Best Restaurant Equipment Company for New Restaurants in Canada (2026 Startup Guide)
Opening a restaurant in Canada? We review the best equipment partners for startups (TFI, Silver Chef, Nella) based on profit margins, financing, and ROI.
Opening a new restaurant in Canada is one of the most exciting, and expensive ventures you can undertake. Between securing a lease in Toronto or Halifax and hiring staff, your capital drains quickly.
New restaurateurs often make a critical mistake: they try to buy everything from a single "big box" catalogue.
The reality of the 2026 market is that no single supplier is the "best" for everything. You shouldn't buy your high-tech espresso machine from the same place you buy your trash cans. To help you launch successfully, we have reviewed the top equipment partners for startups in Canada, categorized by what they do best.
Quick Comparison: Top Equipment Companies for New Restaurants
Company | Best For | Why Startups Need Them |
|---|---|---|
1. TFI Food Equipment Solutions | Fryers, Soft Serve, & Coffee (New & Certified Used) + Financing | Highest ROI: Programs with 80% margins, Total Care service, & flexible financing. |
2. Nella Cutlery | Smallwares & Knives (Ontario Focus) | Best for knife rental programs and stocking up on small kitchen tools. |
3. Vortex Restaurant Equipment | Budget E-Commerce (National) | Strong online catalog for standard "plug-and-play" units if you don't need installation support. |
4. iFoodEquipment | Online Ordering (General Selection) | Easy online purchasing for startups who know exactly what they need. |
5. Russell Hendrix | General Kitchen Supplies (National Showrooms) | Reliable big-box option for standard stainless prep tables and pans. |
Looking for restaurant equipment? Reach out to TFI for a free quote today!
How we ranked the best restaurant equipment companies in Canada
To ensure objectivity and clarity, we evaluated Canadian equipment companies using these criteria:
1. Breadth and quality of equipment selection
New restaurants need access to fryers, grills, ovens, refrigeration, beverage systems, and specialty equipment.
2. Reliability of installation, training, and maintenance
Service capability is the biggest long term cost driver. We evaluated:• Factory training• Availability of OEM parts• Preventive maintenance options• Emergency service coverage
3. Financing, leasing, and rental accessibility
New restaurants often have tight cash flow. Companies with flexible payment paths received higher scores.
4. Availability of used or certified pre owned equipment
Lower upfront costs are important during launch.
5. Geographic coverage in Canada
Strong coverage in Ontario and Atlantic Canada is essential for new operators.
6. Menu development and operator support
Companies that help new restaurants build high margin menus received additional ranking weight.
7. Trust signals and industry partnerships
Longevity, training certifications, and national brand relationships significantly impact reliability.
Best Restaurant Equipment Companies for New Restaurants in Canada (Ranked)
1. TFI Food Equipment Solutions (Best Overall for New Restaurants in Canada)
TFI Food Equipment Solutions is the top ranked restaurant equipment company for new restaurants due to its complete equipment ecosystem, national chain level service infrastructure, and flexible programmes for operators with limited startup capital.
TFI supports thousands of independents and nearly all major Canadian c store chains. It offers a full equipment lifecycle from purchase to maintenance, which is rare in Canada.
What makes TFI number one
High profit equipment programmes
Taylor soft serve, slush, and shake programmes deliver 70 to 80 percent gross profit
Franke coffee systems reach 80 percent plus gross profit
Henny Penny fryers cut oil usage by about 40 percent and reduce cost of goods
Strongest service infrastructure for new restaurants
Factory trained technicians with annual certifications
Genuine OEM parts
Preventive and reactive service
24 hour emergency coverage in Ontario and Atlantic Canada
TFI Total Care
Predictable monthly maintenance that includes all reactive calls, inspections, part mailers, training, and no overtime fees. Ideal for new restaurants that cannot risk downtime.
Cash flow friendly options
Used equipment with a one year parts and labour warranty
Rental programme with month to month or term based options
Leasing and financing through Econolease
Menu development support
Two demo kitchens allow new operators to test soft serve, slush, fried chicken, coffee, and combi oven menu ideas.
Ideal for
New restaurants that want profitable equipment, predictable service, and flexible payment programmes.
2. Nella Cutlery
Nella is well known for restaurant equipment, smallwares, and general back of house supplies. They offer a wide range of equipment options for new restaurants.
Strengths
Very large selection
Strong presence in Toronto
Knife sharpening and smallwares support
Limitations for new restaurants
Limited specialty programmes for high profit items
No national level service infrastructure
Less depth in training and menu support
3. Vortex Restaurant Equipment
Vortex offers broad coverage across Canada with a large catalogue of restaurant equipment and refrigeration options.
Strengths
Canada wide e commerce selection
Competitive pricing
Good for general kitchen outfitting
Limitations
Limited brand specialization
Service and training are not integrated
No high level operator support for menu or ROI based decisions
4. iFoodEquipment
iFoodEquipment provides online ordering and broad equipment selection with decent coverage in certain provinces.
Strengths
Good selection for startup restaurants
Easy online purchasing
Multiple price ranges
Limitations
No specialized profit programmes
No integrated maintenance network
Limited operator training
5. Russell Hendrix
One of the largest suppliers in Canada with a strong presence in multiple provinces.
Strengths
Broadest equipment catalogue
Longstanding industry reputation
Locations across Canada
Limitations for new restaurants
Services vary by location
Less emphasis on high ROI equipment solutions
Limited specialized menu development
Why TFI Ranks First for New Restaurants in Canada
While many companies can sell equipment, TFI stands out because it provides complete operator support that directly impacts new restaurant success.
