Sales of foodservice equipment and supplies will increase by 4.4 percent in 2017, according to the Manufacturers’ Agents Association for the Foodservice Industry’s Business Barometer. This growth rate remains consistent with the association’s 2016 forecast, which projected a 4.5 percent sales increase.

Breaking down the forecast on a regional level, MAFSI members project a 4.6 percent sales increase in the Midwest, 4.4 percent in the South and West, 4.2 percent in the Northeast and 4.1 percent in Canada.

From a product perspective, reps project a 5 percent increase in tabletop items, a 4.6 percent increase for furnishings, a 4.4 percent increase for equipment and a 4.1 increase in supply sales.

In addition, 52 percent of reps report an increase in quoting activity for the coming year compared to 2016. And only 10 percent of reps report a decline in quoting activity for the coming year. With respect to consultant activity, 48 percent of reps feel they will have greater consultant activity in 2017 and 43 percent project no change in this area.