Containers are economical, ecological, durable and, above all, portable. They can also make you money. You just need a key idea.

That’s right, those huge metal boxes that are used to transport cargo abroad can be used to house businesses of all kinds, all over the country.

Due to high construction costs and new innovations in architecture, an increasing number of companies today are turning to expandable container houses facilities to house creative businesses.

1. Restaurant

Container restaurants will give you something you’ve never seen before: a building that can be moved. When starting a new restaurant, you must find a new location and then spend thousands of dollars renovating the space and customizing the kitchen for your specific menu.

But when you have a portable container restaurant you have many more options. You can use your mobile restaurant for seasonal deals, renovating existing restaurants, trying out new locations, project-based contracts, and much more.

2. Pop-up shop

Another good idea for a container business is to use it as a unique pop-up store. Many business owners are now setting up their mobile retail stores this way. It is a cost-effective way to display items in busy metropolitan areas.

For example, if you have an online store, you can explore storage container business ideas to expand into a physical space. Pop-up stores are especially popular for short-term and seasonal business.

3. Community development

Governments often look for ways to help their local economies prosper. Developing local businesses and communal spaces in your neighborhoods is a great way to grow a community while helping the local economy at the same time. Because shipping containers provide an inexpensive and creative way to quickly establish local business hotspots.

4. Cafeteria

One of the most important aspects of any coffee shop is the atmosphere it offers. Another idea for containers is a repurposed shipping container cafe provides a coveted creative and eco-friendly atmosphere, two common values ​​of many independent cafes that we know and love so you can not only create a container space but make money.

5. Hotels and Airbnb

If you’re interested in combining aesthetically pleasing design with green living, a expandable container homes or hotel may be the creative business idea you’re looking for. Shipping containers act as the perfect blank slate for an incredibly unique architectural design. Whether you want to start an industrial-themed hotel, an inspiring artsy living space, or a sustainable, solar-powered hostel, using shipping containers as a foundation is a great first step.