Catergator® Cooler is the leading manufacturer of commercial grade, heavy duty outdoor coolers. For over 15 years, we’ve been providing restaurants, caterers, food trucks, venues, and businesses with reliable coolers to keep food and drinks chilled at outdoor events.
Our story begins back in 2007, when our founder James Robertson first recognized the need for more durable and robust coolers for commercial use. At the time, James owned a successful catering business in California, serving events like weddings, corporate gatherings, and festivals. He found that standard consumer cooler brands just couldn’t withstand the heavy usage required for commercial catering and food service.
After ruining one too many flimsy coolers, James was fed up. He knew there had to be a better solution, so he made it his mission to design the ideal commercial cooler.
Crafting the Perfect Commercial Cooler
James got to work prototyping cooler designs using rotationally molded polyethylene, which is a highly durable plastic able to withstand frequent use and transportation. He also used premium insulation to maximize ice retention.
After months of testing and refining, the first Catergator® Extreme series cooler was born. This inaugural design set the standard for the commercial-grade, rugged durability Catergator® Coolers are now famous for.
The Extreme series cooler checked all the boxes for demanding commercial use:
- Thick, molded polyethylene construction prevents cracks, dents, and corrosion
- 2-3 inches of polyurethane insulation provides outstanding ice retention
- Reinforced lid and latches keep the lid secure and contents protected
- Heavy duty molded-in handles make lifting and transport easy
- Molded-in wheels on large models enable effortless mobility
This innovative cooler was a massive hit with James’ catering business, allowing him to transport and store food safely for hours.
Once fellow caterers and restaurants got a glimpse of this game-changing cooler, everyone wanted one. Demand skyrocketed from both James’ catering network and online food service forums.
Sensing the overwhelming need for better commercial coolers, James made the decision to launch Catergator® Cooler to bring his Extreme series to market.
Catergator® Cooler is Born
In 2008, James established Catergator® Cooler as a company dedicated entirely to commercial-grade coolers. The quality and performance of the Extreme series cooler had already developed a cult following in the catering and mobile food service world.
With James’ expertise and insight into the needs of food service pros, Catergator® Coolers took off rapidly. We exhibited at industry trade shows, got products into restaurant and catering supply stores, and focused heavily on online sales – allowing us to reach customers anywhere in the country.
Word spread like wildfire throughout the food service community about the extreme durability and ice retention of Catergator® coolers. They were a game-changer for keeping large volumes of food and drinks chilled safely for outdoor serving.
Our coolers quickly became the go-to choice for caterers, food trucks, concession stands, and any food service business that needed to transport and store perishables. The brand gained a reputation for being virtually indestructible and a true workhorse under heavy commercial use.
Expanding the Cooler Lineup
Building on the runaway success of the original Extreme series, we continued expanding our selection of commercial coolers:
- More sizes – from massive 210 quart coolers down to compact 20 quart models
- More colors – from basic white and tan to vibrant reds, blues, and camo
- More styles – added round coolers, jockey boxes, and removable baskets
- More mobility – models with wheels, handles, or both for maximum portability
We also introduced commercial coolers tailored to more niche food service needs:
- Beverage jockey boxes – insulated coolers with chilling coils, faucets, and drains for ice cold beverages on tap
- Dual-zone coolers – with a removable insulated divider to separately chill food and beverages
- Hinged lid chest freezers – for low-temp frozen storage and transportation
In addition to the Extreme series, we launched our value-focused Expedition lineup. These models offer the core commercial performance at a more affordable price point.
No matter the size, style, or purpose, all Catergator® coolers are engineered for commercial-grade durability. They also come with a limited lifetime warranty so customers can purchase with confidence.
Why Choose Catergator®
After evaluating options from many cooler manufacturers over the years, we feel Catergator® Coolers are simply unmatched for demanding commercial use.
Here’s why food service pros choose us:
Maximized Ice Retention
Keeping perishables properly chilled over extended periods is critical for food safety. Catergator® Coolers feature thick insulation designed to hold ice longer. Models like our Extreme series can retain ice for up to 10+ days!
Heavy Duty Construction
From our rugged rotomolded shells to reinforced handles and hinges, our coolers are made to withstand constant use and abuse. We over-engineer key stress points so they don’t fail during transport and use.
