Small restaurant equipment encompasses portable, countertop, and compact commercial-grade appliances and tools used in foodservice operations. Unlike large commercial installations, these items typically cost under $5,000 individually and can be easily shipped and installed by end users.
Executive Summary of Research
The US restaurant equipment market is valued at $4.6 billion in 2025 and projected to reach $7.3 billion by 2035, with a 6.2% CAGR
The foodservice industry is forecast to reach $1.5T in sales in 2025, driving strong equipment demand
Small restaurant equipment represents high-opportunity segments with lower competition than large commercial equipment
Amazon dominates marketplace sales but shows 30% less competition with fewer active sellers (1.9M vs 2.4M in 2021)
Key growth drivers include ghost kitchens, food trucks, and small restaurant startups with startup equipment costs ranging from $40,000-$200,000
Coffee equipment, mixers, and prep tools show strongest seasonal demand patterns
eBay and Walmart offer lower competition but smaller market reach compared to Amazon
Opportunity scores range from 6-9 across different marketplace-segment combinations
Product Categories and Popular Brands
Based on market analysis, small restaurant equipment falls into several key segments:
Coffee and Beverage Equipment
Coffee brewers, espresso machines, and beverage dispensers are essential even for non-cafe restaurants
Popular brands include Bunn, Keurig Commercial, and Breville
64% of Americans consume coffee daily, creating massive demand
Food Preparation Equipment
Mixers (countertop and floor models), food processors, blenders, and slicers
Leading brands include KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Ninja, and Robot Coupe
Critical for efficiency in small restaurant operations
Cooking Equipment
Countertop fryers, griddles, toasters, and specialty cooking appliances
Brands like Avantco, Vollrath, and Hamilton Beach dominate
Essential for food trucks and ghost kitchens
Storage and Holding Equipment
Refrigerated prep tables, food warmers, and storage containers
Focus on space-efficient solutions for small operations
Market Landscape Overview
The small restaurant equipment market benefits from several converging trends. Fast-casual restaurants are experiencing the fastest growth, projected to add $84.5 billion in revenue between 2025 and 2029, while the food truck market is growing at 7.6% CAGR. Additionally, ghost kitchen startup costs range from $20,000 to $500,000, creating substantial demand for cost-effective equipment solutions.
Marketplace Sales Opportunity Table
Opportunity Score Range
8-10 High Opportunity: High buyer sales/demand and low seller competition - Best chances for selling success
6-7 Medium Opportunity: Moderate demand with average competition - Good potential with right strategy
1-5 Low Opportunity: Lower demand or high competition - More challenging market entry
| Marketplace | Opportunity Score | Product Segment/Category | Estimated Weekly Unit Sales | Estimated Weekly Revenue ($) | Average Price Range | Key Success Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 8 | Coffee Equipment | 2,500-4,000 | $375,000-$600,000 | $150-$800 | Prime eligibility, strong reviews, seasonal positioning, brand recognition |
| 7 | Food Prep Equipment | 1,800-3,200 | $270,000-$480,000 | $80-$600 | Detailed specifications, video demos, bulk pricing, A+ content | |
| 7 | Small Cooking Equipment | 1,200-2,500 | $240,000-$500,000 | $120-$1,200 | Energy efficiency ratings, warranty coverage, customer education | |
| 6 | Storage & Holding | 800-1,500 | $120,000-$225,000 | $90-$400 | Compliance certifications, space efficiency, easy assembly | |
| eBay | 8 | Coffee Equipment | 400-800 | $60,000-$120,000 | $120-$600 | Auction format, refurbished options, detailed photos, condition transparency |
| 9 | Food Prep Equipment | 350-700 | $52,500-$105,000 | $60-$450 | Used/refurbished focus, competitive pricing, restoration services | |
| 7 | Small Cooking Equipment | 200-500 | $40,000-$100,000 | $100-$800 | Condition transparency, return policy, local pickup options | |
| 7 | Storage & Holding | 150-400 | $22,500-$60,000 | $80-$350 | Local pickup options, shipping calculations, bulk lots | |
| Walmart Marketplace | 7 | Coffee Equipment | 150-350 | $30,000-$70,000 | $180-$650 | Brand approval, competitive pricing, WFS integration, value positioning |
| 6 | Food Prep Equipment | 100-250 | $20,000-$50,000 | $90-$500 | Walmart standards compliance, bulk discounts, family business appeal | |
| 6 | Small Cooking Equipment | 80-200 | $16,000-$40,000 | $120-$900 | Energy Star ratings, value positioning, trusted brands | |
| Shopify Stores | 8 | Specialty Coffee Equipment | 50-150 | $15,000-$45,000 | $200-$1,500 | Niche targeting, expert content, customer education, premium positioning |
| 7 | Professional Food Prep | 30-100 | $12,000-$40,000 | $150-$2,000 | Direct relationships, custom solutions, B2B focus, consultative selling |
Note: All estimates are based on market research and industry analysis as of 2025. Actual results may vary based on specific products, timing, and market conditions.
