Based on the History or Empire Cooler, we trusted Refrigeration Experts
Empire Cooler was founded on relationship driven solutions to the Hospitality and Foodservice Industry. This story is based on providing certified used equipment at a great value to the end user(you). We built a better way to serve the used equipment market and supported by the History of Empire Cooler.
Our story
Empire Cooler started with a simple observation: too many restaurants and food service operators were buying refrigeration equipment that looked right on paper but failed health inspections, drove up energy bills, or broke down under real commercial workloads. The problem wasn't the operators — it was a supply chain that prioritized margin over certification.
We set out to fix that. Every unit in our catalog has been independently tested and certified — NSF for food safety, ENERGY STAR for efficiency, UL or ETL for electrical safety. We don't carry anything we wouldn't put in our own kitchen. And because we work directly with manufacturers, we can offer certified equipment at prices that make sense for independent operators, not just large chains.
Today, Empire Cooler serves restaurants, hotels, catering operations, commissaries, and food service businesses of every size across the United States. Our team brings decades of combined experience in commercial refrigeration, food service equipment, and kitchen design — and we put that expertise to work for every customer who calls us for a quote.
What we stand for
Four principles that guide every decision we make.
Certification first
We only carry equipment that has been independently tested and certified. No exceptions. If it's not certified, it's not in our catalog.
Honest guidance
We'll tell you what you actually need — not the most expensive unit we carry. Our goal is a long-term relationship, not a one-time sale.
Operators first
We built Empire Cooler for independent operators, not just large chains. Our pricing, service, and support reflect that.
Speed matters
Downtime costs money. We keep the most in-demand units in stock and move fast — because your kitchen can't wait.
Ready to spec your next unit?
Talk to our team — we'll match you with the right certified equipment for your kitchen, volume, and budget.