2016: the first parts orders from Midrand
FoodServ Parts Store started in 2016 with a simple aim: make commercial kitchen spares easier to find and quicker to dispatch. At the time, many operators were still phoning around for elements, thermostats, gaskets and switches, often after service hours and while a fryer or oven was already down. The business was launched from Midrand, close to Gauteng’s main transport routes, so same-day preparation and next-day delivery could be handled without fuss.
The early stock line-up focused on the parts kitchens ask for most often, especially items that fail under heat, grease and daily cleaning. That meant oven elements, fryer thermostats, door gaskets, burner parts, switch panels and dishwasher fittings. The goal was never just to sell a box. It was to help a site get cooking again with the correct part first time. That approach shaped the business then, and it still does today.
- Commercial kitchen spare parts for ovens, fryers and dishwashers
- Midrand dispatch with national courier coverage
- Support for urgent repairs, planned maintenance and replacement cycles
2017 and 2018: building a useful online spares counter
By 2017 and 2018, the business had settled into a steady rhythm of identification, checking and dispatch. Instead of treating parts like a generic catalogue, the team worked through model details, plate readings, photos and site notes to confirm compatibility. That mattered for kitchens in Johannesburg, Pretoria and surrounding industrial areas where one incorrect element or gasket can waste a service call and leave the operator paying twice.
Those years also built the habits that still guide the store now. Orders were checked against the equipment type, the heat load, the fitting size and the usual wear pattern. If a dishwasher was losing seal pressure, the team looked at the gasket profile and the door condition. If a burner was uneven, the fitting and gas setup were considered before dispatch. It was practical work, not sales talk, and it saved a lot of back and forth.
- Part identification from photos, labels and measurements
- Compatibility checks before dispatch
- Support for fitment planning and post-install testing
2019 and 2020: staying active through higher demand and tougher conditions
By 2019 and 2020, the business had become known for answering the small but important questions that keep kitchens moving. Which element suits the cabinet depth? Which thermostat range matches the machine? Does the gasket need a corner return or a straight profile? These are the details that decide whether a repair lasts. In coastal areas, humidity adds another layer of wear, while inland kitchens deal with heat, dust and heavy daily use. The parts stocked and supplied had to cope with both.
Load-shedding also changed how many commercial kitchens planned maintenance. Operators could not wait for a breakdown on a busy Friday evening. They needed spares ready, switches checked and fittings tested before the next service period. During this time, the business continued serving customers under the FoodServ Parts Store name, which gave existing clients continuity and new customers a clear place to source parts.
- Continued trading through the earlier years
- Parts supply suited to load-shedding planning and repair cycles
- Support for kitchens exposed to coastal humidity and hard daily cleaning
From one store to a national dispatch point
As the range widened, the Midrand base became more than a collection point. It turned into a dispatch point for the whole country, with orders moving to Durban, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and other centres through a planned courier process. The business did not need a large showroom to serve kitchens well. It needed organised stock, correct labelling and people who understood the difference between a matching part and a near match.
This period also reinforced the value of having one central team working across several areas. Johannesburg Coverage and Pretoria Coverage stayed strong because of the nearby base, while Durban Coverage and Cape Town Coverage needed clear communication around part codes, measurements and installation timing. The business kept that balance by focusing on stock readiness and honest turnaround times, not overpromising.
- Midrand Depot as the dispatch and support base
- Coverage for Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town and Bloemfontein
- Order handling built around part codes, measurements and service urgency
The people behind the store
The business history is also the history of the team that kept it moving. Riaan Pretorius has led the company as Managing Director, with Ayesha Jacobs handling operations, Sibusiso Dlamini guiding technical parts support, Megan Naidoo managing customer support, Pieter van Wyk overseeing warehouse and dispatch, and Lerato Khumalo coordinating field fitting work. That mix matters because spare parts are never only about stock. They are about timing, site access, machine condition and getting the fitter or technician what they need.
Each role supports a different part of the same job. The warehouse team prepares orders so they can leave quickly. Customer support keeps communication clear when a kitchen is trying to restore service before lunch trade. Technical support checks the compatibility details. Field fitting work helps with onsite parts support, element fitting, thermostat fitting, gasket fitting, burner fitting and switch panel repairs. It is a practical setup, and it has helped the business stay steady through busy periods and quieter months alike.
- Managing Director: Riaan Pretorius
- Operations Manager: Ayesha Jacobs
- Technical Parts Lead: Sibusiso Dlamini
- Customer Support Manager: Megan Naidoo
- Warehouse and Dispatch Supervisor: Pieter van Wyk
- Field Fitting Coordinator: Lerato Khumalo
What the history means for customers today
Looking back, the main thread through the business is consistency. Since 2016, the aim has stayed the same: help commercial kitchens get the right spare parts, with enough detail to fit and function correctly. That history matters because kitchens do not buy parts for interest. They buy them when service is at risk, staff are waiting, and every hour counts. A supplier that has seen enough oven failures, worn gaskets and faulty thermostats learns what good support looks like.
Today, that experience still shows in the services offered. Part Identification, Compatibility Checks, Element Fitting, Thermostat Fitting, Gasket Fitting, Burner Fitting, Switch Panel Repairs, Dishwasher Part Fitting, Onsite Parts Support and Post-Fit Testing all grew from the same practical need. For customers, that means a supplier with years behind the name, a Midrand base, and a clear understanding of South African kitchen conditions. From central laundries to busy takeaway sites, the job is still to keep equipment working and avoid repeat breakdowns. It sounds simple, but its the difference between a short repair and a costly shutdown.