Welbilt Corporation, through its subsidiaries, is the largest manufacturer of cooking and warming equipment in North America. Its customers include fast-food chains, institutional accounts such as schools and hospitals, full-service restaurants, and retail stores, including supermarkets and convenience stores. The company also distributes products in more than 65 countries. In the mid-1990s Welbilt had a dozen subsidiaries in the United States. It was acquired in 1995 by Berisford plc, a British firm. Welbilt's goal at that time was to increase its business to $1 billion by the year 2000. Henry and Alexander Hirsch founded Welbilt Stove Co. in 1929, primarily to make residential gas ranges. The privately owned company's factory was in the New York City borough of Queens. Welbilt Stove added electric ranges, range hoods, household-incinerators, and home air conditioners in later years.