Shipping Containers for Food, Beverage, and Restaurant Businesses
Refrigerated cold storage, dry storage, and catering equipment housing for restaurants, food service, and beverage distributors. Delivered nationwide with freight included.
Used 20ft dry containers typically cost $2,000 to $3,800 delivered, while used 40ft containers generally range from $2,800 to $4,500. New 1-Trip units range from $3,500 to $5,500 for a 20ft container and $4,500 to $7,500 for a 40ft container. Refrigerated containers are priced individually based on size, condition, and refrigeration system status. Standard dry units usually ship within 5 to 10 business days from the nearest available depot. Businesses ordering three or more units can work with our bulk desk for volume pricing, phased delivery, and multi-location coordination.
For more than 35 years, we have supplied containers to over 70,000 customers, including restaurants, caterers, and beverage companies that need added storage without taking on a permanent cooler or warehouse build-out. Because our containers are purchased rather than rented, businesses can treat the unit as a long-term asset instead of carrying an ongoing rental expense. If you are still comparing sizes, grades, or configurations, our commercial buyer's guide explains the main options by business use.
Why Restaurants and Food Businesses Buy From Us
Delivered Price Includes Freight | 300+ Depot Locations | Volume Pricing on 3+ Units |
Know the full delivered cost of your dry storage unit before ordering. Enter your business ZIP code to see pricing that already includes transportation. | Containers are dispatched from the nearest practical depot, helping reduce transportation distance and simplify delivery for businesses with one location or many. | Restaurant groups, distributors, and food-service operators purchasing three or more containers can access volume pricing, phased delivery, and delivery to multiple addresses. |
Containers for Food, Beverage, and Restaurant Operations
Refrigerated containers are handled differently from standard dry units because refrigeration systems, operating conditions, and equipment age vary from container to container. These units are quoted directly so the specification matches the intended application.
Product | Delivered Price | Business Use |
20ft Refrigerated Container | Quoted | Cold storage for produce, dairy, or beverage inventory |
40ft Refrigerated Container | Quoted | High-volume cold storage for distributors and multi-site kitchens |
20ft Wind and Water Tight | $2,000 to $3,800 | Dry storage for non-perishable inventory and supplies |
40ft Wind and Water Tight | $2,800 to $4,500 | Larger dry storage and catering equipment housing |
20ft New 1-Trip | $3,500 to $5,500 | Clean-condition unit for customer-facing or branded placements |
40ft New 1-Trip | $4,500 to $7,500 | Premium dry storage or commissary support unit |
Roll-Up Door Storage Unit | Quoted | Forklift-ready access for pallets and beverage cases |
Restaurant and Food Business Accessories
Refrigerated units require a working cooling system, while dry-storage containers may benefit from shelving, added ventilation, secure locking, or easier pallet access.
Accessory | Business Function |
Working Refrigeration System | Active cooling for produce, dairy, meat, or beverage storage. See the refrigerated container collection for available units. |
Shelving Package | Organizes dry goods, packaging, and small-item storage. Confirm current build spec with the bulk desk. |
Roll-Up Door | Full-width access for pallets and beverage cases without cargo door swing clearance |
Lock Box | Shrouds the padlock so bolt cutters cannot reach the shackle |
Container Vents | Prevents condensation from damaging dry goods and packaging in non-refrigerated units |
Accessories cannot be added to a financing agreement after an order is placed, so specify the full package at checkout. The complete range is on the container accessories collection, and refrigerated units are on the 20ft and 40ft refrigerated container collections.
Configurations by Operation Size
Container requirements usually change with the size and structure of the business. A single restaurant may only need one 20ft dry or refrigerated unit, while a commissary, beverage distributor, or multi-location restaurant group may need several units with different specifications.
