Kessenich's

What Kessenich's does

Kessenich's is a full-service commercial foodservice design, equipment, and supply company headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, operating as a division of Great Lakes Ventures. Founded in 1929 by Herman Kessenich originally as a candy wholesaler, the company has evolved over nearly a century into an integrated foodservice contractor offering culinary design (using Autodesk Revit for 3D modeling), project management, installation, bid and spec estimation, sales and procurement, White Glove opening packages, and Concierge Warranty Service. It serves sixteen vertical segments including restaurants and bars, K-12 schools, hospitals, senior living, colleges and universities, country clubs, correctional facilities, supermarkets, government, breweries and distilleries, event and conference venues, outdoor entertainment, airports, business and industry, and travel/resort operators.

The company's core technology is Autodesk Revit-based 3D modeling applied to commercial kitchen design, with an on-site warehouse at the Madison headquarters supporting project staging for full kitchen builds. A digital equipment catalog covers refrigeration, cooking, prep tools, dining essentials, and beverage systems. Kessenich's partners with Ascentium Capital (a division of Regions Bank) to provide a 100% financing program, and with Great Lakes Culinary Design Services (glcds.com) for design execution. Go-to-market combines direct field sales for enterprise accounts, a public retail showroom in Madison, a regional office in Naperville, Illinois, and digital channels including a website, blog (Foodservice Resource Center), email, and Flipsnack catalog.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time commercial kitchen equipment sales plus professional services revenue from design, project management, installation, and bid/spec work. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company maintains industry association memberships (FEDA, FCSI, SEFA) and has a stated customer base spanning Wisconsin, Illinois, and the broader United States, with a current clean-out sale at the Madison showroom indicating inventory repositioning. No public financials, funding rounds, or institutional investment are disclosed; the business remains privately held under the Great Lakes Ventures umbrella with Adam Israel listed as President.

Name

Kessenich's

Legal name

Kessenich's - a division of Great Lakes Ventures

Website

https://kessenichs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kessenich's is a Wisconsin-based, full-service commercial foodservice design, equipment, and supply company founded in 1929, serving 16 verticals including restaurants, K-12 schools, healthcare, and hospitality across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Foodservice Equipment & Design

SIC

Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)

akta.pro primary industry

Institutional Foodservice Distribution (Education, Healthcare, Government) (CRAOABAM)

Keywords

• Commercial kitchen equipment
• Foodservice design services
• Kitchen project management
• Commercial kitchen installation
• Foodservice supplies distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commercial Kitchen Equipment Sales: Kessenich's sells a wide range of commercial kitchen equipment including refrigeration, cooking, prep tools, dining essentials, and beverage systems. Equipment is sourced from trusted manufacturers and top-performing brands, with access to any brand on request.
2. Foodservice Design & Project Management Services: The company provides culinary design, project management, installation, bid & spec, and sales & procurement services for commercial kitchen projects. Services include White Glove opening packages, interior design, and concierge warranty service after installation.
3. Foodservice Supplies & Smallwares: Kessenich's supplies small wares, tabletop, furniture, bar supplies, disposable paper products, green products, janitorial cleaning supplies, and apparel to foodservice operations.
4. Financing Services: Kessenich's partners with Ascentium Capital to offer 100% financing programs enabling customers to bundle expenses such as shipping and tax, avoiding out-of-pocket expenses for foodservice equipment acquisition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kessenich's is a full-service foodservice design, equipment and supply company that plans, procures, installs and supports commercial kitchens for restaurants, schools, healthcare and other institutional operators. Its offering combines award-winning in-house culinary design (Autodesk Revit 3D modeling), project management, professional installation, bid & spec, sales & procurement, White Glove opening packages, concierge warranty service, and a 100% financing program through Ascentium Capital, supported by a retail showroom and online catalog.