Enhanced Mobility
Large, bulky coolers need to be highly portable for catering, events, and mobile food service. Our coolers have ergonomic rope handles, molded-in wheels, or both to make transit easy from kitchen to venue.
Commercial-Grade Quality
We don’t cut corners. From materials to manufacturing processes, our coolers are made to commercial standards – not residential. They’ll withstand years of heavy use, saving businesses money over frequent cooler replacements.
Customization Options
Many customers want to brand our coolers with custom logos or designs. We offer affordable branding services so businesses can prominently display their logo and reinforce their brand.
Excellent Value
Considering their extreme durability and superior insulation, Catergator® Coolers deliver excellent value for the money. They’re an investment that pays off with years of reliable service.
Responsive Customer Service
Our helpful customer service team aims to provide prompt, friendly assistance if any issues arise with an order or product. We want customers to have an excellent experience when buying from us.
Serving Food Service Professionals
Here at Catergator® Cooler, we’re proud to serve the businesses that serve food. Our purpose is to equip food service pros with reliable, high-performing coolers built specifically for their unique needs.
Since launching in 2008, we’ve had the pleasure of outfitting:
- Catering companies with coolers to set up food stations at weddings, corporate events, and special occasions.
- Food trucks and concession stands with coolers to transport ingredients safely and serve customers.
- Venues and entertainment facilities with beverage coolers to keep drinks cold in concession areas.
- Restaurants and commercial kitchens with storage coolers for perishable ingredients and prepared foods.
- Grocery stores and markets with display coolers to merchandise chilled foods attractively.
- Hospitals with medical-grade coolers to transport organs, medical samples, and temperature-sensitive medical supplies.
- Universities with dual-zone tailgating coolers for athletic events and catered banquets.
- Theme parks and zoos with coolers to hold animal foods and keep guest beverages cold.
No matter the industry or commercial application, we make it our mission to build the perfect cooler. We regularly consult with our food service customers to better understand their pain points and needs. Their feedback allows us to continuously enhance cooler features, functionality, and durability.
We take pride in building products that make our customers’ jobs easier and businesses more successful. Their satisfaction means everything to us.
The Future of Catergator® Cooler
While we’ve accomplished a lot since 2007, we have even bigger goals on the horizon.
After more than 15 years in business, Catergator® Cooler is still run by founder James Robertson. He continues guiding the company’s strategic vision, supported by our dedicated staff.
Here are some of the ways we’re striving to improve Catergator® Cooler moving forward:
- Expanding our beverage cooler lineup – jockey boxes, dispensers, and more custom tap configurations
- Developing new dual-zone and multi-temperature cooler designs – with sections for frozen, chilled, and ambient temperatures
- Pioneering more eco-friendly materials and manufacturing – increased recycled content and reduced carbon footprint
- Refining cooler performance and insulation – innovating new materials and technologies
- Adding IoT Smart Cooler technology – digital tracking, monitoring, and control via mobile apps
- Improving order fulfillment and shipping times – faster processing and delivery nationwide
- Expanding branding and customization options – more colors, printing services, and modification capabilities
- Launching an affiliate/influencer marketing program – collaborating with food/beverage creators and brands
- Increasing our community outreach and social impact – donations, sustainability initiatives, and volunteering
Our sights are set high. We’re committed to leading innovation in commercial-grade coolers and providing ever-greater value to our customers.
The future looks bright and busy for Catergator® Cooler! We can’t wait to continue this journey and see what the next 15+ years have in store.
Join Our Cooler Community!
Ready to get your hands on commercial coolers built for the rigors of food service? We’d love to get you outfitted with the perfect Catergator® coolers for your business!
Browse our full lineup of heavy duty coolers and place an order today. Questions? Reach out anytime – our customer service agents are happy to help with product recommendations and orders.
We also invite you to join the Catergator® community online:
- Follow us on Instagram @catergatorcooler to see our coolers in action and get brand updates!
- Subscribe on YouTube for cooler demos, product tours, and helpful tips.
- Join our Facebook group to interact with the Catergator® community.
- Check out our monthly newsletter for company news, feature stories, and promotions.
We look forward to serving your cooler needs for years to come! Welcome to the Catergator® family – we’re thrilled to have you with us. Let’s chill something am
