Home-based commercial refrigerator dealer
Quote and sell fridges and freezers to restaurants and shops, with units shipped direct from a distributor.
- C$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
You act as a dealer or sales agent for commercial refrigeration units such as reach-in fridges, under-counter freezers, display cases and walk-in coolers. You find the customer, quote the right unit and arrange delivery from a wholesaler, distributor or manufacturer, so you hold little or no stock.
Your first three steps
- Contact two or three Canadian distributors or manufacturers about dealer or reseller accounts and ask about drop-ship terms
- Build a simple website or catalogue page with popular models, and list your service area
- Visit new restaurants, cafés and shops opening nearby and introduce yourself to owners, landlords and kitchen designers
Who pays
Restaurants, cafés, bakeries, convenience stores, small grocers, caterers and food trucks that are opening, expanding or replacing worn-out units.
How it makes money
You earn the margin between the distributor's price and your selling price, or a commission per sale. Larger orders for new openings and renovations bring bigger margins, and delivery or installation referrals can add extra.
Skills that help
- Sales and quoting
- Understanding commercial kitchen needs
- Organised follow-up with customers and suppliers
Watch out for
- Check that units are certified for sale in Canada (for example CSA or cUL marks) and meet federal energy efficiency rules; some US models may not qualify
- Installation and refrigerant work usually needs a certified refrigeration technician, so check your provincial rules and partner with a licensed installer
- Be clear on who handles warranty claims and damaged deliveries, and get it in writing from suppliers
- Register for GST/HST and check provincial sales tax once you pass the small supplier threshold
- Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence
- Ask an insurer about commercial general liability and product liability cover
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: home-based commercial refrigerator dealer
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a commercial refrigerator dealer business?
Estimated startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your quoting tools, insurance, and any samples or marketing. Because units ship direct from a distributor, you hold little or no stock.
How much can a commercial refrigerator dealer make in Canada?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many restaurants and shops you win and the size of the units you sell. Treat these as estimates, not guarantees.
What rules should I check before selling commercial refrigeration in Canada?
Check that units are certified for sale in Canada (such as CSA or cUL marks) and meet federal energy efficiency rules. Installation and refrigerant work usually needs a certified technician, so check your provincial rules. Also check GST/HST registration and home-based licence rules.
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