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Insights & Innovations
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Commercial Kitchen?
Circle of Flow: A Simple Framework for Kitchen Efficiency
AI Can Design a Commercial Kitchen. It Can’t Build One.
What It Actually Takes to Build a Commercial Kitchen
Top 5 Walk-In Cooler Spec Mistakes Every Commercial Kitchen Should Avoid
Roles & Responsibilities in Commercial Kitchen Design/Build
FS1 vs. MEP: What You Need to Know Before Breaking Ground
Gaylord Ventilation: The Hood for Every Kitchen
Our Engineers’ First Step on Every Kitchen Project
What Owners Wish They’d Known Before Finalizing Their Design
Inside Continental Refrigerator: Key Design Insights
Boost Your BOH Speed with Smarter Kitchen Practices
How to Choose Commercial Patio Furniture for Restaurants
How to Replace Traditional Cook Lines with Two Cooking Systems
Designing the Bartender‑Centered Bar
Smart Equipment for Efficiency & Consistency in Commercial Kitchens
Designing Smarter Kitchens with Turbofan Convection Ovens
Commercial Kitchen Essentials Start With the Menu
Portion Control and Its Impact on Kitchen Efficiency
Designing Restaurant Aesthetics That Feel Intentional
How to Choose the Best Location for Your Restaurant
Choosing the Right Disposer and Collector Systems for Commercial Kitchens
Smarter Menu Sourcing & Kitchen Logistics
Why High-Volume Kitchens Choose Cres Cor QuikTherm
Smarter Kitchens with the Vulcan Chef’s Combi
How Restaurants Can Celebrate Friendsgiving and Boost Seasonal Traffic
Why More C-Stores Are Turning to Electric Kitchens
Commercial Refrigeration Through the Years: A Timeline of Innovation
Restaurant Floor Plan Design: What to Know Before You Start
Rethinking Gas Safety in Commercial Kitchens
Going Green with Electric Kitchens: Powering Net-Zero Buildings
Menu Planning and Health Codes: Key Considerations for Operators
Working With a Foodservice Design Team: Step-by-Step Guide
A2L Refrigerants: What They Are and Why They Matter
Designing Bars for THC-Infused Drinks & Mocktails
Design-Build vs. Traditional Construction: What’s Better for Foodservice?
Efficiency and Savings in Commercial Refrigeration
Inspiring Bakery Design and Bakeshop Layout Ideas
Efficient Bid Process for Foodservice Equipment Across Industries
Why Early Design Involvement Prevents Costly Construction Delays
Future-Ready Commercial Kitchens: What to Consider Now
Common Commercial Kitchen Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
What Is a Ghost Kitchen & How to Start One Successfully
Writing a Successful Restaurant Business Plan
What is CFSP Certification and Why Does it Matter?
Small Coffee Shop Design Ideas That Maximize Space and Attract Customers
Upgrading Your Menu? Make Sure Your Kitchen Is Ready
Designing a Patio That Works for Your Restaurant or Bar
Maximize Your Small Pizza Kitchen Design
What’s New from Atosa: Innovations We Saw at NRA 2025
MOD Suite by Vulcan: Built for Efficiency
Turbo Air Named Commercial Refrigeration Company of the Year
Griddle Plate Comparison: Chrome or Steel?
The Foodservice Design Podcast: Standards, Trends & Innovation
Magnetic Cooling: A New Future for Heating and Refrigeration
Cantilevered Shelving for Foodservice Operations
Wine and Liquor Storage Solutions for Bars
Innovative Robotic Beverage Dispensing System | Krowne’s Otto
Plan Your Catering Kitchen Design: What You Need to Know
Choosing the Right Commercial Kitchen Layout
Revolutionizing Milk Dispensing in Schools: The Udderly Cold System
NAFEM 2025: Insights and Innovations from Rapids Team
Designing the Ideal Educational Kitchen for Schools and Colleges
Rational Cooking Live: Exploring the Versatility of the iVario Pro
How to Improve Bar Efficiency for Faster Service
Integration of Digital Kitchen Management Systems
Safe Food Prep Tools for Young Workers
NAKS: Comprehensive Ventilation and Custom Fabrication Solutions
Innovating Draft Beer Management with Perlick
Key Design Considerations for Foodservice Spaces
Key Phases of Commercial Kitchen Design
Why Choose Krowne for Your Bar & Grill Equipment?
