U.S. Walk-in Coolers Market Size - By Product Type, By Temperature Range, By Power Consumption, By Storage Capacity, By Curtain Type, By Application, By Distribution Channel, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

U.S. Walk-in Coolers Market Size

The U.S. walk-in coolers market was estimated at USD 701.9 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% between 2025 and 2034. The growth of supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and other food service enterprises requires additional walk-in coolers. These businesses have particular refrigeration needs for their perishables which include dairy products, meats, fruits and vegetables. Additionally, there is further market demand for walk-in coolers due to food producers, distributors, and retailers wanting to maintain the quality and safety of food. These facilities require dependable refrigeration systems for bulk food storage.
 

Moreover, biological samples, medications, and vaccines require controlled temperature storage and so many pharmaceutical companies and laboratories. For pharmaceutical storage, walk-in coolers offer controlled security and temperature stability. To increase the shelf-life of fresh flowers and maintain their quality before retail or customer purchase, florists and wholesalers count on walk-in coolers. They help preserve the quality and appearance of flowers. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, commercial refrigeration consumes approximately 10% of the energy used by commercial buildings, which highlights the need for energy efficiency in the market.
 

U.S. Walk-in Coolers Market Trends

• The U.S. walk-in cooler market is undergoing a rapid shift with the adoption of modular and customizable designs, providing greater flexibility, efficiency, and scalability across various sectors such as food service, retail, and pharmaceuticals. With businesses trying to optimize space and reduce operational disruptions, modular units offer ease of configuration, expansion, or relocation. These units are constructed with prefabricated panels and standard parts which allow systems to be installed faster and at lower labor costs, while also reducing downtime during upgrades or replacements.
   
• Moreover, customization extends beyond dropping, access points, and technology integration, and includes unit dimensions ensuring that businesses meet their storage and energy goals. This trend also supports sustainability efforts as modular systems incorporate advanced insulation materials that lower environmental impact. In urban and restrained environments, modular coolers provide adaptable solutions enabling businesses to remain compliant with regulatory standards tailored to variable storage demands. This shift towards modular and customizable features in walk-in coolers illustrates the increasing focus on efficiency, sustainability, and resilient design innovation throughout the market.
   

Trump Administration Tariffs

• The tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration on imports from China, especially on refrigeration components and electronic parts, significantly altered the cost structure of the U.S. walk-in cooler market. Chinese imports which included electronic parts and refrigeration machinery received greater taxes which required U.S. manufacturers and distributors to inflate their prices. The food service and retail markets were largely dominated by the exorbitant prices. These costs damaged the budget of Americans and increased their taxation burden. 
   
• These new tariffs forced U.S. manufacturers to re-evaluate their supply chains as most of them depended heavily on single source vendors. Instead of relying on tariffed Chinese vendors, companies actively shifted towards tariff free areas such as Mexico and Eastern Europe. The opened-up procurement areas accompanied with lowered costs allowed greater flexibility and ensured smoother access to components essential to set up the supply chains.
   
• As a result, the assembling and creation of critical walk-in cooler components shifted to Vietnam, Turkey, and India. Though this approach mitigated tariff issues, it performed short term problems such as vendor onboarding, sourcing components, maintaining quality standards, and complicated logistics.
   

U.S. Walk-in Coolers Market Analysis

 

Based on product type, the market is classified into self-contained, remote condensing, multiplex walk-ins. In 2024, the self-contained segment generated revenue of USD 452.2 million and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 5% during 2025 to 2034.
 

• In the walk-in cooler industry, the self-contained segment is a crucial category resource with increased popularity due to its ease of installation and plug-and-play attributes. Self-contained units have their refrigeration system built into the cooler and unlike remote refrigeration systems, it manages to be more efficient for small and medium-sized businesses, including restaurants, convenience stores, and floral shops.
   
• These units often sustain lower maintenance and investment costs, while offering enhanced accessibility. Even in tight urban settings where external condensing refrigeration units are impractical, the all-in-one design of self-contained units proves advantageous. Innovations like energy-efficient compressors and smart temperature management systems are enhancing the attractiveness of self-contained units.
   

Based on material, the U.S. walk-in cooler market is categorized into 20F – 28F, 28F – 32F, 32F – 35F, 36F – 40F. In 2024, the 20F – 28F segment accounted for over 41.3% revenue share and is expected to grow at the rate of 5.3% till 2034.
 

• A temperature range of 20°F – 28°F is ideal for storing perishables like dairy products, meat, fresh products, beverages and wine, soft drinks, and even beer ensuring freshness and extending shelf life. Additionally, floral shops also utilize walk-in coolers at these temperatures to maintain the quality and longevity of flowers and other plants. Healthcare and retail industries, alongside food and beverages, seek walk-in coolers operating at these temperatures to store products in an optimal environment, which drives demand for these products. These coolers provide reliable and dependable temperature control while meeting strict food safety and quality standards.
   

