How Karis Cold delivers modern facilities to meet increasing demand for temperature-controlled storage
Combining extensive real estate knowledge with industry experience and readily available capital, Karis Cold (Karis) is a leading cold storage development partner. Serving more than 15 markets in the US, Karis develops, builds, and owns cold storage facilities for operators and users, and has a new development pipeline of more than $900 million.
Whether it’s for medicine, flowers, or food, demand for cold storage is increasing, and with the average age of cold storage assets in the US being 42 years, operators are demanding state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled facilities that meet modern requirements. Market changes like the rise of e-commerce are driving demand for cold storage, with predictions estimating that an additional 75-to-100 million square feet of cooler space will be required over the next five years.
“Karis was founded on a simple belief that cold storage should move as fast as the industries it serves,” opens Jake Finley, CEO. “We develop, lease, and manage speculative and build-to-suit refrigerated and frozen facilities across the US, and we’re creating a national platform of high-performance, move-in-ready facilities that bring flexibility, technology, and efficiency to a sector long overdue for modernization. Every building is engineered for multi-temperature use, rapid fit-out, and operational efficiency, so tenants can scale quickly without waiting for construction.
“We focus on giving customers real control – customizable footprints, clear expansion options, and modern specs that cut energy and maintenance costs. It’s a model designed for companies that want premium space without the burden of developing it themselves. In just a few years we’ve delivered more than one million square feet of new capacity in key logistics markets, proving that speed and design can coexist. Our team’s background in food logistics and industrial real estate allows us to blend practical know-how with bold thinking to create a new benchmark for cold-chain infrastructure.”
State-of-the-art systems
Considering the nature of the facilities Karis builds, technology plays a key role in the company’s operations, with most of the company’s sites featuring the Alta refrigeration system. “Alta is a state-of-the-art freon-based system that simplifies operations for tenants, and our service agreement includes warranty coverage, so tenants are never exposed to a major refrigeration expense,” Jake elaborates. “We also partner with Fricks Company to use their FSC shrinkage-compensating concrete floors, which deliver unmatched thermal integrity, strength, and long-term reliability, critical in harsh cold environments. Together, these innovations give our tenants a measurable performance edge and lower total cost of ownership from day one.”
Partnership, efficiency, and growth
In terms of expansion, Karis focuses on markets where demand for modern cold storage outpaces supply, and with demand increasing in several markets, the company is well positioned for substantial growth. “Aging infrastructure and population growth have created major gaps in states like Florida, the Carolinas, and the Midwest, and we move quickly to fill them with new, efficient capacity,” Jake confirms. “Site selection is data-driven. We look for proximity to ports, interstates, and population centers to give users direct access to the end consumer.
“Our newest developments in Florida, near Jupiter and Jacksonville, strengthen regional and import-driven food networks while providing modern, energy-efficient alternatives to outdated warehouses,” he adds. “In Chicago, Stockyards Cold represents the first modern spec cold storage facility built within city limits in decades. This project symbolizes what Karis stands for, bringing state-of-the-art design back to historic logistics centers and proving that innovation and urban access can thrive together.”
Commenting on the market, Jake shares how Karis is redefining cold storage standards. “Legacy cold storage is limiting progress in one of the most critical parts of the food chain, and we’re determined to change that,” he states. “Our design standards, partnership with Fricks on advanced flooring systems, and our focus on responsiveness all point toward one idea that cold storage can be better. The industry deserves facilities that perform like modern infrastructure, not industrial relics.
“Demand has been strong across categories, from regional food distributors to next-generation logistics providers who see our facilities as an operational advantage. What excites me most is the type of companies we’re attracting: forward-thinking operators who value partnership, efficiency, and growth. They don’t view Karis Cold as just a landlord, they see us as a long-term strategic ally. We are currently constructing a brand-new cold storage facility in Georgia using the tenant’s preferred general contractor. Our entrepreneurial approach allowed us to align the tenant, the contractor, the capital, and the lender to ensure a seamless development that will be delivered in 2026.”
Responsive leasing process
As our conversation closes, Jake turns his attention to what’s next for Karis. “Our focus for 2026 is simple: fill buildings faster, strengthen relationships, and tell our story louder,” he says. “We’re fine-tuning operations to make the leasing process even more responsive and transparent. The goal is to double our lease-up velocity while ensuring every customer interaction reinforces our reputation for quality and agility.
“Five years from now, we’d like Karis to be known nationwide as the leader in modern cold storage development, recognized for efficiency, design, and service,” Jake concludes. “We’re not chasing volume but rather building a network of flagship facilities that give tenants a competitive edge. Each site will showcase best-in-class design, advanced technology, and the flexibility to evolve with customer needs. Ultimately, we want Karis to stand for confidence in cold logistics development.”