The Wasserstrom Company
An American family-owned distributor and manufacturer of foodservice equipment, supplies, and commercial kitchen solutions.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Wasserstrom Company is an American foodservice-equipment distributor and manufacturer headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1902 by Nathan Wasserstrom, the company developed from a small peddling and local-supply operation into a national supplier serving restaurants, hospitality businesses, healthcare organizations, grocery and convenience operators, educational institutions, and other commercial customers. Its product range spans commercial kitchen equipment, smallwares, disposables, stainless-steel products, millwork, seating, and related operating supplies. Wasserstrom combines distribution with project-oriented services. In addition to supplying individual products, the company supports multi-unit restaurant chains and other institutional customers through kitchen design, consultative planning, project management, and account services. This combination gives the business a role in both routine procurement and the development, renovation, and outfitting of commercial foodservice facilities. The company’s history is closely associated with the Wasserstrom family. Nathan Wasserstrom began as a pack peddler and expanded into supplying wares to local businesses. Following the repeal of Prohibition, the operation was reorganized in 1934 as N. Wasserstrom & Sons Fixture and Supply Company. Over the following decades, the business broadened its distribution and manufacturing activities and built capabilities aimed at national accounts. Manufacturing operations associated with the N. Wasserstrom name produce items including stainless-steel equipment, millwork, and seating through affiliated facilities. A significant facilities milestone came in 2016, when the company purchased a 50,572-square-foot office building at 4500 E. Broad Street in Whitehall, within the Columbus area, for use as its future headquarters. Staff relocation took place during 2017 and 2018. Company materials in the early 2020s described a workforce of more than 1,200 associates. Wasserstrom has also been recognized by Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine, receiving Dealer of the Year awards in 1983, 2002, 2014, and 2024, as well as induction into the magazine’s Hall of Fame in 2008. It has additionally received supplier awards from International Dairy Queen and YUM! Brands in 2024 and 2025. The company remains a privately held, family-owned participant in the United States foodservice-supply market. Its scale, broad product assortment, manufacturing links, and project services position it as a business-to-business partner rather than a consumer-facing retail brand. In 2025, local reporting discussed the effect of tariffs on the company’s supply chain and pricing. In January 2026, the company was reported to have acquired Breckenridge Kitchen Equipment & Design, extending its presence in kitchen-equipment and design services.
History
The Wasserstrom Company traces its origins to 1902, when Nathan Wasserstrom began building a business from his work as a pack peddler. He expanded beyond itinerant selling into the supply of wares for local businesses, establishing the foundation for a company focused on commercial customers rather than household consumers. A major organizational change followed the repeal of Prohibition. In 1934, the operation was reorganized as N. Wasserstrom & Sons Fixture and Supply Company. The revised structure reflected the company’s growing involvement in supplying fixtures and equipment to businesses. Over the ensuing decades, Wasserstrom expanded its distribution activities and developed manufacturing capabilities, allowing it to serve larger and increasingly national customer accounts. The company’s modern operating model combines product distribution with specialized services. Its distribution business supplies commercial foodservice equipment, smallwares, disposables, and related products to restaurants, hospitality companies, healthcare institutions, grocery and convenience businesses, schools, and other commercial operators. For large or complex customers, Wasserstrom also offers consultative support, kitchen design, and project management. These services allow the company to participate in new construction, remodels, conversions, and multi-location procurement programs. Manufacturing activities operate under the N. Wasserstrom umbrella and through affiliated plants. The manufacturing portfolio includes stainless-steel products, millwork, and seating. Reported locations include Columbus, Ohio; Peoria, Arizona, associated with Designer Choice Stainless; and Fountain Inn, South Carolina, associated with Gen III. Together, distribution and manufacturing give Wasserstrom a broader role in the foodservice-equipment value chain than a conventional wholesale supplier. The business consolidated its headquarters in the Columbus area during the late 2010s. In 2016, it purchased a 50,572-square-foot office building at 4500 E. Broad Street in Whitehall for future headquarters use. Personnel moved into the facility during 2017 and 2018. By the early 2020s, company materials described a workforce of more than 1,200 associates. The company has also held Better Business Bureau accreditation with an A+ rating, according to the referenced material. Wasserstrom’s industry profile has been reinforced by trade recognition. Foodservice Equipment & Supplies named it Dealer of the Year in 1983, 2002, 2014, and 2024, and inducted the company into its Hall of Fame in 2008. Supplier awards from International Dairy Queen and YUM! Brands were reported for 2024 and 2025. In 2025, local coverage focused on the effect of tariffs on the company’s supply chain and pricing. In January 2026, Wasserstrom was reported to have acquired Breckenridge Kitchen Equipment & Design. The transaction indicates continued expansion around commercial kitchen equipment and design services. Wasserstrom remains an active, privately held, family-owned American business serving institutional and commercial foodservice markets.