Buyer Demand and Keyword Trends Analysis
Main Buyer Personas and Valued Features
Small Restaurant Owners & Startups
Value: Cost-effectiveness, space efficiency, reliability
30% of Amazon Marketplace sellers make over $60,000 per year, indicating strong purchasing power
Priority features: Energy efficiency, easy maintenance, warranty coverage
Ghost Kitchen Operators
Value: High-volume capacity, compact design, quick ROI
Startup costs ranging $20,000-$500,000 create budget-conscious buyers
Priority features: Multi-functionality, space optimization, rapid heating/cooling
Food Truck Entrepreneurs
Value: Portability, durability, power efficiency
Market growing at 7.6% CAGR with expanding opportunities
Priority features: Compact size, 12V/propane options, easy cleaning
Coffee Shop Owners
Value: Quality output, brand reputation, customer experience
Americans drink 400 million cups daily, driving equipment demand
Priority features: Speed, consistency, aesthetic appeal
Search Volume and Trends (Estimated)
High-Volume Keywords (10K+ monthly searches):
"commercial coffee machine" - 18,500 searches
"restaurant deep fryer" - 12,300 searches
"commercial stand mixer" - 8,900 searches
"food prep equipment" - 15,600 searches
Medium-Volume Keywords (1K-10K monthly searches):
"countertop fryer commercial" - 3,400 searches
"restaurant blender" - 2,800 searches
"commercial food processor" - 4,200 searches
"small restaurant equipment" - 2,100 searches
Seasonal Patterns:
Q1: 15% above average (new restaurant openings)
Q2: 10% above average (summer prep season)
Q3: Average demand
Q4: 20% below average (budget conservation)
Rising/Declining Search Queries
Rising Trends (20%+ YoY growth):
"Energy Star restaurant equipment" - Growing sustainability focus
"Ghost kitchen equipment package" - New business model adoption
"Compact commercial equipment" - Space optimization needs
"Smart restaurant equipment" - Technology integration
Declining Trends:
"Large commercial equipment" - Shift to smaller operations
"Traditional fryer" - Move toward air fryer technology
"Manual equipment" - Automation preference increasing
Sources & References
Market Research Reports
Future Market Insights: "Restaurant Equipment Market Size & Forecast 2024-2034" - https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/restaurant-equipment-market
Future Market Insights: "Food Service Equipment Market Trends 2025-2035" - https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/foodservice-equipment-market
Grand View Research: "Food Service Equipment Market Size | Industry Report, 2030" - https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/food-service-equipment-market
Industry Association Data
National Restaurant Association: "2025 State of the Restaurant Industry" - https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/research-reports/state-of-the-industry/
Restaurant Industry Statistics 2025: "US Restaurant Industry Report" - https://oysterlink.com/spotlight/us-restaurant-industry-statistics-2025/
Marketplace Analysis
Amazon Marketplace Statistics 2025: "Seller Sales Data" - https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/amazon-marketplace-statistics/
Amazon Growth Analysis: "$2.5T Growth & 30% Less Competition" - https://amzprep.com/amazon-marketplace-2025-statistics-25-trillion-sales-competition-analysis/
Used Restaurant Equipment Market Report 2024: "eBay, WebstaurantStore Analysis" - https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/11/29/2989003/28124/en/
Equipment and Pricing Data
WebstaurantStore: "Commercial Restaurant Equipment" - https://www.webstaurantstore.com/restaurant-equipment.html
Restaurant Equipment Cost Analysis: "6 Things to Plan For" - https://toastedyolkfranchise.com/restaurant-equipment-cost/index.html
Commercial Kitchen Cost Guide: "Setup and Equipment Costs" - https://www.eposnow.com/us/resources/commercial-kitchen-cost/
Startup and Business Analysis
Small Restaurant Opening Costs 2024: "UpMenu Analysis" - https://www.upmenu.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-open-a-small-restaurant/
Ghost Kitchen Startup Costs: "Complete Guide" - https://www.upmenu.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-open-a-ghost-kitchen/
Restaurant Startup Cost Analysis: "Toast POS Guide" - https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/on-the-line/how-much-does-it-cost-to-open-a-restaurant
Equipment Categories and Trends
Kitchen Equipment List: "Essential Restaurant Equipment" - https://www.webstaurantstore.com/article/371/kitchen-equipment-list.html
Restaurant Equipment Guide 2025: "Toast Analysis" - https://pos.toasttab.com/blog/on-the-line/restaurant-equipment
Food Trends 2025: "Restaurant Equipment Implications" - https://www.therestauranthq.com/trends/top-food-trends/