Foodservice Equipment Sales Hold to Slow-Growth Pattern

Sales in the foodservice equipment and supplies industry remained muted in the second quarter of 2026, growing just 2%, according to the latest Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry (MAFSI) Business Barometer.

Overall sales actually beat the 1.5% growth MAFSI previously projected for Q2 2026, but the result marked the 12th consecutive quarter in which sales failed to exceed 2.4% growth or decline by more than 1%. Those consistent results are likely being depressed by external economic factors. MAFSI pointed to the challenges faced by Main Street restaurants, such as vegetable contamination, the impact of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, changing food trends, high fuel prices, and overall inflation. To counteract those forces, MAFSI noted that restaurants are shortening operating hours and reducing menu options.

Those factors appear to be affecting operator investments. MAFSI’s SpecPath tracked 11% fewer construction projects in Q2 (785) than in Q1 (880). Year-over-year data show a similar 12% decline, with the number of construction projects falling from 3,698 to 3,272 over the past 12 months. Quoting activity has also slowed from 44% growth last quarter to 33% in Q2, while the growth rate of consulting activity declined by 6%.

By product category, sales in furniture was strongest at 5.2% growth. That was followed by supplies (3%), equipment (1.8%), and tabletop (0.6%).

Although Q2 fell within the same steady but slow-growth range of the past three years, MAFSI representatives appear more positive about Q3. The association is forecasting 2.7% growth for next quarter and believes yearly sales could rise by 4.3% compared with 2025.

The full MAFSI Business Barometer for Q2 2026 is available here.