Equipment Financing
0% Down — Cold Storage Financing
Axiant Partners finances all cold storage equipment — walk-in coolers, blast chillers, refrigerated display cases, industrial compressors, reefer trailers. Hussmann, Tyler, Hill Phoenix, Thermo King. Terms 36–84 months.
- ✓ 0% down for qualified borrowers
- ✓ All cold storage equipment types
- ✓ Grocery, foodservice, pharma, cold chain
- ✓ Reefer trailers financed separately
- ✓ Decision in 24–48 hours
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Cold Storage Equipment Financing — Complete Guide
Walk-in coolers and freezers ($8,000–$60,000), blast chillers ($8,000–$40,000), refrigerated display cases ($5,000–$30,000 per unit), industrial refrigeration compressors ($15,000–$150,000), refrigerated trailers ($35,000–$80,000). Hussmann, Tyler, Hill Phoenix, Bohn, Thermo King — 2024 prices and financing options for grocery, foodservice, pharma, and cold chain logistics.
Key Facts: Cold Storage Equipment Financing
- Walk-In Coolers/Freezers: $8,000–$60,000 | Modular panels — can be moved
- Blast Chillers: $8,000–$40,000 | Self-contained, easy to finance
- Display Cases: $5,000–$30,000 per unit | Grocery and foodservice
- Industrial Compressors: $15,000–$150,000 | Cold storage facilities
- Refrigerated Trailers: $35,000–$80,000 new | Strong resale values
- Key Brands: Hussmann, Tyler (Carrier), Hill Phoenix, Bohn (Lennox), Thermo King
- Applications: Grocery, foodservice, pharma, cold chain distribution, food processing
Cold Storage Equipment by Type — Prices and Financing
Cold storage equipment financing covers a broad spectrum of industries and use cases. The equipment type and application significantly affect how lenders underwrite the loan — a reefer trailer for a food distributor is evaluated very differently from an industrial ammonia refrigeration system for a cold storage facility. Understanding these distinctions helps borrowers approach the right lenders with the right documentation.
For grocery and retail operations, refrigerated display cases (Hussmann, Tyler, Hill Phoenix) are the core investment — open-front merchandisers, reach-in glass door cases, and specialty deli cases. These are well-understood by equipment lenders, have strong secondary markets, and finance easily with 36–72 month terms. For foodservice and restaurant operations, walk-in coolers, blast chillers, and reach-in refrigerators are standard equipment with excellent lender familiarity.
For distribution and cold chain logistics, refrigerated trailers (Thermo King, Carrier/Transicold units) are the primary financing need. These finance through transportation equipment lenders rather than commercial equipment lenders — a distinction that matters because transport lenders have specialist knowledge of reefer trailer markets and values.
Related: Warehouse & Material Handling Financing | Manufacturing Equipment Financing | Food Processing Equipment Financing | Restaurant Equipment Financing
Cold Storage Equipment Prices by Category
| Equipment Type | Key Brands | Price Range | Useful Life | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walk-In Cooler (8x10 ft) | Bohn, Hussmann, Arctic Industries | $8,000–$18,000 | 15–20 years | Restaurant, retail, foodservice |
| Walk-In Cooler (20x30 ft) | Hussmann, Hill Phoenix | $22,000–$45,000 | 15–20 years | Grocery, distribution |
| Walk-In Freezer (medium) | Hussmann, Tyler, Bohn | $18,000–$60,000 | 15–20 years | Food storage, distribution |
| Blast Chiller (10 pan) | Alto-Shaam, Traulsen, Beverage-Air | $8,000–$16,000 | 10–15 years | Foodservice, catering |
| Blast Chiller (industrial) | Frigoscandia, JBT, Starfrost | $20,000–$40,000 | 15–20 years | Food manufacturing, ready meals |
| Refrigerated Display Case (single) | Hussmann, Tyler, Hill Phoenix | $5,000–$12,000 | 10–15 years | Grocery, convenience, deli |
| Refrigerated Display Run (20 ft) | Hussmann, Tyler, Hill Phoenix | $15,000–$30,000 | 10–15 years | Grocery, foodservice |
| Industrial Compressor (small) | Copeland (Emerson), Carlyle (Carrier) | $15,000–$40,000 | 15–25 years | Cold storage, distribution |
| Industrial Compressor (large) | Vilter (Emerson), Frick (Johnson Controls) | $60,000–$150,000 | 20–30 years | Large cold storage, ice plants |
| Refrigerated Trailer (48 ft) | Thermo King, Carrier Transicold, Wabash | $35,000–$55,000 | 10–15 years | Food distribution, cold chain |
| Refrigerated Trailer (53 ft) | Thermo King, Carrier Transicold, Great Dane | $45,000–$80,000 | 10–15 years | Long-haul cold chain |
Hussmann vs. Tyler (Carrier) vs. Hill Phoenix — Display Case Comparison
| Factor | Hussmann | Tyler (Carrier) | Hill Phoenix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Position | Largest US grocery refrigeration brand | Top 3, Carrier subsidiary | Top 3, Emerson subsidiary |
| Case Price (20 ft run) | $18,000–$30,000 | $15,000–$26,000 | $16,000–$28,000 |
| Energy Efficiency | Industry leading — E2 technology | Very good | Very good |
| Lender Recognition | Most recognized — grocery specialists | Very good | Very good |
| 5-Year Resale | 35–45% | 30–40% | 30–40% |
| OEM Financing | Through Ingersoll Rand Finance | Carrier Finance | Emerson Finance programs |
| Service Network | Largest grocery refrigeration service | Very good | Very good |
| Best For | Grocery, supermarkets | Full-service grocery, refrigerated | Convenience, foodservice |
Cold Storage Equipment Financing Options
| Financing Type | Provider | Best For | Typical Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Loan | Independent lenders, banks | Display cases, walk-ins, blast chillers | 36–72 months |
| OEM Financing | Carrier Finance, Emerson programs | New OEM equipment | 36–60 months |
| Reefer Trailer Loan | Stearns Bank, ENGS, First Western EF | Refrigerated trailers | 48–84 months |
| Restaurant/Food Equipment Lender | Specialty lenders | Walk-ins, blast chillers, display cases | 36–72 months |
| SBA 7(a) Loan | SBA-approved banks | Full cold storage facility buildout | Up to 10 years |
| Section 179 | Any lender | Year-end tax planning | Full deduction up to $1.16M (2024) |
Ready to Finance Cold Storage Equipment?
