How a Chicago Food Equipment Supplier Earned National Growth Honors

2026-08-14 companies

Chicago, Thursday, 13 August 2026.
CES Family of Companies ranked No. 1,353 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, driven by a 261% revenue surge following eight strategic acquisitions across the commercial foodservice sector.

Inc. 5000 Recognition Marks Milestone for CES Family of Companies

Chicago-based CES Family of Companies has been officially named to the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, which honors America’s fastest-growing private companies [1]. The announcement was made on 13 August 2026, confirming the company’s position at rank No. 1,353 among the fastest-growing private companies in the United States [1]. This recognition reflects a broader economic trend of sustained capital investment within the commercial food service and hospitality industries [1]. The company celebrated the achievement across social media platforms on 12 August 2026, prior to the formal press release [5].

Revenue Growth and Operational Scale

CES achieved a 261% revenue growth rate over the three-year period between 2022 and 2025 [1]. This growth trajectory qualifies the organization for the 2026 Inc. 5000 honorees, who collectively generated $385 billion in revenue in 2025 [1]. The organization, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, now comprises eleven brands [1]. These brands include CES Nationwide, Dubick Fixture and Supply, and Total Restaurant Supply, among others [3]. The growth indicates a robust demand for food equipment and supply chain solutions in the Midwest and beyond [3].

Strategic Acquisitions Drive Expansion

CES Family of Companies officially announced the acquisition of Southeast Mechanical on 12 August 2026, in Rochester, Minnesota [2]. The acquisition deal closed on 24 July 2026, and was formally announced to Southeast Mechanical staff at their headquarters in Chatfield, Minnesota [2]. Southeast Mechanical, a service provider for foodservice equipment installation and repair, will continue operating under its existing brand name [2]. This deal marks CES’s eighth acquisition since 2023 as the company continues to expand its capabilities [4]. The strategy focuses on regional leadership by integrating equipment offerings with service and installation capabilities [2].

Corporate Structure and Ownership

CES is a portfolio company of Cooper Management, LLC, a family office for the Cooper Family of Chicago, Illinois [1]. Cooper Management, LLC has facilitated business growth across various industries for over 40 years [1]. Tyler Jeffrey, CEO of CES, stated that the growth comes from finding great, independent businesses and bringing them into a bigger platform [1]. The expanded CES family of companies now comprises 11 entities including Southeast Mechanical and Windrock Enterprises [2]. This structure allows for centralized resources while maintaining local brand identities [6].

Sources

Inc. 5000 Private Growth