Based on curtain type, the U.S. walk-in cooler market is categorized into strip curtain, air curtain. In 2024, the strip curtain segment accounted for over 65.57% market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 4.8% till 2034
 

• The strip curtain segment of the walk-in coolers market in the U.S. is crucial for energy and temperature control in commercial refrigerated units. These curtains are composed of flexible PVC strips which serve the purpose of reducing airflow loss when doors are repeatedly opened in restaurants, supermarkets, and food storage areas. Strip curtains improve a refrigerator’s energy efficiency by reducing the need for a compressor and protecting the unit’s internal components from dust, pests, and other foreign materials. They can easily be installed at very low costs which increases their popularity with OEMs and retrofitting in the refrigeration industry.
   

U.S. Walk-in Coolers Market Shares

• The U.S. walk-in cooler industry is moderately fragmented, with prominent players, such as American Panel Corporation, Amerikooler, Bally Refrigerated Boxes, Inc., Bush Refrigeration, Carrier Corporation, Commercial Refrigerator Door Company, and Craig Industries holding a market share of 10-15%.
   
• American Panel Corporation concentrates on the manufacturing of custom refrigeration systems which claims precision engineering along with high performance, energy efficiency, and meeting the ever-increasing standards set. The company focuses on sustainable outlines and harshly controlled systems which emphasize fuel containment along with greatly controlled temperature frameworks which support to regulate food sanitation and saving operational expenditures. American Panel prides itself on its advanced insulation technologies and effective temperature control systems.
   
• Amerikooler emphasizes the energy efficiency implemented in enhancing a walk-in cooler’s rugged durability and its adaptation for various commercial settings. The company continues to renew restyle and enhance its product lines through modular construction, eco-friendly refrigerants, and digital controls which provide flexibility for installation as well as reliable endurance under harsh conditions over an extended time period.
   

U.S. Walk-in Coolers Market Companies

Major players operating in the walk-in coolers industry are:

• American Panel
• Amerikooler
• Bally Refrigerated Boxes
• Bush Refrigeration
• Carrier
• Commercial Refrigerator Door
• Craig Industries
• Everidge
• Imperial Brown
• Kolpak
• Master-Bilt
• Nor-Lake
• Polar King International
• SRC Refrigeration
• Thermo-Kool
• US Cooler
   

U.S. manufacturers of walk-in coolers compete for market share by focusing on technological advancement and leadership in energy optimization, insulation, and smart system integration. Cost, temperature control accuracy, modularity, energy consumption, and food safety and environmental compliance remain as critical factors of purchasing decision. Brand credibility also emerges as a deciding factor in buyer preference in the food service, healthcare, and retail sectors. 
 

Within these areas are high-efficiency refrigeration for fast-casual dining restaurants, modular customizable coolers for grocery stores, and cold storage for pharmaceuticals. Other participants like American Panel and Amerikooler are responding to these demands through customized competitive solutions. Their flexibility in highly customizable designs, robust materials, and compliance with changing legislation on energy and safety means other participants in the market have these circumstantial advantages available in these specialized market domains.
 

U.S.  Walk-in Coolers Industry News

• In July 2023, Viessmann Refrigeration Solutions acquired a majority stake in BMIL Technologies, a refrigerated warehouses and cold storage company based in North Carolina. The acquisition accelerated Viessmann’s transition towards natural refrigerant solutions for clean and cold rooms in the North American market.
   
• In May 2023, Imperial Brown, a leading manufacturer of custom walk-in coolers and freezers, began production at its fourth manufacturing plant, located in Tucson, Arizona. With 102,000 square feet under roof, the factory will reduce shipping costs and lead time for delivery of walk-in coolers and freezers for clients in the Southwestern U.S., including the states of Arizona, southern California, Nevada, New Mexico, and portions of Utah and Colorado.
   

The U.S. walk-in coolers market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) (Thousand Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Product Type

• Self-contained
• Remote condensing
• Multiplex walk-ins

Market, By Temperature Range

• 20F – 28F
• 28F – 32F
• 32F – 35F
• 36F – 40F

Market, By Power Consumption

• Up to 1 KWH
• 2 to 3 KWH
• 4 to 5 KWH
• Above 5 KWH

Market, By Storage Capacity

• Up to 2 tonnes
• 3 to 5 tonnes
• 6 to 10 tonnes
• Above 10 tonnes

Market, By Curtain Type

• Strip curtain
• Air curtain

Market, By Application

• Food and beverages
• Healthcare & medical facilities
• Pharmaceuticals
• Floral
• Retail
• Others (agriculture, mortuary, etc.)

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Direct sales
• Indirect sales