Tech24 Acquires Hot-Side Specialist in Strategic Market Consolidation

GREENVILLE, SC – March 18, 2026 – Tech24, a national leader in commercial foodservice equipment services, announced today its strategic partnership with Pacific Standard Service (PSS), a highly regarded specialist in commercial cooking equipment. The move significantly bolsters Tech24's technical capabilities, particularly in the complex 'hot-side' category, and extends its operational footprint across six key states, including California, New York, and Ohio.

This partnership marks another significant step in Tech24's aggressive growth strategy, which has seen the company complete nearly 20 acquisitions since 2020. Based in Greenville, South Carolina, Tech24 provides comprehensive repair and preventive maintenance for a wide array of commercial refrigeration, cooking, beverage, and HVAC equipment. The addition of Albany, California-based PSS deepens its specialization and strengthens its position as a dominant force in a growing, yet highly fragmented, industry.

Private Equity Fuels Industry Consolidation

The commercial foodservice equipment repair market, valued at over $1.6 billion and projected to reach $2.3 billion by 2030, is characterized by a landscape of smaller, regional providers. This fragmentation presents a significant opportunity for consolidation, a strategy that Tech24, backed by private equity firms Vestar Capital Partners and HCI Equity Partners, is actively pursuing. HCI first acquired Tech24 in 2020, using it as a platform for a 'roll-up' strategy, and was joined by Vestar in 2023 to accelerate this expansion.

The investment thesis is clear: build scale, increase geographic density, and broaden service capabilities to create a comprehensive, one-stop solution for national and regional clients. Market trends are fueling this growth, with persistent labor shortages encouraging restaurant and facility managers to outsource maintenance, and the increasing complexity of smart, IoT-enabled kitchen equipment demanding specialized technical knowledge.

“We are thrilled to welcome Pacific Standard Service to the Tech24 family,” said Cary Reed, CEO of Tech24, in a statement. “PSS brings deep hot-side expertise, a strong technician base, and national account relationships that will strengthen our presence in multiple markets.”

The 'Hot-Side' Advantage

Pacific Standard Service has built its reputation since the early 2000s on its 'deep technical expertise' and 'meticulous workmanship' in the 'hot-side' sector. This industry term refers to commercial cooking equipment such as ovens, grills, fryers, and steamers—the high-temperature, high-usage workhorses of any professional kitchen. Repairing and maintaining this equipment requires a distinct and specialized skill set compared to 'cold-side' (refrigeration) or beverage systems.

As an award-winning member of the Commercial Food Equipment Service Association (CFESA), PSS's specialization provides Tech24 with a critical competitive advantage. It allows the national provider to offer a more holistic service package to its diverse customer base, which includes major restaurant, grocery, healthcare, and convenience store chains. For these large-scale operators, managing multiple service vendors for different types of equipment is a logistical challenge. A single partner with certified expertise across all equipment categories simplifies operations and reduces downtime, a critical factor in the fast-paced foodservice industry.

Balancing National Scale with Local Expertise

A key element of the partnership is the focus on continuity. Tech24 has confirmed that the existing PSS leadership team, including Founder Greg Jones, General Manager Angie Hager-Grant, and Operations Manager Frank Soto, will continue to lead day-to-day operations. This strategy aims to preserve the customer relationships and service quality that have been the bedrock of PSS's success.

For PSS, the partnership unlocks access to the resources of a national enterprise. “Joining Tech24 gives our team access to additional resources, support, and scale—while allowing us to continue delivering the same responsive service our customers count on every day,” stated Greg Jones. This sentiment addresses a common concern in acquisitions: that a smaller company's unique culture and customer-centric approach will be diluted within a larger corporate structure. By retaining local leadership and empowering them with greater resources, Tech24 aims to achieve growth without sacrificing the quality of service its newly acquired customers expect.

The integration will expand Tech24's direct service coverage in California, Kentucky, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia, leveraging PSS's established presence and strong, long-term relationships with leading brands in those regions. This move not only broadens Tech24's map but also deepens its ability to serve national accounts with locations in these territories. As Tech24 continues its strategic expansion, the successful integration of specialized firms like Pacific Standard Service will be crucial to cementing its leadership position in the evolving foodservice landscape.