February 2023

Unconventional or lesser-known ways of creating a retail or restaurant space have become all the rage recently for several reasons. COVID-19 was certainly unexpected, and coffee shops were among the restaurant brands hit the hardest. Most shops were forced to close their doors completely to stop the spread, while others were restricted to delivery and to-go orders. To stay competitive in the market, they had to adapt and be creative when it came to new consumer habits. These new, on-the-go habits of customers showed they didn’t always need a traditional storefront and could profit through other low-investment, sustainable options. 

Though speculations have shown coffee shops were headed in this “always-on-the-go” direction, and COVID-19 wasn’t the sole reason for this change, it absolutely expedited the trend. In response, brands came up with a few unique ways to continue serving their customers that are on trend: kiosks, carriages, and shipping containers.  

Kiosks 

A retail kiosk, or a mall kiosk or retail merchandising unit (RMU), is a store using a merchant-supplied kiosk, usually enclosed with the operator located in the center, and the customers approach the vendor across a counter. Canadian coffee brand Tim Hortons is pushing out their new concept, Tims Express, as a quick-serve coffee kiosk with no seating. Such projects are simple and installed in office buildings or malls with counters and minimal décor. Kiosks are great examples of alternative shops that have low investment and a short turnaround to completion in as little as 15 days. Even brands like Dairy Queen® China are considering installing kiosks for customers to access ice cream easily.   

Other benefits of kiosks: 

• Reduces business costs – kiosks are so quick to purchase and build that the installation time is significantly reduced compared to a traditional storefront.  

• Improves efficiency – Touch screens deliver a high-quality user experience that reduces the wait time in a line by providing all information to the customer. 

• Increased sales – as a direct result of shorter wait times, sales will increase and provide a high return on investment.  

• Little maintenance – kiosks come installed with all software, so few updates are needed.  

• The power to update signage – Digital solutions like kiosks allow you to change and update information in real-time, like a flash sale or any kind of communication.  

Container cafés and carriages 

This trend has been around for a few years but has really taken off since COVID-19 forced coffee shops to only accept drive-thru or takeout orders. Shipping containers, or container cafes, are actual shipping containers transformed into coffee shops or drive-thru restaurants. Carriages are like shipping containers, but they offer more of a food truck experience with ordering at a window. These are also stationary but very compact.  

They both have a seemingly endless list of advantages, but they’re mainly inexpensive and easy to install under a short construction period.  

For businesses big and small, cost-effectiveness is always top of mind, and finding less expensive solutions to expand profits and brand awareness is critical. Smaller, lesser-known builds are far more affordable than a regular-size shop because of their size and quickness to put together. The structures are simple with little décor, so construction time is significantly reduced and is an intelligent way to cut costs.  

Though these kinds of builds aren’t as involved or have a lengthy construction process, it doesn’t mean an owner is losing or missing out on anything. They all come equipped with the same amenities a typical shop might have – high-quality insulation, water inlets and outlets, and ways to secure the store after hours.   

More benefits of container cafés and carriages: 

• Durability - Shipping containers make great coffee shops or restaurants because of their strong structure. They’re made of steel which stands up to wear and tear, and a properly coated one will be resistant to the elements.  

• Portable - If you decide you simply don’t like the initial location of your carriage or you aren’t receiving as much profit as you planned, it’s easier and less costly to relocate than a storefront. 

• Little to no maintenance - Not only are these alternatives easy and quick to install, but they’re also easy to maintain.  

• Limited interruptions to property – These are so simple and quick to install, so there won’t be a lengthy construction phase.  

In addition to the many benefits listed above, all three builds are sustainable. Today’s consumer wants to spend their money with sustainable companies, so brands that want to stand out from the crowd choose renewable practices and lessen their footprint. When customers see a brand’s shipping container or carriage, they’ll see the brand in a good light and continue to support that business.  

How EIS can help  

As experts in the industry, Elkay Interior Systems has experience installing kiosks, carriages, and shipping containers with ease and in a timely manner. We worked with Manner Coffee in China to open two carriages in 2022, with plans to open five more this year. Global brands like Starbucks have also decided to open shipping container cafés to further their sustainability mission.  

We’re here to implement the best solutions for your business! To learn more about how we can help you with your project, get in touch with us. 

About Elkay Interior Systems   

Elkay Interior Systems (EIS) is a tight-knit team of industry-leading designers, commercial-grade manufacturers, innovative engineers, resourceful project managers, and sourcing experts committed to every stage of your project by guaranteeing quality and reliability. We stand out from the crowd with our 40+ years of global experience in the restaurant, hospitality, retail, and education markets. We believe in simplifying the complicated.