- 2026
Acquisition of Breckenridge Kitchen Equipment & Design
[1]The Wasserstrom Company was reported to have acquired Breckenridge Kitchen Equipment & Design.
- 2025
Supplier recognition and tariff-related supply-chain pressure
[1]Supplier awards were reported from International Dairy Queen and YUM! Brands, while local coverage discussed tariff effects on sourcing and pricing.
- 2024
Dealer of the Year and supplier recognition
[1]Wasserstrom received another Dealer of the Year award and was recognized as a supplier by International Dairy Queen and YUM! Brands.
- 2017
Headquarters relocation began
[1]Staff relocation to the new headquarters facility began during the 2017–2018 period.
- 2016
Future headquarters property acquired
[1]The company purchased a 50,572-square-foot office building on East Broad Street in the Columbus area for future headquarters use.
- 2008
Inducted into the Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Hall of Fame
[1]The company received Hall of Fame recognition from Foodservice Equipment & Supplies.
- 2002
Dealer of the Year recognition
[1]Foodservice Equipment & Supplies again named Wasserstrom Dealer of the Year.
- 1983
First listed Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Dealer of the Year award
[1]Wasserstrom received its first cited Dealer of the Year recognition from Foodservice Equipment & Supplies.
- 1934
Reorganization as N. Wasserstrom & Sons Fixture and Supply Company
[1]Following the repeal of Prohibition, the business was reorganized under the N. Wasserstrom & Sons Fixture and Supply Company name.
- 1902
Company founded
[1]Nathan Wasserstrom founded the business after beginning as a pack peddler and expanding into supplying wares to local businesses.
Products and positioning
A family-owned, full-service foodservice supplier combining national distribution, manufacturing, kitchen design, and project management for commercial and institutional operators.
Commercial kitchen equipment
Commercial foodservice equipment
Wasserstrom distributes equipment used in restaurant, hospitality, healthcare, institutional, grocery, convenience, and educational foodservice operations. Its role includes supplying equipment for both everyday operations and larger kitchen installation projects.
Foodservice supplies
Foodservice smallwares
The company supplies smallwares and operating items used by commercial kitchens and foodservice staff. These products complement major equipment and support routine preparation, service, and facility operations.
Consumable supplies
Disposable foodservice supplies
Wasserstrom distributes disposable products for commercial foodservice settings, including supplies needed for service and day-to-day operations across restaurant and institutional customers.
Manufactured stainless-steel products
Designer Choice Stainless
Designer Choice Stainless is associated with Wasserstrom’s manufacturing activities in Peoria, Arizona. The operation forms part of the company’s stainless-steel and custom commercial foodservice manufacturing capability.
Manufactured foodservice products
Gen III
Gen III is associated with Wasserstrom’s manufacturing presence in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. The facility forms part of the broader N. Wasserstrom manufacturing network, which includes stainless, millwork, and seating products.
Professional foodservice services
Kitchen design and project management
Beyond product distribution, Wasserstrom provides consultative kitchen design and project-management services, particularly for national and multi-unit accounts. These services support planning, outfitting, renovation, and implementation of commercial foodservice facilities.
Brand decisions
2026
Acquisition of Breckenridge Kitchen Equipment & DesignM&ABackground
The transaction occurred within Wasserstrom’s commercial kitchen-equipment and design-services activities.
Action taken
The Wasserstrom Company acquired Breckenridge Kitchen Equipment & Design.
Aftermath
The reported acquisition broadened Wasserstrom’s stated equipment and design platform, although transaction terms and integration details were not provided.
2016
Purchase of a future headquarters facilityStrategyBackground
The company needed a larger or consolidated headquarters presence as its distribution, manufacturing, and national-account operations developed.
Action taken
Wasserstrom purchased a 50,572-square-foot office building at 4500 E. Broad Street in the Columbus area.
Aftermath
Staff relocation to the facility took place during 2017 and 2018, establishing the company’s reported corporate headquarters.
Sources1 sources
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