Equipment
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Rapids Wholesale Equipment technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Rapids Wholesale Equipment partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Volition (Private Label Brand)coreRapids Wholesale offers their own private-label Volition brand of refrigeration equipment including reach-in refrigerators, freezers, undercounter units, and sandwich prep stations. This is a core proprietary product line offering budget-friendly alternatives to name brands.
- True ManufacturingcoreTop refrigeration brand known for high-quality, American-made products that set global performance standards. Rapids features True extensively in their refrigeration category with dedicated product pages and brand store.
- Vulcan (Wolf Foodservice)majorLeading commercial cooking equipment manufacturer. Rapids stocks Vulcan ranges, ovens, charbroilers, and griddles, with promotional offers like free gas connectors with oven purchases.
- VollrathmajorMajor equipment and smallwares brand. Rapids features Vollrath products across equipment and supplies, with periodic promotional giveaways like 'Enter to Win a Vollrath Wear-Ever 7-Inch Fry Pan'.
- Manitowoc IcemajorLeading commercial ice machine manufacturer. Rapids offers full Manitowoc product line including self-contained units, modular cubers, bins, and accessories.
- ScotsmanmajorCommercial ice machine brand. Rapids stocks Scotsman self-contained units, modular cubers, dispensers and accessories.
- HoshizakimajorPremium commercial ice machine and refrigeration manufacturer. Rapids offers Hoshizaki ice machines, dispensers, and refrigeration products.
- CambromajorLeading foodservice storage and transport brand. Rapids offers Cambro food storage containers, insulated transport, display and serving items, bussing, kitchen prep, and shelving products.
- PerlickmajorPremium beer dispensing and bar equipment brand. Rapids features Perlick beer faucets, draft beer towers, couplers, and parts in dedicated promotional sections.
- TraulsenmajorHigh-end commercial refrigeration manufacturer. Rapids stocks Traulsen reach-in refrigerators, prep tables, and has dedicated brand store page.
- Beverage AirmajorEstablished since 1944, leading commercial refrigeration manufacturer. Rapids offers Beverage Air reach-in refrigerators, freezers, glass chillers, beverage coolers, and undercounter units.
- Cedar Rapids Metro Economic AllianceminorLocal economic development organization. Rapids is a proud member, demonstrating community engagement in their home region of Iowa.
- HobartmajorPremium commercial kitchen equipment including meat slicers, mixers, and dishwashers. Rapids offers Hobart branded food prep equipment including commercial meat slicers and mixers.
- Turbo AirmajorCommercial refrigeration manufacturer known for quality and reliability. Rapids offers Turbo Air reach-in refrigerators and refrigeration units.
- AtosamajorCommercial refrigeration brand. Rapids features Atosa products prominently with dedicated 'Atosa In Stock' promotional section and extensive refrigeration inventory.
- CPS (Extended Warranty)minorExtended warranty provider offered through Rapids for equipment protection plans.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Rapids Wholesale Equipment competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tundra Restaurant Supply: Tundra is an online-only foodservice equipment and supplies retailer specializing in bulk pricing for restaurants and bars. It overlaps Rapids' refrigeration, cooking, and bar equipment assortment with a similar value-pricing positioning.
- Chef's Deal: Chef's Deal is a Nashville-based commercial kitchen equipment retailer combining e-commerce, showrooms, and design services. Its model closely mirrors Rapids' showroom + design + equipment distribution hybrid.
- The Restaurant Store: The Restaurant Store operates cash-and-carry outlets for restaurant equipment and supplies across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. It is comparable in serving SMB restaurants and competes with Rapids on price and accessibility.
- KaTom Restaurant Supply: KaTom is a family-owned foodservice equipment and supplies distributor founded in 1947 serving restaurants, schools, and government accounts. It is closely comparable to Rapids in business model, customer mix, and breadth of refrigeration, cooking, and smallwares offerings.
- CKitchen: CKitchen sells new and used commercial kitchen equipment to restaurants, schools, and institutions across the U.S. Its equipment breadth and SMB customer base align with Rapids' core offering.
- Restaurant Depot: Restaurant Depot operates a national chain of cash-and-carry warehouse clubs supplying foodservice operators with equipment, smallwares, and food. It competes directly with Rapids' showroom concept for SMB restaurant customers and contract-design buyers.
- Boelter Companies: Boelter is a Midwest-based foodservice equipment, supply, and design company serving restaurants, healthcare, and hospitality. Its regional Midwest presence and design/build capabilities make it a near-direct geographic and operational peer to Rapids.
- Global Equipment Company: Global Equipment Company distributes commercial restaurant equipment and supplies to operators nationwide. Its B2B catalog focus and SMB customer base align with Rapids' e-commerce and contract-sales motion.
- WebstaurantStore: WebstaurantStore is the largest U.S. online foodservice equipment and supplies retailer, offering commercial refrigeration, cooking equipment, smallwares, and tabletop with national shipping. It directly overlaps Rapids' full catalog and competes head-to-head on price and assortment.
Broad incumbents
- US Foods: US Foods is one of the largest U.S. broadline foodservice distributors with an equipment and supplies division. While primarily food distribution, its overlapping equipment catalog and scale position it as a broader incumbent that can bundle equipment with food contracts.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rapids Wholesale Equipment social profiles
Digital presenceRapids Wholesale Equipment financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rapids Wholesale Equipment leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Rapids Wholesale Equipment funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rapids Wholesale Equipment M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rapids Wholesale Equipment
What does Rapids Wholesale Equipment do?
Rapids Wholesale Equipment is a wholesale distributor of commercial foodservice equipment, kitchen supplies, and related products, founded in 1936 and headquartered in Marion, Iowa. The company supplies restaurants, bars, schools, healthcare facilities, country clubs, and other foodservice operations with cooking equipment, commercial refrigeration, bar and beverage dispensing equipment, smallwares, and consumable supplies. In addition to its multi-brand catalog, Rapids operates its own private-label Volition line of refrigeration products, two retail showrooms, a contract and design service for new and remodeled kitchens, equipment repair through STAR Foodservice, and a same-day shipping service branded as Rapids Ship.
Is Rapids Wholesale Equipment a public or private company?
Rapids Wholesale Equipment is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Rapids Wholesale Equipment founded?
Rapids Wholesale Equipment was founded in 1936. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Rapids Wholesale Equipment based?
Rapids Wholesale Equipment is headquartered in Marion, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rapids Wholesale Equipment make money?
One revenue line is on record: equipment and Supplies Sales.
Who are Rapids Wholesale Equipment's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tundra Restaurant Supply, Chef's Deal, The Restaurant Store, KaTom Restaurant Supply, CKitchen, Restaurant Depot, Boelter Companies, Global Equipment Company and WebstaurantStore. US Foods is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Rapids Wholesale Equipment have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rapids Wholesale Equipment.
What industry is Rapids Wholesale Equipment in?
Rapids Wholesale Equipment's product category is Commercial Foodservice Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAIALAB, Restaurant & Commercial Kitchen Equipment Wholesale, with a secondary code of AFAIALAG, Bar & Beverage Service Supplies Wholesale. Its NAICS code is 42385 and its SIC code is 5080.