Our Story
Griffin Commercial Kitchen Equipment is the premier independent manufacturer’s firm for the Foodservice Equipment industry. Our territory covers the states of North and South Carolina. We pride ourselves on solution-based equipment integration.
Proudly representing the best foodservice equipment since 1970
In 1970, Frank M. Griffin began his career as an independent manufacturer’s representative with Jenkins and Associates, headquartered in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In 1983, Frank and his business partner, Tommy Hale, purchased Jenkins and Associates from its sole owner. Frank and Tommy would continue to operate under the company name of Jenkins and Associates for the next eight years, learning business tactics, strategies, and ethics the from the first lady of the independent sales representative, Mrs. Vera Jenkins.
In 1991, Frank and Tommy moved their new company- Griffin Hale and Associates, to Irmo, South Carolina, covering North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and parts of Virginia. In September of 2000, industry changes necessitated the split of Frank Griffin and Tommy Hale. Frank and his long-time trusted associate of 23 years, Judy Truax, formed Griffin Marketing Group, Inc., solely covering North and South Carolina. In 2005, Frank initiated a succession plan with four veterans of the food service industry- Judy Truax, Bob Ladew, Adam Goldenberg, and Clint Robins.
Since 2010, our headquarters have been located in Salisbury, NC. Salisbury is centrally located in our territory for convenience, but it is also home to our president, Clint Robins.
The company’s name and logo, the GRIFFIN, symbolizing strength and intelligence, will remain indefinitely as we hope to expand on the strategies, tactics, and ethics that have unified us for over 50 years. Today, we’re proud to announce our new company name: Griffin Commercial Kitchen Equipment, Inc., along with a redesigned logo, continuing to symbolize Strength and Leadership.