Americold Expands Into Convenience Store Distribution Through Partnership With On the Run

Rhea-AI Summary

Americold (NYSE: COLD) announced on Dec 23, 2025 a partnership with Australian convenience retailer On the Run (OTR) to provide storage and distribution services in Adelaide and to support OTR’s rapid national expansion.

The agreement extends Americold’s Asia-Pacific experience—supporting supply chains for more than 1,500 QSR locations—into petrol & convenience retail, and aligns with Americold’s 2026 growth priority to expand into adjacent sectors and invest in Australia and New Zealand.

Positive

• Signed partnership to provide storage and distribution for OTR in Adelaide (Dec 23, 2025)
• Proven scale: supports supply chains for >1,500 QSR locations in Asia‑Pacific
• Strategic expansion into convenience retail as a 2026 growth priority

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Current price $12.37 Pre-news trading level vs 52-week range

52-week range $10.10–$23.52 Price stood 22.48% above low and 47.41% below high

QSR locations served More than 1,500 locations Asia-Pacific quick service restaurant supply chains

QSR brands Five major brands Existing Asia-Pacific QSR customer base

Growth priority year 2026 Expansion into new sectors named as key growth priority

Market cap $3,478,073,189 Equity value prior to partnership announcement

200-day moving average $15.65 Stock trading below long-term trend level

Price change 1.31% 24-hour move ahead of the partnership news

Market Reality Check

$12.20 Last Close

Volume Volume 5,898,629 is at 0.84x the 20-day average (6,990,577), indicating subdued trading activity pre-news. normal

Technical Shares at $12.37 are trading below the 200-day MA $15.65 and well under the $23.52 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

COLD was up 1.31% while key industrial REIT peers were mostly flat to down (e.g., LXP -0.65%, TRNO -0.48%, STAG -0.24%), suggesting a stock-specific move tied to company developments rather than a sector-wide shift.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 16	Dividend declaration	Positive	+0.2%	Maintained Q4 2025 dividend with 5% year-over-year increase.
Dec 09	Investor conference	Positive	+6.3%	Conference participation with reaffirmed full-year 2025 financial outlook.
Nov 26	Sustainability award	Positive	+2.2%	Named 2025 GRESB Sector Leader for sustainability excellence.
Nov 06	Earnings update	Negative	-7.1%	Q3 2025 revenue decline, net loss and softer same-store metrics.
Oct 28	Operational milestone	Positive	-5.0%	New export certification and strong audit results in Ireland.

Pattern Detected

Recent news has mostly led to price moves that align with the qualitative tone of the announcements, with only one notable divergence on positive operational news.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Americold has balanced strategic and financial updates. The Q3 2025 results on Nov 6 showed revenue of $663.7M with a net loss of $11.4M, which coincided with a -7.13% move. Subsequent news emphasized operational strength and capital returns: a sustainability leadership recognition on Nov 26, investor conference participation with reaffirmed 2025 outlook on Dec 9, and an unchanged yet 5% higher year-over-year Q4 dividend on Dec 16. Today’s partnership fits the pattern of growth- and operations-focused announcements alongside ongoing capital management.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details Americold’s expansion into Australia’s petrol and convenience segment through an On the Run partnership, leveraging experience serving more than 1,500 QSR locations across five major brands in Asia-Pacific. In recent months, the company combined global partnerships, sustainability recognition, and a mixed Q3 2025 financial picture. Investors tracking this development may focus on how the arrangement supports 2026 sector expansion goals and interacts with existing capital allocation and growth initiatives.

Key Terms

temperature-controlled logistics technical

"a global leader in temperature-controlled logistics, real estate, and value-added services"

Temperature-controlled logistics is the system of storing, transporting and handling goods under specific temperature ranges—like a refrigerated pipeline for medicines, food or chemicals—to keep them safe and effective. Investors care because these services reduce spoilage, meet regulatory rules, and command higher fees and capital investment, so a company’s ability to manage or offer reliable temperature-controlled logistics affects revenue, costs and risk exposure.

cold chain technical

"represent significant opportunities for cold chain innovation, and Americold’s investments"

A cold chain is the continuous temperature-controlled system used to store and transport products that must stay cold, such as vaccines, biologic medicines, and some foods — think of a refrigerator on wheels and in warehouses that keeps items at specific temperatures from factory to customer. Investors watch cold chain strength because failures raise product loss, regulatory trouble, and extra costs, while reliable cold chains protect sales, margins, and a company’s reputation.

qsr technical

"success in the Quick Service Restaurant (“QSR”) sector. In Asia-Pacific alone"

