Easy Ice powers through Q1 with two bold buys—here’s how it’s reshaping ice rentals in Oklahoma

Easy Ice, a national leader in commercial ice machine leasing, has announced the completion of two new acquisitions, marking a strong close to the first quarter of 2025. The Scottsdale-based company has acquired the ice machine leasing divisions of Red Rock Food Equipment and CABA Leasing, both headquartered in Oklahoma City. These strategic moves expand Easy Ice’s footprint in Oklahoma and North Texas—two key markets driven by fast-growing foodservice sectors.

Red Rock Food Equipment and CABA Leasing expand Easy Ice’s service footprint

The acquisition of Red Rock Food Equipment’s ice leasing division brings with it nearly five decades of regional expertise. Founded in 1939, Red Rock became a notable player in food service equipment and diversified into leasing ice machines in 1978, targeting restaurants, convenience stores, and institutional kitchens. CABA Leasing, meanwhile, entered the scene more recently, operating for over 15 years and carving out a niche by servicing chain restaurants with tailored lease offerings. The combination of both portfolios enhances Easy Ice’s density in the region while reinforcing its positioning as a top-tier player in the ice-as-a-service market.

How Oklahoma’s growing food and hospitality market is reshaping commercial ice demand

Darren Boruff, Chief Acquisitions Officer at Easy Ice, said the two deals are a strong testament to the company’s ongoing expansion strategy. He emphasised that Oklahoma City’s booming hospitality scene makes it a prime area for Easy Ice to deepen its presence. According to Boruff, the acquisitions will not only increase customer density but also improve utilisation of existing service infrastructure, boosting overall efficiency.

The strategic acquisitions come at a time when the Oklahoma City metropolitan area is witnessing substantial growth in the food and beverage sector. The city is emerging as a culinary destination, with upscale steakhouses, chef-driven restaurants, and innovative eateries increasingly reliant on consistent ice supply for beverages, food preservation, and bar service.

Why managed ice machine rental is replacing traditional equipment ownership

As demand for commercial ice machines rises, operators are turning to managed solutions that simplify operations and reduce downtime—an area in which Easy Ice has carved out a compelling value proposition. Unlike traditional equipment purchases, Easy Ice’s rental model includes installation, preventive maintenance, cleaning, and 24/7 repair coverage, making it particularly attractive to businesses that cannot afford operational disruptions. With more than 37,000 commercial ice machines under management in 47 states, Easy Ice has transformed ice equipment from a capital expenditure into a predictable operating expense.

Easy Ice builds customer density and service efficiency with regional leasing portfolios

These recent Oklahoma acquisitions follow a series of similar transactions across the country, reflecting Easy Ice’s acquisition-led approach to growth. The company has steadily consolidated regional players in the ice machine leasing segment, focusing on areas with fragmented service landscapes and growing hospitality demand. Oklahoma, with its central location and expanding service economy, represents fertile ground for Easy Ice’s recurring-revenue model.

Subscription-based ice solutions gain traction among restaurants and chains

Analysts tracking the food service equipment rental market point to several tailwinds supporting Easy Ice’s trajectory. These include rising input costs, labour shortages in maintenance staff, and a growing preference for outsourcing non-core operations. Easy Ice’s integrated service model aligns well with these trends, offering predictable costs and minimal hassle for end users.

From an operational standpoint, the addition of Red Rock and CABA Leasing’s portfolios will likely increase route density for service technicians, reduce drive times between customer locations, and enable faster response times for repairs—ultimately enhancing the end-user experience. These efficiencies can also improve profit margins by reducing per-machine servicing costs across the network.

What the Red Rock and CABA acquisitions mean for foodservice operators in Oklahoma and North Texas

For restaurant owners in Oklahoma and North Texas, the acquisitions could mean faster service, broader machine options, and enhanced reliability—particularly as Easy Ice integrates its 24/7 customer support and proactive maintenance protocols into the newly acquired accounts. The company’s platform is built to detect performance issues early, reducing machine downtime and ensuring uninterrupted service during high-traffic periods.

Easy Ice scales ice-as-a-service model as part of nationwide growth strategy

With its Q1 2025 acquisitions complete, Easy Ice appears set to continue executing its national rollout strategy. The company has made clear its intention to grow in both scale and market coverage, aiming to make its ice machine leasing model the industry standard for foodservice operators across the U.S.

As consolidation intensifies in the commercial equipment rental sector, Easy Ice’s approach offers a compelling blueprint: combine regional expertise with national service infrastructure to deliver a seamless, full-service rental experience. The company’s performance in Oklahoma City will serve as a barometer for its broader ambitions and could catalyse further acquisitions in adjacent markets.

The commercial ice machine market may be niche, but Easy Ice’s latest expansion proves that in the world of foodservice, even the coldest assets can drive hot growth.