Innovations in Kitchen Ventilation with Accurex
IDDSI-Ready Solutions for Foodservice Design with Sammic
Enhancing Safety and Efficiency with Drain Water Tempering Kits
Water Filtration Systems for Food Service from M2 / Solventum
Why Choose FWE: Reliable, High-Quality, and Versatile Solutions
Palmer Hamilton: Innovative and Flexible Furniture Solutions
Crafting Customized Commercial Kitchens with Rapids
Discover Alto-Shaam: Leading the Way in Advanced Cooking Solutions
Which Kind of Ice is Right for Your Business?
ColdZone: Innovating for the Future
Understanding the EPA’s AIM Act: Impact on the Foodservice Industry
Ensuring Compliance and Efficiency: Navigating Codes, Regulations, and Technology in Kitchen Design
Sizing Mixers Appropriately
From Vision to Reality: Designing a Tailored Commercial Kitchen
The Rise of Automation in Commercial Food Service Spaces
An Innovative Solution | Feeding Students During a School Year Kitchen Renovation
Centerline Door-Type Dishwashers by Hobart
Blast Chillers from American Panel
Increase Profits with Alcohol To-Go
Blodgett Combi Oven Advantages | Universal Line
Simplify Contactless Pickup with Carter-Hoffmann PUC Smart Order Carry-Out Cabinets
Benefits of Installing an Air Purification System
Preventing Frost & Moisture Buildup In Walk-In Freezers
The Benefits of Sous Vide in Your BOH Setup
Contactless Foodservice Technology
Sanitizing Your Scotsman Ice Machine
Resolving Customer Pain Points with Speed Ovens
The Benefits of Cleaning Your Ice Machine with Manitowoc’s LuminIce II
Inside The Vollrath Experience Tour
Chef Tim Demos Merrychef Commercial Speed Ovens
Get Consistently-Colored Tableware for your Restaurant or Bar
Research & Reports
Facility Design Success – School Nutrition Magazine Contribution
Developing a Solid Design-Build Strategy
Improving Architect/Client Communication with Rapids
Reducing Costs Through Increased Efficiency
The Importance of Showing Your Sanitation
Why Choose Rapids?
Reopening Guidelines by State
Promoting Your Business Online During COVID-19
Adapting in a Pandemic: How Foodservice Dealers are Handling COVID-19 Challenges
CDC to Recommend Schools Serve Lunch in Classrooms
Providing Resources & Support to Your Furloughed Workers
The Top 5 Things You Need to Do to Reopen
Manager/Office Staff Cleaning & Maintenance Tasks
Back-of-the-House Staff Cleaning & Maintenance Tasks
Bar Staff Cleaning & Maintenance Tasks
How Can the CARES Act Help You?
Front-of-the-House Staff Cleaning & Maintenance Tasks
Preparing Your Commercial Kitchen Equipment for Long-Term Storage
Tips on Preparing Your Nor-Lake Equipment for an Extended Shutdown
Advancing Foodservice Industry Interests in Congress
Online Ordering & Delivery | The Off-Premise Dining Trend
Hot Dog Equipment Necessities
Raising the Bar | Enhancing the Bartender Experience Through Design
Smallwares Requirements for a 200-Seat Cafeteria
Smallwares Requirements for a 75-Seat Pizza Restaurant
Smallwares Requirements for a 60-80 Seat Fine Dining Restaurant
Smallwares Requirements for a Bakery
Smallwares Requirements for a 200-Seat Buffet
Smallwares Requirements for a 100-Seat Restaurant
Smallwares Requirements for a 75-Seat Deli
Smallwares Requirements for a Fast Food Restaurant
Benefits of Working with a ServSafe Certified Professional
Self-Contained Refrigeration Failures
The Importance of Safe and Segregated Meat Prep Procedures
Designing an Effective Cookline
Expanding Your Menu: The Consumer Appeal of Ethnic Cuisine
FEDA: A Year in Review and Moving Forward
Design Project Challenges: Preparing For and Handling Problems and Changes
Benefits of Including Options from Multiple Vendors in Kitchen Design Quotes
EnergyStar Rebates and Credits for Commercial Kitchen Equipment
News & Announcements
Rapids Proudly Sponsors Inaugural Relish the Region Tasting Event
Rapids Helps Spark Nechus’ Dream at NewBo City Market
National Restaurant Association Show 2025 Highlights
Rapids Wholesale Named ITW’s 2024 Dealer of the Year
Join Us for Rational Cooking Live Events at Rapids Marion Office
Rapids Foodservice Contract & Design at NAFEM 2025
Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Highlights St. Ludmila Bakery Project
Rapids to Sponsor Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week 2025
Rapids Wholesale Receives 2024 Bravo Award
Eric Schmitt: A Leader Shaping the Corridor’s Future
Rapids’ 2024 Chili Cook-Off
MILITARY RECOGNITION DAY – Above and Beyond Award
Rapids To Be FULL PLATE Sponsor of Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week
Rapids Team Attends NAFEM 2023
October 2022 FE&S Magazine DSR of the Month is Theresa Peterson
Luke Green: 2021 ACE All Star!
