Chris Daskalakis: From a New Jersey Contractor to Founder of MFS Trade School

How an unexpected public contract became the beginning of a career in commercial kitchen fire safety—and eventually a trade school that has trained more than 2,000 students.

Some entrepreneurial journeys begin with a carefully developed business plan. Others begin with an unexpected opportunity.

For Christos “Chris” Daskalakis, Founder and CEO of MFS Trade School, his journey into the commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning industry began approximately 30 years ago with a newspaper advertisement for a public contract in New Jersey.

What started as a single business opportunity eventually led him to build a specialized service company, deepen his knowledge of fire safety, and establish a training school dedicated to helping others enter the restaurant cleaning industry.

An Unexpected Opportunity in New Jersey

Before entering the commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning industry, Chris was a second-generation contractor working in New Jersey.

His construction crew was completing roadwork outside the Passaic Board of Education building when he noticed an opportunity in a newspaper listing public projects open for bids.

The contract involved kitchen exhaust hood cleaning, fire suppression, and fire extinguisher services for more than 80 schools.

For someone accustomed to outdoor construction work, the opportunity immediately stood out.

“I remember thinking, ‘What’s that all about? That sounds interesting,’” Chris recalls.

The possibility of year-round service work was particularly appealing.

Despite having no previous experience performing kitchen exhaust cleaning, Chris decided to submit a bid.

The Contract That Changed His Career

Chris was not the lowest bidder.

Two companies had submitted lower bids, and he initially did not expect to win the contract.

However, his construction background had given him experience with public bidding procedures.

He challenged the two lower bids, both were rejected, and the contract was awarded to him.

Winning was exciting, but it created an immediate challenge.

“Okay, great. Now, how do I actually do this work?”

Instead of walking away from the opportunity, Chris decided to find someone who could teach him.

That decision would shape the rest of his professional career.

Three Weeks of Hands-On Training

Chris located a company in upstate New York, approximately five hours away, that specialized in kitchen exhaust cleaning, fire suppression, and fire extinguisher services.

He approached the owner, showed him the contract, and asked to learn the business.

The owner agreed under one condition: Chris would spend three weeks working alongside the company's technicians.

“At night, you're going out with the exhaust hood cleaning crew. During the day, you're going with the fire suppression and fire extinguisher guys. And after three weeks, I never want to see you again.”

Chris remembers his response:

“Aye aye, sir!”

For three weeks, he immersed himself in the work.

During the nights, he accompanied kitchen exhaust cleaning crews. During the days, he learned about fire suppression systems and fire extinguisher services.

This hands-on experience became the foundation of his career in the restaurant cleaning and fire safety industries.

From Commercial Cleaning to Fire Safety Expertise

As Chris developed his business, he became increasingly interested in understanding the fire safety requirements behind the services he provided.

Commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning involves more than removing visible grease.

It requires knowledge of ventilation systems, fire prevention, cleaning procedures, safety practices, and applicable requirements.

To deepen his understanding, Chris pursued additional fire safety education and became a private fire inspector.

This combination of field experience and fire safety knowledge later influenced his approach to professional training.

He understood that contractors needed both practical skills and an appreciation for the safety responsibilities associated with commercial cooking environments.

Why Chris Daskalakis Founded MFS Trade School

Years later, after relocating to Florida, Chris began considering his next business venture.

He wanted to create something different.

His ideal business would be built around recurring service needs, fire safety requirements, and an industry capable of maintaining demand during challenging economic conditions.

He kept returning to commercial kitchen exhaust hood cleaning.

Approximately 12 years ago, that vision led him to establish MFS Trade School in Sanford, Florida.

Rather than focusing solely on operating another service company, Chris wanted to help other people learn the industry and build businesses of their own.

The school began by offering training in kitchen exhaust hood cleaning, fire suppression, and fire extinguisher services.

Over time, its programs expanded.

From One Industry Opportunity to Seven Training Courses

As MFS Trade School developed, Chris identified additional training opportunities within the restaurant cleaning industry.

The school expanded into cooking appliance cleaning and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, introduced virus disinfection training to help entrepreneurs pursue opportunities in that service category.

Today, according to Chris, MFS Trade School offers seven courses related to the restaurant cleaning industry.

Its educational approach extends beyond technical instruction.

Students can develop knowledge in areas such as:

• Professional cleaning procedures and equipment

• Relevant fire safety requirements

• Job estimating and service pricing

• Marketing and customer acquisition

• Business operations

• Entrepreneurship and business development

MFS also emphasizes mentoring to help students navigate the challenges of starting and growing a service business.

The goal is to help students understand not only how a service is performed, but also how to build a business around that specialized skill.

More Than 2,000 Students Across the United States and Canada

Chris reports that MFS Trade School has served more than 2,000 students throughout the United States and Canada.

The school has also accumulated hundreds of student video testimonials and five-star Google reviews.

Chris reports that MFS has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

These milestones reflect the growth of the school, but Chris measures success in more personal terms.

For him, the most rewarding part is watching students apply what they have learned.

Seeing graduates gain confidence, attract customers, and build businesses of their own is what continues to motivate him.

The Entrepreneurial Lesson Behind Chris's Story

Chris's journey illustrates how an unexpected opportunity can develop into a long-term career.

He did not begin as an expert in commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning.

He recognized a business opportunity, took action, sought experienced professionals who could teach him, and developed his knowledge through hands-on work.

Years later, he built an educational organization around helping others take similar first steps.

His story highlights three principles that remain central to MFS Trade School:

Recognize opportunities. Invest in practical education. Build a business around specialized skills.

About Christos “Chris” Daskalakis

Christos “Chris” Daskalakis is the Founder and CEO of MFS Trade School, a professional training and certification school based in Sanford, Florida.

A second-generation contractor with approximately three decades of experience in the restaurant cleaning industry, Chris has worked in commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning, fire safety, and professional education.

He founded MFS Trade School to help aspiring entrepreneurs and existing service-business owners develop technical skills and business knowledge for the commercial kitchen cleaning industry.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chris Daskalakis

Who is Chris Daskalakis?

Christos “Chris” Daskalakis is the Founder and CEO of MFS Trade School in Sanford, Florida. He is an entrepreneur and former New Jersey contractor whose career includes commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning, fire safety, and vocational training.

How did Chris Daskalakis enter the kitchen exhaust cleaning industry?

Chris entered the industry after winning a public contract for kitchen exhaust cleaning, fire suppression, and fire extinguisher services involving more than 80 schools in New Jersey. He then completed three weeks of hands-on training with an experienced company in upstate New York.

Why did Chris Daskalakis start MFS Trade School?

Chris founded MFS Trade School to help people learn specialized restaurant cleaning services and develop the technical and business knowledge needed to pursue entrepreneurship.

How many students has MFS Trade School trained?

According to Chris, MFS Trade School has served more than 2,000 students across the United States and Canada.

Where is MFS Trade School located?

MFS Trade School is based in Sanford, Florida, United States.

Start Your Own Journey With MFS Trade School

Chris Daskalakis's journey began with an unfamiliar opportunity and a willingness to learn.

Today, MFS Trade School helps aspiring entrepreneurs and existing service-business owners explore opportunities in commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning through hands-on training, certification, and business education.

Explore MFS Trade School's Kitchen Exhaust Hood Cleaning Certification Program

Learn the trade. Develop your skills. Build something of your own.