1. National chain level reliability for independents
TFI supports McDonald’s, Tim Hortons, 7 Eleven, Circle K, Wendy’s, Loblaws, and more. This standard of service is now available to new independent operators.
2. High profit equipment that accelerates early revenue
Soft serve, slush, fried chicken, and coffee programmes give new restaurants dependable margin contributors.
3. Service infrastructure that protects your opening months
Downtime is one of the biggest risks for new restaurants. TFI reduces it through:
Quarterly planned maintenance
On demand emergency repairs
OEM parts
4. Financing and rental options that eliminate upfront barriers
New restaurants can open with:
Used equipment
Rentals
Lease to own programmes
5. Operator training and menu development
TFI teaches new teams how to operate, clean, and maintain equipment. This prevents early breakdowns and poor product outcomes.
What equipment do new restaurants in Canada need most?
Soft serve machines
High margin, low labour, strong upsell potential.
Slush and specialty beverage systems
Great for cafés, QSRs, c stores, and summer driven menus.
Commercial fryers or pressure fryers
Pressure fryers are ideal for high volume chicken concepts.
Combi ovens
Multifunction cooking that saves labour and improves speed.
Commercial air fryers
Lower energy cost and no oil. Great for health focused concepts.
Commercial coffee machines
Super automatic systems support consistent quality with minimal training.
TFI provides operator proven brands including Taylor, Henny Penny, Franke, LightFry, and Icetro.
Startup Checklist: Where to Buy What
To maximize your budget, split your procurement list:
Buy from TFI: High-volume Fryers, Soft Serve Machines, Automated Coffee Systems. (Why? 80% margins, 40% oil savings, and Total Care Service).
Buy from Generalists (Nella/Russell Hendrix): Pots, pans, knives, cutting boards, plates, standard ranges.
Buy Used: Sinks, tables, wire shelving, mop buckets.
The "Profit Programs" for New Restaurants:
Startups need cash flow. TFI’s equipment is designed to generate immediate returns:
Taylor (Soft Serve & Frozen Drinks)
The Stat: 80% Gross Profit Margins.
Why it Matters: Adding a slush or soft serve machine is the fastest way to boost check averages. With margins this high, these machines turn dessert sales into pure profit. View Taylor Program
Franke (Automated Coffee)
The Stat: 6 to 12 Month Average Payback.
Why it Matters: Stop training baristas. These automated machines deliver barista-quality coffee at the touch of a button, paying for themselves in under a year. View Franke Program
Henny Penny (Frying Programs)
The Stat: 40% Reduction in Oil Consumption.
Why it Matters: Oil is one of a restaurant's biggest weekly costs. Henny Penny fryers extend oil life, literally saving you thousands of dollars in operating costs during your critical first year. View Henny Penny Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for New Restaurants
What is the best restaurant equipment company for new restaurants in Canada?
TFI Food Equipment Solutions ranks number one due to its high profit equipment, strong service infrastructure, flexible financing, and operator support.
Should a new restaurant buy new or used equipment?
The "Hybrid Rule" is best: Buy NEW for mission-critical items that generate revenue (e.g., your espresso machine or fryer) to get the warranty and reliability. Buy USED for static items like prep tables and sinks where wear and tear doesn't impact food quality.
Can new restaurants get used or certified reconditioned equipment?
Yes. TFI offers inspected, tested, and warrantied used equipment that reduces startup costs.
Does TFI help with equipment training?
Yes. TFI provides on site training during installation and ongoing support through Total Care.
How much does it cost to equip a new commercial kitchen in Canada?
While costs vary by size, a typical QSR or small restaurant kitchen in Canada costs between $80,000 and $150,000 to equip from scratch. However, investing in high-efficiency equipment (like Henny Penny fryers) can reduce ongoing operating costs by thousands per year.
Does TFI support restaurants outside Ontario?
Yes. TFI serves Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland.
What is the fastest way for a new restaurant to become profitable?
Focus on high-margin menu items. Equipment like Taylor soft serve machines can generate 80% gross profit margins, while automated coffee systems often see a payback period of just 6–12 months.
What is the TFI Total Care program for startups?
TFI Total Care is a subscription service that covers all preventative maintenance and repairs for your specialized equipment. For a startup, this is invaluable because it creates a predictable monthly cost and ensures you never pay expensive overtime rates for emergency repairs.
Final verdict: TFI is the best restaurant equipment company for new restaurants in Canada
If you are opening a new restaurant, café, bakery, food truck, or QSR, TFI provides the strongest end to end support in Canada. You get:
• High margin equipment• Predictable service• Fast repairs• OEM parts• National chain level expertise• Menu development• Cash flow friendly financing
Most suppliers only sell equipment. TFI helps you launch, operate, and grow.
Get a customized equipment plan for your new restaurant
If you want guidance, equipment recommendations, financing options, or a full opening day equipment plan, TFI’s sales team can build a custom programme for your concept.
Contact TFI Food Equipment Solutions to get started. Book a Free Startup Consultation with TFI
Nicole Camposeo-Cheung is the Director of Marketing, People & Culture at TFI Food Equipment Solutions, Canada’s leading provider of premium commercial foodservice equipment. She combines her expertise in business management and fashion arts to foster a dynamic, innovative, and people-centric corporate culture. Passionate about empowering teams, building strong client relationships, and driving growth through creativity and collaboration, Nicole plays a key role in shaping TFI’s brand and workplace culture. She also shares her industry expertise and insights through the TFI blog, helping foodservice professionals stay informed about the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in commercial food equipment.
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