FE&S September DSR of the Month: Heidi Ostberg!
Derecho Impact & Recovery Update
Jeff Rice Wins FE&S DSR of the Month!
Joe Schmitt Honored with 2020 FER Industry Service Award
Rapids Attends FE&S Tour the Trends 2019
FE&S September 2019 Facility Design of the Month: Café 655
#RapidsCares Visits Haven House
Pay-It-Forward with Groundswell Cafe
Dexter PROTOUR Visits Rapids!
Sweet Celebrations Gives Homeless Children a Reason to Celebrate | Missouri RapidsCares 2018
National Restaurant Association 2018 Highlights
The 2018 RapidsCares Eastern Iowa Donation Goes to…Café 361!
Experience the Best of Vollrath at the Vollrath Experience Tour!
Rapids/FEDA President Joe Schmitt: Why Are Foodservice Dealers Important?
Sponsoring Future Foodservice Entrepreneurs at the 2018 Iowa ProStart Invitational
Rapids Receives 2018 Innovator of the Year Award
Kip Opheim | ALL STAR of the Corridor Honorable Mention in Corridor Business Journal
Luke Green Honored as 2017 Dealer Sales Rep of the Year by FE&S Magazine
Linn-Mar High School Cafeteria Remodel Awarded FE&S Magazine Facility Design of the Month for April 2017
DEEM Winners
Bob Wiltgen – DEEM Winner July 2026
Hunter Bell – DEEM Winner June 2026
Austin Kirchmann – DEEM Winner May 2026
Jari Lea White – DEEM Winner April 2026
Troy Little – DEEM Winner February 2026
Steve West – DEEM Winner January 2026
Yvonne Paup – DEEM Winner December 2025
Tom Roberts – DEEM Winner November 2025
Mackenzie Beals – DEEM Winner October 2025
Robert Weiler – DEEM Winner September 2025
Scott Bonner – DEEM Winner August 2025
Tyson Schultz – DEEM Winner July 2025
Tom Roberts – DEEM Winner June 2025
Tom Roberts – DEEM Winner May 2025
Joshua Wharton & Dennis Snyder – DEEM Winners April 2025
Kade Yanda – DEEM Winner March 2025
Theresa Gervenak – DEEM Winner February 2025
Dejanai Tolliver – DEEM Winner January 2025
Scott Bonner – DEEM Winner December 2024
Jason Andriano – DEEM Winner November 2024
Darrin Birkicht – DEEM Winner October 2024
Amy Beason – DEEM Winner September 2024
Austin Kirchman – DEEM Winner August 2024
Alina Makarenko – DEEM Winner July 2024
Amy Beason – DEEM Winner June 2024
Scott Bonner – DEEM Winner May 2024
Guy Argent – DEEM Winner April 2024
Joey Labosky – DEEM Winner March 2024
Darrin Birkicht – DEEM Winner February 2024
Charles Viveros – DEEM Winner January 2024
Theresa Gervenak – DEEM Winner December 2023
Kip Opheim – DEEM Winner October 2023
Paul Adams – DEEM Winner September 2023
Kade Yanda – DEEM Winner August 2023
Theresa Gervenak – DEEM Winner July 2023
Lisa Pfeifer – DEEM Winner June 2023
Tyson Schultz – DEEM Winner May 2023
Hazel Harris – DEEM Winner April 2023
Teran Melton – DEEM Winner March 2023
Jordyn Keprios – DEEM Winner February 2023
Jenna Carstens – DEEM Winner January 2023
Joey Labosky – DEEM Winner December 2022
Allen Beyer – DEEM Winner November 2022
Travis Nissen – DEEM Winner October 2022
Paul Adams – DEEM Winner September 2022
Kaltuma Ahmed – DEEM Winner August 2022
Dan Gorbatjuk – DEEM Winner July 2022
Lisa Pfeiffer – DEEM Winner June 2022
Jason Wutzke – DEEM Winner May 2022
Christy Hodnefield – DEEM Winner April 2022
Jason Wutzke – DEEM Winner March 2022
Jenna Carstens – DEEM Winner February 2022
Paul Adams – DEEM Winner January 2022
Clay Carney – DEEM Winner December 2021
Allen Beyer – DEEM Winner November 2021
Jason Wutzke – DEEM Winner September 2021
Kathy Trca – DEEM Winner July 2020
Luke Green – DEEM Winner June 2020
Shelby Stark – DEEM Winner May 2020
Kyle Brewer – DEEM Winner April 2020
Chris Simerda – DEEM Winner March 2020
Dan Gorbatjuk – DEEM Winner February 2020
Nathan Deeney – DEEM Winner January 2020
Dean Demorest – DEEM Winner December 2019
Eric Colby – DEEM Winner November 2019
Cassie Schwarzenstein – DEEM Winner October 2019
Eric Colby – DEEM Winner September 2019
Luke Green – DEEM Winner August 2019
Theresa Peterson – DEEM Winner July 2019
Troy Little – DEEM Winner June 2019
Christy Hodnefield – DEEM Winner May 2019
Chad Summers – DEEM Winner April 2019
Luke Green – DEEM Winner March 2019
Karen Vandel – DEEM Winner February 2019
Tanya Larson – DEEM Winner January 2019
Clay Carney – DEEM Winner December 2018
Logan Bragg – DEEM winner of the YEAR 2018!
