Food Service Equipment

What Food Service Equipment does

Food Service Equipment Inc. (FSE Inc.) is a private commercial foodservice equipment dealer founded in 1987 and headquartered at 3039 Hoover Avenue, National City, California. The company designs and supplies food service equipment primarily for hotel, restaurant, bar, school, and institutional foodservice operators in San Diego County and the broader Southern California market. Its product portfolio spans new equipment from established OEMs (Hobart as the core partnership, with Montague and Traulsen as supporting lines) alongside an actively rotating catalog of used and refurbished equipment tested and serviced by in-house technicians. Equipment categories cover heavy-duty and countertop cooking, food preparation, holding and warming, refrigeration and ice, warewashing, ventilation, worktables, shelving, kitchenware, and increasingly front-of-house items including furniture, tabletop, bar/beverage, glassware, and catering/display.

FSE operates as a hybrid reseller and service provider. New equipment is sold via a quote-based inside-sales motion supported by a staffed National City showroom; used equipment is listed on the company website and sold at price points ranging roughly from $1,795 to $13,999 per unit depending on category and condition. A recurring monthly online auction channel branded Maxx Auction runs on the Proxibid platform, featuring preview days, scheduled pickup, and $100 refundable participant deposits, providing a separate demand-generation and inventory-clearance mechanism that extends the company's buyer reach beyond walk-in traffic.

The Kitchen Facility Design (KFD) division layers professional services on top of equipment sales, offering consultative commercial kitchen design, layout planning, equipment specification, and installation for new-build and renovation projects across the hospitality sector. KFD staff are former restaurant owners, chefs, and equipment industry professionals with over 70 years of combined experience, positioning FSE for higher-value project work beyond unit-level transactions. Operating geographies are limited to the San Diego region and Southern California; no parent company, subsidiaries, funding rounds, or institutional investors are disclosed in the available data.

Name

Food Service Equipment

Legal name

Food Service Equipment Inc.

Website

https://fsesd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Food Service Equipment Inc. (FSE) is a 1987-founded, National City, California-based commercial foodservice equipment dealer serving San Diego and Southern California restaurants, bars, schools, and hospitality operators with new and refurbished Hobart, Montague, and Traulsen equipment, Maxx Auction online sales, and Kitchen Facility Design services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Foodservice Equipment

NAICS

Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (423740), Refrigeration Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42374)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Restaurant & Commercial Kitchen Equipment Wholesale (AFAIALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Preparation Equipment & Smallwares Wholesale (AFAIALAK), Temperature-Controlled Foodservice/Institutional Supply Wholesale (AFAIAHAK)

Keywords

• Commercial kitchen equipment
• Foodservice equipment dealer
• Used restaurant equipment
• Commercial refrigeration sales
• Kitchen design services

Headquarters

HQ city

National City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. New Equipment Sales: Sale of new commercial foodservice equipment from trusted industry brands including Hobart, Montague, Traulsen and other manufacturers. Products include cooking, refrigeration, food preparation, ventilation, warewashing, and front-of-house equipment.
2. Used Equipment Sales: Sale of pre-owned, tested, and refurbished commercial foodservice equipment. Equipment is tested by in-house technicians and sold at various price points depending on condition and model. Includes items like Hobart meat slicers ($1,795-$3,495), mixers ($1,995-$13,999), and ovens.
3. Online Auctions: Monthly online auctions through Proxibid/Maxx Auction platform where buyers bid on restaurant equipment. Auctions feature preview days and scheduled checkout/pickup periods. $100 deposit required per participant.
4. Kitchen Design Services: Commercial kitchen design and installation services providing comprehensive project support from concept through operation, including layout planning, equipment specification, and professional installation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

FSE Inc. supplies new and refurbished commercial foodservice equipment—including cooking, refrigeration, ventilation, warewashing, food preparation, holding/warming, and front-of-house categories—from brands such as Hobart, Montague, and Traulsen. The company complements equipment sales with Kitchen Facility Design (KFD) kitchen design/build/install services and a monthly online auction channel (Maxx Auction on Proxibid) for used inventory disposition.

