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Fifty years is a long time in the commercial foodservice equipment industry. Trends shift, menus change, and kitchens ask more from less. Yet some ideas last, not because they followed a trend, but because they solved a real problem the right way. For Nemco, one of those ideas was the Spiral Fry.
Before Nemco became known as a manufacturer of countertop foodservice equipment, it began as a small machine shop in Hicksville, Ohio. In 1976, founder Ed Neidhardt, along with his brother Gene and father Earl, started Neidhardt Engineering and Manufacturing Company (Nemco, for short). The goal wasn’t to enter the foodservice market. It was to build reliable solutions for real-world problems.
That mindset would soon put Nemco on a very different path than the founder intended.
How the Spiral Fry Solved a Real Foodservice Prep Problem
In Nemco’s early years, a local restaurant operator approached Ed Neidhardt with a challenge. His curly-style fries were popular, but producing them consistently took too long. Existing methods slowed the kitchen down and made it hard to keep up with demand.
Ed went back to the shop to find a solution.
What he built was a hand-operated cutter that quickly and consistently transformed a whole potato into a uniform spiral. In 1981, Nemco introduced the Spiral Fry to the broader foodservice market. It became the company’s first food-prep equipment product, created not from market speculation, but from a direct operator need.
The Spiral Fry worked because it fit naturally into the kitchen. It simplified prep, supported consistent output, and delivered a distinctive presentation without complicating the process.
Why the Spiral Fry Marked Nemco’s Shift Into Food Prep Equipment
The success of the Spiral Fry did more than validate a single product. It demonstrated that Nemco could translate its engineering expertise into practical foodservice solutions.
Rather than chasing novelty, the Spiral Fry addressed the fundamentals that matter in commercial kitchens: efficiency, repeatability, and reliability. That approach would become a cornerstone of Nemco’s product development philosophy.
As demand grew, so did the company. By 1988, Nemco expanded its facilities and evolved from a small machine shop into a manufacturer of commercial food equipment. The Spiral Fry played a meaningful role in that evolution by proving that operator-focused design could support long-term growth.
The Spiral Fry Still Matters in Commercial Kitchens
More than four decades after its introduction, the Spiral Fry remains part of Nemco’s catalog because it continues to perform well.
Modern kitchens face new pressures, but the fundamentals remain the same. Operators still need equipment that saves time, delivers consistent results, and holds up to daily use. The Spiral Fry continues to meet those expectations without unnecessary complexity.
Its longevity doesn’t come from nostalgia. It comes from usefulness.
What the Spiral Fry Reveals About Nemco’s Legacy in Action
As Nemco marks 50 years in business, the Spiral Fry stands as a clear example of the company’s legacy in action.
It reflects Midwest roots, hands-on engineering, and a belief that the best equipment starts by listening to operators. Made in the USA, the Spiral Fry continues to be built with the same focus on durability and consistency that operators expect from Nemco equipment.
One product didn’t just launch a category. It helped shape a company, and continues to reflect Nemco's approach to foodservice equipment today.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Spiral Fry
What is the Spiral Fry used for in commercial kitchens?
The Spiral Fry is a manual food prep tool that quickly and consistently cuts whole potatoes into uniform spiral shapes. Operators use it to streamline prep while maintaining consistent presentation.
When did Nemco introduce the Spiral Fry?
Nemco introduced the Spiral Fry in 1981. It was the company’s first food-prep equipment product and a key moment in its transition into foodservice equipment manufacturing.
Is the Spiral Fry still relevant in the foodservice industry?
The Spiral Fry remains relevant because it solves core kitchen challenges—efficient prep, consistent results, and dependable performance—using a simple, operator-friendly design.