Operation | Units | Configuration | Modifications | Order Route |
Single restaurant, dry storage | 1 | 20ft WWT | Lock box, vents | Online checkout |
Single restaurant, cold storage | 1 | 20ft Refrigerated | Working reefer system | Online checkout |
Multi-unit restaurant group | 2 to 3 | 20ft and 40ft mix | Reefer plus dry storage | Bulk desk |
Catering or commissary operation | 2 to 3 | 40ft mix plus reefer | Shelving, roll-up door | Bulk desk |
Beverage distributor | 3 to 5 | 40ft mix plus reefer | Roll-up doors, shelving | Bulk desk |
Regional food service operator | 3 to 6 | 40ft mix plus reefer | Uniform spec, all sites | Bulk desk |
Standardizing Specification Across a Multi-Location Restaurant Group
Restaurant groups and distributors running several locations get the most value from a single standardized specification held on file.
One spec across every location means kitchen and operations staff moving between sites already know the layout, replacement parts and keys are interchangeable, and reordering for a new location is a phone call rather than a fresh configuration exercise.
It also improves the quote. A standardized multi-unit order dispatched from several depots to several locations is efficient for us to fulfil, and that efficiency comes back in the pricing.
Running more than three active locations? Call (330) 286-0526 and ask the bulk desk to set up a program specification.
Pricing
Dry storage prices include delivery to your ZIP code with no separate freight charge, and reflect the five nearest depot locations. Refrigerated units are quoted individually since working condition, compressor age, and insulation quality vary by unit.
Container | Used Grades | New 1-Trip | Notes |
20ft Standard (Dry) | $2,000 to $3,800 | $3,500 to $5,500 | WWT is the standard dry storage grade |
40ft Standard (Dry) | $2,800 to $4,500 | $4,500 to $7,500 | Best value per square foot for dry storage |
20ft / 40ft Refrigerated | Quoted | Quoted | Working and non-working units both available |
Dry storage grades cover Multi-Trip, Wind and Water Tight, Cargo Worthy, and AS-IS, with WWT being the standard specification for this industry. Refrigerated units are graded on both structural condition and refrigeration system function.
Bulk and Multi-Location Ordering
Bulk Order Desk: Three or More Units
Volume pricing across the order rather than per-unit list pricing.
Phased delivery so units arrive as each location becomes ready.
Multi-address dispatch drawn from the depot nearest each site.
A standardized specification held on file for fast reordering as the group grows.
A single agreement covering the full order including modifications.
Call (330) 286-0526 and ask for the bulk desk, or email [email protected] with your location list and unit count.
Payment, Financing, and Section 179
Businesses can choose from several payment methods depending on the order. Card and ACH payments are available for direct purchases. Clicklease offers equipment financing from 12 to 60 months with a 60-second approval process and soft credit pull. Affirm is available at checkout for shorter-term financing, and qualifying addresses may also be eligible for pay-on-delivery.
Containers purchased for business use may qualify for Section 179 treatment, which can allow eligible businesses to deduct qualifying equipment costs in the year of purchase rather than depreciating them over several years. Eligibility depends on the individual business and transaction, so buyers should confirm tax treatment with their accountant or tax advisor.
Any container modifications that need to be included in financing should be added before the order is completed. Items purchased later fall outside the original financing agreement
Procurement, Purchase Orders, and Vendor Setup
Restaurant groups, caterers, commissaries, and beverage distributors often purchase through a formal procurement process. Our bulk desk can assist with purchase orders, vendor onboarding documents, W-9 requests, certificates of insurance, tax-exempt orders, and consolidated invoicing.
- Purchase Orders: Accepted on qualifying accounts. Contact the bulk desk before raising the PO so the specification and delivered pricing are confirmed first.
- Vendor Setup: We can complete standard vendor onboarding packs and supply a W-9 on request.
- Certificates of Insurance: Available on request where a landlord or franchisor requires one before delivery.
- Tax-exempt Purchases: Supply your exemption certificate at order so the invoice is raised correctly.
- Consolidated Invoicing: Multi-location orders can be invoiced as a single document or split by site.
Getting procurement requirements confirmed before the PO is issued helps prevent delays caused by pricing, tax, or specification changes later in the order process. Call (330) 286-0526 before submitting the purchase order.
Lead Times
Standard dry containers ship in 5 to 10 business days from order confirmation. Refrigerated units and modified units take longer because that work is completed before the container leaves our facility. If you have a fixed location opening date, confirm lead time with us before ordering rather than after.