Product overview

Food Service Equipment (FSE Inc.) is a commercial foodservice equipment dealer founded in 1987, serving San Diego and beyond. The company operates as a single integrated offering combining equipment sales (new and used) with kitchen design services and an online auction platform. The product portfolio centers on Hobart commercial food preparation equipment (meat slicers, mixers, buffalo choppers), Montague commercial ovens (double stack and single convection), and Traulsen refrigeration. Beyond equipment sales, FSE offers comprehensive kitchen design and installation services through their Kitchen Facility Design (KFD) division, and operates monthly online auctions via the Maxx Auction platform on Proxibid. The company positions itself as San Diego's premiere Hobart dealer and serves restaurants, bars, schools, and other commercial food service operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• New Commercial Cooking Equipment Top-tier heavy duty commercial cooking equipment including ranges, griddles, charbroilers, and fryers built for durability, precision, and high-volume performance in commercial kitchens. Sold new from trusted industry brands to foodservice operators building or upgrading operations.
• Countertop Cooking Equipment Compact yet powerful countertop griddles, induction cookers, panini presses, and similar equipment designed for speed and versatility in commercial kitchen operations.
• Food Preparation Equipment Heavy-duty mixers, slicers, food processors, and prep tables designed for precision and consistency in high-demand commercial kitchen environments.
• Refrigeration & Ice Equipment Commercial refrigerators, freezers, and ice machines offering energy-efficient cooling solutions for foodservice operations.
• Warewashing Equipment Commercial dishwashers, glass washers, and pot sinks designed for speed, efficiency, and HACCP compliance in commercial foodservice operations.
• Ventilation Equipment High-performance exhaust hoods, ventless solutions, and makeup air systems engineered for commercial kitchen air quality and safety.
• Holding & Warming Equipment Heated cabinets, steam tables, and countertop warmers to maintain food quality and temperature in commercial foodservice.
• Front-of-House Equipment (Furniture, Tabletop, Bar, Glassware, Catering & Display) Restaurant furniture, dinnerware, flatware, bar/beverage equipment, glassware, and catering/display items for front-of-house commercial foodservice operations.
• Used and Refurbished Hobart Commercial Equipment (Slicers, Mixers, Buffalo Choppers) Pre-owned and fully refurbished Hobart meat slicers (e.g., 1612, 1712, 1712E, 2712, 2712C), planetary floor mixers in 20–140 quart capacities (A-200, D-340, HL200, HL600, L800, M-802, V1401), and buffalo choppers (84145, 84186), all tested by in-house technicians to manufacturer standards. Priced from $1,795 to $13,999 depending on model and condition.
• Used Montague Commercial Ovens Used Montague convection ovens including the 2-115A(G) double stack (natural gas), HX2-63A double stack, and HX2-63A single convection models, designed for high-volume baking and cooking in commercial kitchens. Priced $3,995–$7,500.
• Used Traulsen Chef Base Refrigerator Used Traulsen UL3SBS-X0011 commercial chef base refrigerator for undercounter food storage in professional kitchens. Listed at approximately $5,000.
• Kitchen Facility Design (KFD) — Commercial Kitchen Design & Installation Service Professional commercial kitchen design and installation service delivered by a team with over 70 years combined experience as former restaurant owners, chefs, and commercial equipment industry professionals. Scope covers concept definition, menu development, layout planning, equipment selection, and professional installation for new hospitality ventures and renovations.
• Maxx Auction — Monthly Online Equipment Auction (via Proxibid) Monthly online auction platform operated through Proxibid where buyers bid on quality used restaurant equipment. Features scheduled preview days and pickup windows, a $100 refundable deposit per participant, and competitive-bid pricing on used inventory.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HobartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFSE Inc. is San Diego's premiere Hobart dealer, offering a full range of Hobart commercial food service equipment including mixers, meat slicers, and food preparation equipment. Hobart is a leading manufacturer of commercial food equipment, and FSE sells both new and refurbished Hobart products.
• ProxibidcoreTechnology or IntegrationProxibid provides the online auction platform for FSE's Maxx Auction monthly equipment sales. The platform handles auction registration, bidding, and deposit collection ($100 per participant).
• MontagueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFSE Inc. offers Montague commercial ovens including double stack ovens and single convection ovens as part of their used equipment inventory.
• TraulsenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFSE Inc. offers Traulsen commercial refrigeration equipment including chef bases as part of their used equipment inventory.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Central Restaurant Products: Indianapolis-based restaurant equipment and supply distributor carrying major brands similar to FSE's Hobart, Montague, and Traulsen lineup. Comparable in product mix and operator customer base.
• The Restaurant Store: Cash-and-carry restaurant supply chain operating showrooms across the Mid-Atlantic and other regions. Comparable to FSE's direct-sale dealer model serving independent restaurants and small operators.
• Mission Restaurant Supply: Texas-based restaurant equipment and supply store with showroom and online channels. Comparable to FSE as a regional dealer carrying cooking, refrigeration, and prep equipment plus design services.
• Chef's Deal: Commercial kitchen equipment dealer offering new and used equipment plus kitchen design services - virtually identical service mix to FSE including the design and installation add-on.
• WebstaurantStore: One of the largest online foodservice equipment and supply retailers in the US, selling commercial kitchen equipment, refrigeration, and supplies direct to operators. Directly competes with FSE across the same product categories with transparent online pricing versus FSE's quote-based model.
• Boelter Companies: National foodservice equipment and supply distributor serving restaurants, hospitality, and institutional operators. Comparable to FSE as a broad-line foodservice equipment dealer with design-and-supply capabilities.
• KaTom Restaurant Supply: National restaurant equipment and supply dealer offering new and used equipment, smallwares, and tabletop categories. Directly competes with FSE in commercial kitchen equipment distribution with a similar multi-channel sales approach.
• Federal Equipment Company: Used and refurbished commercial food processing and kitchen equipment dealer. Highly comparable to FSE's used equipment and refurbishment business line with auction and direct sales channels.
• Restaurant Depot: Cash-and-carry foodservice equipment and supply wholesaler serving restaurants and foodservice operators. Directly competes with FSE across new equipment, smallwares, and supplies, though on a national rather than regional basis.
• CKitchen (formerly Clark Restaurant Equipment): Restaurant equipment dealer with new and used equipment plus kitchen design services. Closely comparable to FSE's combined dealer-and-design service model across backend cooking, refrigeration, and prep categories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fsesd
• Instagraminstagram.com/fsesd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fse-food-service-equipment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Food Service Equipment