Christy Hodnefield – DEEM Winner November 2018
Matt Guillien – DEEM Winner October 2018
Logan Bragg – DEEM Winner September 2018
Malena Trueblood – DEEM Winner August 2018
Tylor Pairrett – DEEM Winner July 2018
Tom Roberts – DEEM Winner June 2018
Dana Mitchell – DEEM Winner May 2018
Yvonne Paup – DEEM Winner April 2018
Dean Demorest – DEEM Winner March 2018
Dan Gorbatjuk – DEEM Winner February 2018
Pam Morales – DEEM Winner January 2018
Logan Bragg – DEEM Winner December 2017
Tanya Larson – DEEM Winner November 2017
Jason Wutzke – DEEM Winner October 2017
Yvonne Paup – DEEM Winner September 2017
Projects
St. Cloud Behavioral Health Facility
The MidAmerican Energy RecPlex Recreational Complex
Reach For Your Potential
University of Northern Iowa
Field of Dreams Ballpark
Big Bore Barbecue
Gilley’s Gambling Hall
Clarinda Correctional Facility
St. Joan of Arc Catholic School
Olathe Innovation Center Culinary Program
CityWalk Eatery
TRIO Entertainment Complex
Domestic Violence Intervention Program
City High School
Trailside Elementary School
FeatherStone at Hickory Hill
St. Ludmilas Church
Pella Early Childhood Center
Grand Living at Tuscan Lakes
Grand Living at Wellen Park
X-Golf
Roshek Building
Maple Grove Elementary School
Saydel High School
University of Iowa: Catlett Residence Hall
Tonganoxie High School
Linn-Mar Intermediate Schools
Grand Living at Riverstone
Bondurant Junior High School
Ames High School
Lamy’s
Mercy Hospital
Ancho & Agave
Cafe 655 at Principal
Cameo Kitchen
Prairie High School
Rock Elm Tavern
Union Depot Bar & Grill
Hot Indian
Pacific Catch
Protected: Our Marion Facility
Hilton Hotel at Iowa Events Center
Iowa State University: Friley Hall Cafeteria
The Shack at O’Fallon
Holman’s Table
Mellow Mushroom
Bar Louie
University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
Silhouette Bakery & Bistro
Mid-Prairie Community School FACS
Linn-Mar High School
Washington High School
Financial Cafeteria
The Hotel at Kirkwood – Class Act Restaurant – Kirkwood Culinary School
Iowa State University
Hillcrest
Federal Insurance
Anamosa State Penitentiary
Loras Cafe
NewBo Market (Kirkwood Culinary Classroom)
Geonetric
Coe College Campus Pub
Grand Falls Casino
US Cellular Center | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
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Cafeteria Design – Get a Quote
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Service Area
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Events
MSNA Annual Conference Exhibit Show
AIA Iowa Convention 2027
SAI Annual Conference 2027
SNAI Annual Conference 2027
AIA Wisconsin 2027 Conference on Architecture
Iowa League of Cities Annual Conference & Exhibit 2027
Master Builders of Iowa Conference
CFESA Annual Conference
Rational Cooking Live
Rational Cooking Live
Rational Cooking Live
Rational Cooking Live
Rational Cooking Live
Rational Cooking Live
AIA A’26 MN Conference on Architecture
Rational Cooking Live
Rational Cooking Live
NAFEM 2027