Equipment Sales Rose at Close of 2025, But MAFSI Warns Outside Factors Could Cause Slowdown

Foodservice equipment sales grew 2.4% in Q4 2025, outperforming the 1.7% growth projected by the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry (MAFSI) Business Barometer.

It was the third consecutive quarter of modest improvement and may indicate that sales will continue to rise. MAFSI is forecasting a 3.5% sales growth for Q1 2026. However, it warned that real-world factors may interfere. The association noted that there is talk among manufacturers that 2026 is experiencing a sluggish start and that the snowy winter could affect the restaurant and travel industries. Factors to watch include the impacts of tariffs, inflationary drivers, Middle East tensions, wage pressures on the restaurant industry, and the growth in meal delivery at the expense of the fast-casual and dining segments.

Those elements could already be affecting business activity and expectations. According to MAFSI’s SpecPath data, the number of projects declined 7.4%, from 3,718 in 2024 to 3,444 in 2025. Year over year, the number of projects was down 13.4%, falling from 908 in Q4 2024 to 783 in Q4 2025.

The full MAFSI Business Barometer for Q4 2025 is available here.