You want to open a restaurant or bar but you’re intimidated by the risk factors and high costs. There’s a way to make your dream of owning a restaurant come true while keeping your costs down — shipping containers. You’ve heard of food trucks, but a shipping container restaurant? Believe it or not, they’re actually creating a design revolution.

Shipping containers are being used to create offices, garages, and even swimming pools. We’ll show you how you can use them to make owning your own restaurant a reality — keep reading!

Ready to Go

The number one reason to create a container bar or restaurant?  Shipping containers are readily available.

The US imports way more than it exports. Many of those containers go only one way — from Asia to the US. That means there’s a steady supply of empty containers sitting around, waiting to be used. You’ll have a lot of choices when it comes to building with containers.

One choice to consider is used versus new. You can get a brand new container that’s in perfect condition, although used is probably your best choice. Used containers can be purchased cheaper. And as we mentioned, one way containers are very lightly used, so they won’t need to have much if any refurbishing done.

Cost Effective

Because there’s so much supply and not much demand (for now), you can pick up containers for cheap. On average, a mildly used container will costs less than $5,000.

One small cost associated with shipping containers: you’ll have to prep them. Be prepared to spend a little money adding insulation and windows to your container. 

The money you save with shipping containers can be poured into start-up marketing expenses in getting your restaurant or bar off the ground. 

Sustainable Construction

As we mentioned, the supply of shipping containers is high. Because of this, shipping container construction is Eco-friendly and sustainable.

With traditional construction, there’s a lot of materials and waste that go into it. However with container construction, they’re ready to go and only need a little bit of modification to fit your needs.

Plus, there isn’t as much energy used to move containers around versus building a restaurant from scratch. Building with shipping containers helps recycle and re-use materials that are already there and helps keep your carbon footprint down.

Flexible Design

You’d think that because shipping containers are only available in sizes from eight to 40 feet, your design options are limited. That’s simple not true.

Yes, your restaurant will be boxy-looking. But once you get creative, you’ll see how many options you have when building with containers. One container makes a tiny yet tidy little restaurant. Push a few more together, and you open up space.

Bonus points if your restaurant has an industrial or rough-edged concept! Sometimes an unfinished container is just the look you’re going for. You no doubt have a vision of what you want your restaurant to look like. Shipping containers can make that dream a reality.

Fast Set Up

When you build the traditional way, there’s sometimes a lot of “hurry up and wait”. Even when leasing a space, you might have to do some remodeling to make it to your standards.

Container restaurants can be put together fast. They’ve already got a ceiling, walls, and a floor, they just need a little modification.

After adding insulation, decor, and whatever other modifications you need, your container is ready to go. You can even find a company like EMS to make changes and deliver the containers ready to use.

Mobility

These containers are meant to be shipped. As such, they’re easy to move around. What does this mean for you as a start-up business? You can place you container restaurant or bar in whatever area makes the most sense for you.

For example, is there an empty lot that’s close to a high-traffic road? That’s prime real estate for a new restaurant. Although they’re not as mobile as a food truck, you’ll find container restaurants more flexible than traditional spaces. If you ever decide to franchise, you’ll have a built-in plan for expansion, too.

Energy Efficient

Utility bills can be staggering for restaurants. Think of all the water, heating, gas, energy, etc. that you need to run your business.

When putting together your restaurant or bar, you can make it more energy efficient. Think about using some of your construction savings to invest in things like solar panels or high-efficiency appliances.

Just using a shipping container is an Eco-conscious choice. You can go greener with just a few modifications.

Dream Kitchen

We all know the kitchen is the heart of a restaurant. Having good flow-through allows your servers and cooks to be efficient and safe.

When you use an existing space, you have to work with what you have. A shipping container kitchen can be built any way you want it to be.

You know what would work best for you and your crew. Container construction allows you to get as creative as you need to be.

Cool Designs

We’ve given you a lot of practical reasons to build your restaurant out of shipping containers. We’ll give you another reason that’s totally arbitrary but might just sell you on this concept.

Container restaurants are cool. Think about how unique and eye-catching they look even before you decorate it the way you want.

Your amazing food is the main draw, but having an incredible design will get a lot of attention.

Build Your Shipping Container Restaurant or Bar Today

You already have enough on your plate trying to get your restaurant off the ground. Building a shipping container bar or restaurant can save you cash, is sustainable, looks amazing, and more.

You have way more options when you design your space with shipping containers. Plus, with the money you save, you can pour it back into your business.

Whether you want to build from new, used, or modified containers, we’ve got tons of options for you. Check out all of the modification services we offer and make your restaurant or bar a reality today!