QSR stands for quick-service restaurant, the category of eateries focused on fast, low-cost meals such as fast-food chains and counter-serve outlets. Investors watch QSRs because their performance reflects how well a chain converts steady customer traffic into profit through pricing, speed, location and franchise economics — think of them as retail stores for food where foot traffic, consistent unit costs and repeat customers determine whether an investment grows or stalls.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Collaboration Delivers High-Performance, Integrated Supply Chain Solutions to Support OTR’s Rapid Growth Across Australia in Petrol & Convenience (“P&C”)

ATLANTA and ADELAIDE, Australia, Dec. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Americold Realty Trust (NYSE: COLD) (“Americold” or the “Company”), a global leader in temperature-controlled logistics, real estate, and value-added services focused on the ownership, operation, acquisition, and development of temperature-controlled warehouses, today announced a new partnership with On the Run (“OTR”), one of Australia’s most recognized P&C brands. Americold will provide storage and distribution services to support OTR’s supply chain in Adelaide and its rapid national expansion.

Americold’s ability to manage fast-turning, high-touch, high-service inventory has been a cornerstone of its success in the Quick Service Restaurant (“QSR”) sector. In Asia-Pacific alone, Americold supports supply chains for more than 1,500 QSR locations across five major brands – a proven model that translates well to convenience retail. Building on this foundation, Americold is extending its expertise into the convenience segment through its partnership with OTR.

“Our team in Asia-Pacific has done an outstanding job of developing a strong leadership position in the QSR space, serving an impressive roster of some of the world’s most recognized brands,” said Rob Chambers, Chief Executive Officer of Americold. “With the addition of On the Run, we are now expanding this expertise into the convenience store market with another well-known industry leader. Expanding into new sectors is one of our key growth priorities for 2026, and we look forward to capturing additional opportunities in the new year.”

For OTR, this partnership comes at a critical time of rapid growth.

“What set Americold apart was their customer-first mindset, adaptability in navigating dynamic demands, and their speed and accuracy in execution, especially through this period of rapid national expansion for our business,” said Ralph Armiento, General Manager (Supply Chain), OTR Group. “We are confident that Americold’s dedication and innovative approach will be instrumental as OTR grows and continues to serve our communities and guests, helping us consistently deliver a ‘Never Run Out’ promise every single day.”

Australia and New Zealand represent significant opportunities for cold chain innovation, and Americold’s investments and operational readiness position the Company to meet evolving consumer expectations for freshness and convenience. This partnership is an important step in Americold’s expansion into adjacent sectors and underscores its commitment to building enduring relationships that create long-term value.

“This partnership reflects Americold’s ability to handle fast-turning, high-touch, high-service business models for multi-unit operators,” said Richard Winnall, President, International, Americold. “Our Adelaide operations are designed for speed, accuracy, and flexibility, which are critical for P&C retail. We look forward to growing our relationship with OTR and continuing to invest in Australia and New Zealand, markets with significant potential for cold chain innovation.”

About Americold Realty Trust, Inc.
Americold (NYSE: COLD) is a global leader in temperature-controlled logistics and real estate, with a more than 120-year legacy of innovation and reliability. With more than 230 facilities across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America – totaling approximately 1.4 billion refrigerated cubic feet – Americold ensures the safe, efficient movement of refrigerated products worldwide.

Our facilities are an integral part of the global food supply chain, connecting producers, processors, distributors, and retailers with tailored, value-added services supported by responsive and reliable supply chains. Leveraging deep industry expertise, smart technology, and sustainable practices, Americold delivers world-class service that creates lasting value for our customers and the communities we serve. Visit www.americold.com to learn more.

Contacts:
Americold Realty Trust, Inc.
Investor Relations
Telephone: 678-459-1959
Email: investor.relations@americold.com

Media Relations
Telephone: 762-821-9631
Email: mediarelations@americold.com

FAQ

What did Americold announce about OTR on Dec 23, 2025 (COLD)?

Americold announced a partnership to provide storage and distribution services for OTR in Adelaide and to support OTR’s national expansion.

How does the Americold–OTR deal affect Americold’s Australia operations (COLD)?

The partnership expands Americold’s Adelaide operations for faster, high‑service P&C distribution and signals additional investment in Australia and New Zealand.

What experience does Americold cite to support the OTR partnership (COLD)?

Americold cites managing fast‑turning, high‑service inventory and supporting supply chains for more than 1,500 QSR locations in Asia‑Pacific.

Is the Americold partnership with OTR tied to Americold’s 2026 strategy (COLD)?

Yes; Americold said expanding into adjacent sectors, including convenience retail, is a key growth priority for 2026.

Will the OTR deal expand beyond Adelaide immediately (COLD)?

The announcement says Americold will support OTR’s rapid national expansion, indicating plans to scale services beyond Adelaide.

How does OTR describe Americold’s performance in the partnership (OTR)?

OTR highlights Americold’s customer‑first mindset, adaptability, speed, and accuracy during OTR’s rapid expansion.