Alto-Shaam was founded in 1955 by Jerry Maahs, a restaurant operator who faced a common problem: keeping hot food warm during delivery in cold Wisconsin winters. Inspired by thermal heating cables used to prevent frozen sports fields from icing over, Jerry developed Halo Heat technology — a revolutionary system using radiant thermal cables to provide gentle, even heat without harsh elements, added humidity, or fans that typically degrade food quality.
The first Alto-Shaam Cook & Hold oven debuted at the 1968 National Restaurant Association Show and created an entirely new market category. Today, Alto-Shaam operates global headquarters spanning over 300,000 square feet and serves foodservice operations in more than 140 countries. The company remains family-led, with second-generation leadership continuing Jerry's legacy of innovation.