Get matched with lenders who understand cold storage financing — grocery display cases to industrial refrigeration systems, reefer trailers, and pharmaceutical cold chain equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions — Cold Storage Equipment Financing
Is a walk-in cooler financed as equipment or as a building fixture?
Walk-in coolers occupy a legal gray zone between equipment and building fixtures. Modular walk-in coolers — the kind assembled from insulated panels that can be disassembled and moved — are generally treated as personal property (equipment) by lenders. Built-in refrigerated rooms with concrete floors and permanent structural walls are treated more like building fixtures. Most lenders finance modular walk-in coolers as equipment, especially when they're from recognizable manufacturers (Hussmann, Tyler, Hill Phoenix) and can be demonstrated to be movable. For installations in leased facilities, a landlord waiver may still be required because refrigeration lines may connect to the building's electrical and plumbing systems.
What documentation is needed to finance cold storage equipment?
For established businesses (2+ years), cold storage equipment financing typically requires: business tax returns (2 years), 3–6 months bank statements, completed credit application, and the equipment quote or purchase order. For larger systems ($50,000+), lenders may also request a business financial statement and description of how the equipment supports revenue (e.g., what products will be stored, what customers are served). Food and beverage operations can typically demonstrate clear revenue connection to cold storage capacity. Pharmacy and pharmaceutical cold chain applications may require additional documentation about temperature compliance requirements.
Can I finance refrigerated trailers separately from my trucking fleet?
Yes. Refrigerated trailers (reefer trailers) can be financed separately from the trucks that pull them. Reefer trailer financing runs 48–84 months for new trailers and 36–60 months for used trailers. The refrigeration unit (Thermo King or Carrier unit) is considered part of the trailer for financing purposes — lenders finance the complete reefer trailer including the refrigeration unit as a single collateral item. Reefer trailers hold strong resale values due to demand from food distribution, making them attractive collateral. Many operations finance trailers through transportation-focused equipment lenders (Stearns Bank, First Western Equipment Finance, ENGS Commercial Finance) who have specialist knowledge of transport refrigeration equipment.
What is a blast chiller and does it finance differently than a walk-in cooler?
A blast chiller ($8,000–$40,000) rapidly reduces food temperature from cooking temperature (140°F+) to safe storage temperature (below 40°F) within 90 minutes — a requirement under HACCP food safety standards for commercial kitchens and food production operations. Blast chillers are standalone, self-contained units that are not typically fixed to the building and are treated as standard personal property equipment. They finance easily — most lenders recognize them as restaurant/food processing equipment with established secondary markets. Blast chiller financing mirrors commercial kitchen equipment financing with the same terms and documentation requirements.
How does pharma cold chain financing differ from food cold chain?
Pharmaceutical cold storage financing follows the same equipment financing structure as food cold storage, but lenders are increasingly interested in regulatory compliance documentation. FDA-compliant cold storage equipment (validated temperature ranges, monitoring systems, backup power) often commands premium prices and has more limited secondary markets than commercial food refrigeration equipment. Some specialty lenders — particularly those serving healthcare and pharmaceutical industries — have specific programs for pharma cold chain equipment. For startup pharmaceutical operations, lenders will want to see GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliance plans, FDA registrations, and customer contracts demonstrating the need for the cold chain investment.
What is the useful life of commercial refrigeration equipment for financing purposes?
Commercial refrigeration equipment life spans vary: walk-in coolers (15–25 years for the shell, 10–15 years for compressors/condensers), blast chillers (10–15 years), refrigerated display cases (10–15 years), industrial refrigeration compressors (15–25 years), and refrigerated trailers (10–15 years). Lenders typically finance refrigeration equipment for 36–84 months — well within the equipment's expected service life. For lenders, the key question is whether the equipment is early enough in its service life that it will remain operational throughout the loan term. Equipment already 5–7 years old may face shorter maximum terms or require larger down payments.