Order Type | Lead Time | Notes |
Standard dry container, no modifications | 5 to 10 business days | Dispatched from the depot nearest your location |
Container with roll-up door or shelving | Longer than standard | Modification completed before dispatch |
Refrigerated container | Longer than standard | Confirm against your opening date at order |
Multi-unit with phased delivery | Scheduled to your program | Units arrive as each location becomes ready |
Delivery is completed by tilt-bed truck. Sites generally need 12 feet of access width, approximately 60 feet of clear run-out space, 14 feet of overhead clearance, and firm, level ground. Restaurants in urban areas, shopping centers, or tight commercial sites should confirm delivery access and any local permit requirements before scheduling.
Inspection and Warranty
Every container is inspected before it leaves the facility and again when it reaches the delivery location. The condition record is reviewed at handover so the buyer can confirm the unit received matches the order.
New 1-Trip containers include a 10-year structural warranty and a 10-year no-leak warranty. Warranty terms for used containers and refrigerated units vary by grade and condition and are confirmed when the order is placed.
Qualifying locations may also use pay-on-delivery, allowing the container to be positioned and inspected before payment is completed. For restaurant and food-service buyers working with a container supplier for the first time, this provides an added opportunity to confirm the delivered unit and, where applicable, the refrigeration setup before payment clears.
More information is available on our container inspection process page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer volume pricing on multiple containers for a restaurant group?
Yes. Orders of three or more units go through the bulk desk, which applies volume pricing across the order rather than per-unit list pricing. Phased delivery and multi-address dispatch across locations are included. Call (330) 286-0526 with your location list and unit count.
Can I pay by purchase order?
Purchase orders are accepted on qualifying accounts. Contact the bulk desk before raising the PO so the specification and delivered pricing are confirmed first, which avoids the PO being raised against a figure that then has to be amended.
Can you supply a W-9 and complete vendor onboarding for a restaurant group?
Yes. We can complete standard vendor onboarding documentation and supply a W-9 on request. Certificates of insurance are also available where a landlord or franchisor requires one before delivery.
Do you handle tax-exempt purchases?
Yes. Supply your exemption certificate at the point of order so the invoice is raised correctly from the outset. Amending an invoice after issue is slower than applying the exemption at order.
Can one order be delivered to several different restaurant locations?
Yes. Multi-address dispatch is standard on bulk orders, and each unit is drawn from the depot nearest its destination location rather than shipping everything from one origin. Delivery can be phased so units arrive as each site becomes ready.
Is delivery included in the price?
Dry storage prices include delivery to your ZIP code with no separate freight charge, and pricing reflects the five nearest depots so the figure returned is the lowest available for that address. Refrigerated units are quoted individually rather than by a fixed delivered price range.
What is the lead time on a refrigerated container?
Longer than the 5 to 10 business days a standard dry unit takes, because refrigeration condition is verified and any needed work is completed before the container leaves our facility. If you are working to a fixed opening date, call (330) 286-0526 to confirm lead time before ordering.
Can I inspect the container before paying?
Pay-on-delivery is available for qualifying addresses, which places and inspects the unit on your site before payment clears. Every container is also inspected before dispatch and again at delivery, with the record reviewed at handover. See the inspection process page.
What warranty comes with the container?
New 1-Trip units carry a 10-year structural and 10-year no-leak warranty. Used grades and refrigerated units carry shorter, grade-specific terms confirmed at point of order.
Can accessories be added after the order is placed?
Not to an existing financing agreement. Accessories bought later are a separate transaction outside the original agreement, which is why the full package should be specified at checkout. The range is on the accessories collection.
Working out what your restaurant or food business actually needs before you buy? Our commercial buyer's guide covers sizing and configuration for food and beverage storage use cases.
Get a Delivered Quote for Your Business.
Enter your ZIP code to see the delivered price of available dry-storage containers. For refrigerated units, contact us for a quote based on size and current equipment condition.
Buying for several locations or ordering through a procurement department? Call the bulk desk for volume pricing, coordinated delivery schedules, multiple delivery addresses, and purchase-order support.
Get My Instant Quote | Bulk Desk: (330) 286-0526