Product overview

Kessenich's is a full-service foodservice design, equipment & supply company operating as a single integrated offering rather than a modular platform. The company provides a comprehensive suite of services including award-winning Culinary Design (using Autodesk Revit 3D modeling), Project Management, Installation, Bid & Spec, and Sales & Procurement. These core services are complemented by White Glove Opening Package Services and Concierge Warranty Service. The company also offers an extensive Kitchen Equipment Catalog covering refrigeration, cooking equipment, prep tools, dining essentials, and beverage systems, along with K-12 Food Service Supplies and Tabletop & Furniture Solutions. Financing options are available through Ascentium Capital partnership. The company operates retail showrooms open to the public and serves a wide range of industries including restaurants, schools, healthcare, and hospitality.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Culinary Design Services Turn-key commercial kitchen design and build services delivered by an in-house, award-winning culinary design team using 3D modeling in Autodesk Revit on every project; intended for restaurant, hospitality, healthcare, K-12, and institutional foodservice operators.
• Project Management End-to-end project management overseeing every aspect of commercial kitchen projects, coordinating trades (HVAC, refrigeration, large equipment, millwork), resolving obstacles, and ensuring execution details; for complex commercial kitchen builds.
• Installation Services Installation services delivered with vetted local installers for HVAC, refrigeration, large equipment, millwork, interior design, furniture and smallwares; for commercial kitchen projects.
• Bid & Spec Services Estimating and bidding services providing detailed bids, rough-in drawings, and individual equipment specifications to help clients evaluate commercial kitchen decisions.
• Sales & Procurement Supply of commercial kitchen equipment and supplies including appliances, smallwares, apparel, furniture, bar supplies, disposable paper products, green products, and janitorial cleaning supplies, with access to any brand on request.
• White Glove Opening Package Services Comprehensive opening-day services bundling tabletop, furniture, smallwares and interior design (paint colors, flooring, lighting, china, accessories) to ready a foodservice operation for opening.
• Concierge Warranty Service Post-installation warranty service providing personalized support to resolve equipment issues for products installed by Kessenich's.
• Kitchen Equipment Catalog Comprehensive catalog (delivered via Flipsnack) featuring refrigeration, cooking equipment, prep tools, dining essentials, beverage systems and access to any brand on request, used by foodservice operators to browse and procure equipment.
• Tabletop & Furniture Solutions Tabletop and furniture offerings including stemware, fast-casual furniture and complete solutions for foodservice operations.
• K-12 Food Service Supplies Foodservice supplies for K-12 schools including food prep, food transport, food warming, serving system solutions, beverage systems and equipment such as toasters; aligns with academic-year procurement cycles.
• Commercial Kitchen Financing Program 100% financing program delivered through partnership with Ascentium Capital (a division of Regions Bank), enabling customers to bundle shipping, tax and equipment costs into one multi-year finance contract with no out-of-pocket expense.

Named customers3 records

Segments16 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Great Lakes (Great Lakes Ventures / Great Lakes Hotel Supply Co.)coreOthersKessenich's is a division of Great Lakes Ventures (also known as Great Lakes Hotel Supply Co.). This parent company relationship enables Kessenich's to offer nationally renowned design team services while maintaining local Madison operations. Great Lakes Culinary Design Services (glcds.com) provides the culinary design expertise.
• Great Lakes Culinary Design Services (glcds.com)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatt Barnes, Director of Design at glcds.com, leads the award-winning culinary design team that handles all design services for Kessenich's customers. The partnership provides 3D modeling in Autodesk Revit for every project, offering turn-key design/build services.
• Foodservice Consultants Society InternationalminorOthersKessenich's maintains membership in Foodservice Consultants Society International, a professional association for foodservice design consultants.
• FEDA (Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association)minorOthersKessenich's maintains membership in FEDA, the Foodservices Equipment Distributors Association.
• SEFA (Southeastern Food Equipment Association)minorOthersKessenich's maintains membership in SEFA, the Southeastern Food Equipment Association.
• Canadian Pediatric Endocrine GroupminorOthersKessenich's maintains membership in the Canadian Pediatric Endocrine Group (association logo displayed on website).

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Edward Don & Company: The largest US foodservice equipment, supplies, and furniture distributor. Directly comparable to Kessenich's as a full-service dealer serving restaurants, hospitality, healthcare, and institutional customers with design, equipment, and supply capabilities.
• Boelter Companies: Regional foodservice equipment and supplies distributor with design/build and consulting services across the Midwest. Closely mirrors Kessenich's model of bundling equipment distribution, design, and project management for institutional and restaurant customers.
• The Wasserstrom Company: Foodservice equipment and supplies distributor with design, installation, and smallwares offerings. Comparable to Kessenich's as a multi-generation family-owned dealer serving restaurants, hospitality, and institutional segments.
• Singer Equipment Company: Foodservice equipment, supplies, and design services distributor serving Mid-Atlantic restaurants, schools, and hospitality operators. Highly comparable business model combining equipment sales, design support, and supply programs.
• Central Restaurant Products: Foodservice equipment and supplies distributor with both a strong e-commerce catalog and project sales team. Comparable to Kessenich's equipment distribution plus smallwares and supplies model.
• Tarrison Products: Commercial kitchen design, equipment, and supplies provider focused on foodservice operators across North America. Directly comparable design/build + equipment distribution model to Kessenich's.
• Ace Mart Restaurant Supply: Restaurant equipment and smallwares distributor with retail showrooms and project services. Comparable to Kessenich's mix of in-person showroom sales, equipment distribution, and project support for foodservice operators.

Broad incumbents

• Great Lakes Hotel Supply Co. Parent company of Kessenich's, offering nationally renowned design and supply services. Operates a broader portfolio of foodservice brands than the Kessenich's division and shares overlapping customers and design resources.

Emerging players

• Cini-Little International: Foodservice management and design consultancy supporting restaurants, hotels, healthcare, and institutions. Comparable in the design services layer that Kessenich's delivers via its parent-affiliated design team.
• Design Industries: Foodservice design and consulting firm supporting commercial kitchen projects. Comparable to the culinary design and Revit 3D modeling services that Kessenich's bundles into its offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KessenichLtd
• Facebookfacebook.com/Kessenichs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Kessenich's