Food & Beverage
Food & Beverage Warehouse Solutions
Storage systems engineered for cold chain compliance, FIFO rotation, and the throughput demands of food and beverage operations.
FIFO
Gravity-flow systems for perishable inventory rotation
15–20%
Faster case-pick rates with carton flow racking
40–60%
Cubic utilization with high-density racking
25–30%
Less product damage with proper lane and beam design
Food and beverage warehouse storage requires racking systems engineered for cold chain compliance, FIFO inventory rotation, and fire code commodity classifications specific to food products. These facilities typically use pallet flow racks for date-sensitive rotation, selective racking for mixed SKUs, and high-density systems for bulk beverage storage.
What We Understand
The Challenges Specific to Food & Beverage
Heavy Loads and FIFO Requirements
Beverage pallets routinely exceed 3,000 lbs, and standard racking must be sized for actual product weights. FIFO rotation for date-sensitive products isn't optional. Mechanical enforcement through pallet flow eliminates rotation failures that manual discipline can't guarantee.
Permitting Complexity for Food Commodities
Food products have specific fire code commodity classifications that affect sprinkler design. A system designed for general warehouse storage won't necessarily pass fire marshal inspection when filled with flammable packaging and liquid products. We coordinate permitting with fire marshals who scrutinize food and beverage facilities closely.
Temperature Zones and 24/7 Operations
Facilities with ambient, refrigerated, and freezer zones need racking designed for each environment. And 24/7 operations with tight delivery windows require installation scheduling that doesn't shut you down.
Our Approach
Designed for How Food Warehouses Actually Work
We design systems accounting for your actual product mix, pallet weights, temperature zones, and rotation requirements. For high-SKU pick areas, selective rack. For bulk staging, drive-in or push-back. For FIFO lanes with date-sensitive product, pallet flow. Cold-rated components where temperature requires it.
We handle permitting and coordinate with fire marshals. They scrutinize food and beverage facilities closely, and we design to pass first inspection, not to revise after a rejection. Install scheduling happens around your operations, including nights and weekends for 24/7 facilities.
Schedule a Site Visit
Recommended Systems
Storage Solutions We Commonly Install for Food & Beverage
Pallet Flow Racks
First-in, first-out gravity flow on roller tracks. The standard for perishable and dated inventory in food and beverage warehouses.
Learn More
Selective Pallet Racks
Direct access to every pallet location for high-SKU operations with frequent picking across a varied product mix.
Learn More
Carton Flow Racks
Case-pick FIFO flow for individual cartons, speeds up order picking in food distribution and e-commerce fulfillment operations.
Learn MoreProject Example
What This Looks Like in Practice
180,000 sq ft food distribution center in Houston: mixed system (selective rack for 2,000+ SKU pick areas + pallet flow lanes for high-velocity FIFO items), temperature zone separation, fire code-compliant sprinkler clearances, phased installation keeping operations running, passed fire marshal inspection on first visit.
Food and beverage operations can't afford to get storage wrong. FIFO compliance, temperature zones, fire code, health department access: it all has to work together from day one. That's why we start every project by understanding the product flow, not just the pallet count.
Jeff Andrews
CEO, Hammerhead Warehouse Systems
Related Industries
Working on a Food or Beverage Storage Project?
Let's start with a free site visit to assess your facility, product mix, and compliance requirements, no obligation.
Get a Free Consultation