Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America
CFESA is a nonprofit trade association, founded in 1963 and headquartered in Fort Mill, SC, that provides certification, hands-on training, and networking for commercial food equipment service professionals across the United States and Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1963
- HeadquartersFort Mill, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America does
CFESA, the Commercial Food Equipment Service Association of America, is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1963 and headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina. It is the only trade association dedicated to commercial food equipment service professionals, serving independent service agents, manufacturer-affiliated service organizations, in-house technicians, and the broader foodservice operator ecosystem across five regional chapters covering the United States and Canada. CFESA's core offerings include company and technician certification programs (valid for five years), hands-on training through CFESA University and the Global Training Facility (which features four full test kitchens), an annual conference, a monthly newsletter reaching 1,600+ subscribers, and member-only events such as the Top Tech Throwdown and the YPC Symposium. The organization is allied with NAFEM (representing 500+ manufacturers) and the National Restaurant Association (representing 500,000 restaurants), positioning it between equipment makers and end operators.
The association's business model is funded primarily through annual membership dues of $2,400 per member, supplemented by paid training and certification courses, conference registration and sponsorship fees, newsletter advertising, and allied program revenue. CFESA University has set an explicit goal of delivering 33,000 training sessions by 2033 in response to a documented industry-wide shortage of qualified service technicians. Content distribution has expanded into adjacent channels through a co-produced Global Voices Podcast with ceda Academy, and member engagement is reinforced through the Top Tech Throwdown competition and YPC programming aimed at younger industry entrants. Leadership is provided by Executive Director Heather Price and Director of Training Dan Reese, with a board drawn from member companies. CFESA operates without equity funding, acquisitions, or public financial disclosure, consistent with its nonprofit, member-funded structure.
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America
- Legal name
- Commercial Food Equipment Service Association Inc.
- Website
- https://cfesa.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1963
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CFESA is a nonprofit trade association, founded in 1963 and headquartered in Fort Mill, SC, that provides certification, hands-on training, and networking for commercial food equipment service professionals across the United States and Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Association Services
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks (BPADAKAL)
Keywords
Where Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fort Mill
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership dues generate primary recurring revenue. Service agents pay $2,400 annually (prorated by application date), with $330 per additional branch location. Application fee of $250 is non-refundable.
- Training Courses: Technical training courses in gas, electric, steam, refrigeration, cooking equipment and more. EGS&W courses at $1,000 for members/$2,000 non-members. Specialized equipment courses (fryer, combi oven, ice machine) at $500 for members. 3-Day Electric at $600 members/$1,200 non-members.
- Annual Conference: Annual conference registration fees from $1,200-$1,800 for members (Young Professional to full conference with golf), $3,600-$3,800 for vendor tables. Golf tournament at $125 per person.
- Newsletter Advertising: CFESA Field Notes monthly newsletter reaches 1,600+ subscribers. Ad placements include leaderboards and rectangles at various price points ($460-$4,100).
- Sponsorships: Multiple sponsorship tiers across annual conference, regional meetings, scholarships, YPC Symposium, and Top Tech Throwdown competitions. Conference sponsorships range from $100 (golf hole sponsor) to $12,000 (Welcome Bag Sponsor).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Voting Service Agent Membership - Primary member category for service companies |
| Subscription | Annual | Affiliate Non-Service Membership - For vendors, equipment dealers, consultants |
| Subscription | Annual | Associate Membership - For equipment manufacturers |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Application Fee - Required for all new memberships |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | EGS&W Training - Electric, Gas, Steam & Water course |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Specialized Equipment Courses - Fryer, Combi Oven, Ice Machine, Hi Speed Oven |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 3-Day Electric Training Course |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Annual Conference Registration - September 27-30, 2026, Lake Geneva WI |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | National Throwdown Spectator Registration |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | CFESA Field Notes Newsletter Advertising |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CFESA is a nonprofit trade association that provides membership, five-year company and technician certifications, and technical training courses (gas, electric, steam, refrigeration, cooking equipment) to commercial foodservice equipment service professionals. It also runs an annual conference, regional meetings, a public service locator directory, and community/charitable programs that connect service agents, manufacturers, operators and vendors across the U.S. and Canada.
Product overview
CFESA is a trade association for commercial food equipment service professionals that offers a unified platform of training, certification, and professional development services. The core offerings include the CFESA Certification Program for companies and technicians, CFESA University as the training hub, and the Global Training Facility for hands-on learning. Additional services include the Service Locator directory, Field Notes newsletter, Annual Conference, Regional Meetings, Young Professionals Symposium, Top Tech Throwdown competition, and CFESA Cares Scholarships. The association connects service agents, manufacturers, operators and vendors through membership, training events, and industry resources.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CFESA University: Training platform combining comprehensive training courses, certifications and resources for foodservice professionals.
- CFESA Cares
- CFESA Field Notes
- CFESA Young Professionals Symposium
- Top Tech Throwdown
Products and services
- CFESA-Certified Company Program
- CFESA-Certified Technician and Master Technician Program
- CFESA University Training Courses
- Global Training Facility Rental
- Annual CFESA Conference
- Regional Meetings Program
- Young Professionals Symposium
- Top Tech Throwdown Competition
- CFESA Membership (Voting Service Agent)
- Affiliate Non-Service Membership
- Associate Membership for Manufacturers
- CFESA Service Locator Directory
- CFESA Cares Scholarships
Quantifiable outcome
- CFESA certification valid for five years, providing sustained credential value for technicians and companies.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America
Customer profileNamed customers19 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association (FEDA)coreTrade association serving distributors and dealers, manufacturers and associates through advocacy, education and service. FEDA's purpose is to help distributors and dealers achieve long-term business success. CFESA champions unity with FEDA as part of allied channel partnerships.
- Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI)coreProfessional organization of men and women offering design and management consulting services, specialized in the foodservice and hospitality industry, across the world.
- Manufacturers' Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry (MAFSI)coreNonprofit trade association made up of independent manufacturers' rep firms and their manufacturers across North America, focused on selling and marketing commercial foodservice equipment.
- North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM)coreTrade association of 500+ commercial foodservice equipment and supplies (E&S) manufacturers that provide products to support the food-away-from-home industry.
- National Restaurant Association (NRA)majorLeading business association for the restaurant industry in the U.S., representing nearly 500,000 restaurant businesses through advocacy, research, education and networking opportunities.
- Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA)supportingPromotes the advancement of restaurant facilities professionals through education, events and resources. Members gain access to innovations and proven techniques for efficient operations.
- Foodservice Equipment & Supplies (FE&S)supportingConnects equipment and supplies manufacturers and service providers with the full distribution channel including news, trends and best practices for foodservice equipment dealers, specifiers, operators and supply chain partners.
- Field ServicesupportingThree-day event bringing together service and customer success leaders from top brands across the country to explore innovation, strategy and practical solutions. Has served as a hub for executives for 20+ years.
- Food Equipment Reports (FER)supportingProvides industry insights, equipment trends, and product updates for foodservice professionals, connecting manufacturers, dealers and operators.
- HostMilanosupportingGlobal trade show for foodservice and hospitality innovation, held every two years in Milan. Brings together professionals from catering, coffee, bakery, gelato and design to showcase cutting-edge products and trends.
- Feeding AmericacoreNational food bank network. CFESA regional meetings include volunteer events with Feeding America as part of CFESA Cares community giving back initiatives.
- Ronald McDonald House CharitiescoreCharitable organization supported through CFESA regional meeting volunteer events as part of CFESA Cares initiatives strengthening bonds between the foodservice industry and communities served.
- ceda AcademymajorUK-based trade association for catering equipment engineers. Partnered with CFESA Young Professionals Committee on Global Voices podcast series featuring emerging leaders from both sides of the Atlantic.
- Middleby Innovation KitchensupportingHost venue for 2027 Young Professionals Symposium (April 21, 2027) at 2701 E State Hwy 121 Suite 600, Lewisville, TX 75056. Provides state-of-the-art kitchen facility for event.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM): Trade association representing 500+ commercial foodservice equipment manufacturers. Sits on the same side of the foodservice value chain as CFESA, with formally allied membership and shared end customers (operators and service companies).
- Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA): Trade association promoting advancement of restaurant facilities professionals. Operates an adjacent niche within foodservice operations with the same membership-driven association model and allied relationship to CFESA.
- Manufacturers' Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry (MAFSI): Nonprofit trade association of independent manufacturers' rep firms serving the foodservice equipment industry. Closely comparable membership-based model, allied organization relationship, and shared industry events with CFESA.
- Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association (FEDA): Trade association for distributors and dealers of foodservice equipment. Operates the same trade-association model as CFESA in an adjacent vertical slice of the foodservice equipment ecosystem with shared allied status and member overlap.
- Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI): Professional society for foodservice and hospitality design and management consultants. Comparable professional-association structure with member certification, allied status to CFESA, and overlapping foodservice end-market.
Others
- American Supply Association (ASA): Trade association for plumbing, heating, cooling, and piping distributors. Comparable regional-meeting and annual-conference-driven association model with membership dues, training programs, and an industry locator tool.
- American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE): Technical-professional association offering certifications, training, and continuing education to a specialized trade workforce. Comparable member-certification and training-facility operating model to CFESA, applied to a different skilled trade.
Regional players
- Catering Equipment Distributors Association (ceda): UK-based trade association for catering equipment engineers and distributors. Co-produced the Global Voices podcast with CFESA, serves as the closest international counterpart and offers a template for transatlantic certification reciprocity.
Broad incumbents
- National Restaurant Association: Largest U.S. restaurant industry trade association representing nearly 500,000 restaurant businesses. Operates the same membership model at vastly greater scale and acts as CFESA's primary end-customer constituency for the service locator.
- Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM): Large trade association representing off-road equipment manufacturers globally. Comparable association structure, training/standards programs, and advocacy model to CFESA but at significantly broader industrial scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America social profiles
Digital presenceCommercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America 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 Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America
What does Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America do?
CFESA is a nonprofit trade association that provides membership, five-year company and technician certifications, and technical training courses (gas, electric, steam, refrigeration, cooking equipment) to commercial foodservice equipment service professionals. It also runs an annual conference, regional meetings, a public service locator directory, and community/charitable programs that connect service agents, manufacturers, operators and vendors across the U.S. and Canada.
Is Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America a public or private company?
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America founded?
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America was founded in 1963. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America based?
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America is headquartered in Fort Mill, United States, in the North America region.
How does Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are training Courses, annual Conference, newsletter Advertising and sponsorships.
Who are Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM), Restaurant Facility Management Association (RFMA), Manufacturers' Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry (MAFSI), Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association (FEDA) and Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI). Others are American Supply Association (ASA) and American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). Catering Equipment Distributors Association (ceda) is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are National Restaurant Association and Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).
Does Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America have an API?
No public API is recorded for Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America.
What industry is Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America in?
Commercial Food Equipment Service Agencies of America's product category is Trade Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAKAL, Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks. Its NAICS code is 81392 and its SIC code is 8600.