Refrigerated Deli Display Cases

Common Types and Configurations

• Counter deli display case: Counter-height case sized to sit at customer counter level. Operator serves from the rear, customer views and orders from the front. Catalog units run 48 to 118 inches wide with 3 to 8 rear doors and 1 shelf.
• High deli display case: Taller case with multiple shelves for higher product capacity and stronger merchandising sightlines. Catalog units run 48 to 118 inches wide with 3 to 8 rear doors and 2 to 4 shelves.
• Curved glass deli case: Curved glass front maximizes product view from the customer side. Most catalog units use curved glass.
• Square or straight glass deli case: Flat glass panels in a square frame. Cleaner sightlines, easier cleaning, often paired with LED accent lighting. Catalog includes square-glass double-duty cases.
• Slanted glass with rear storage: Slanted glass front with refrigerated storage compartment behind the display area. Operator stocks from rear without disturbing the merchandised front. Catalog includes slanted-glass styles up to 84 inches.
• Self-contained R290 refrigeration: Refrigeration system built into the unit, no external lines needed. Uses R290 hydrocarbon refrigerant, lower GWP than legacy refrigerants. Standard on most catalog units.

What to Look at Before You Buy

• Counter width and footprint: Catalog widths run 36 inches up to 118 inches. Measure counter run, factor in service workspace at both ends, and confirm aisle clearance for customer flow.
• Product line and case height: Counter deli height fits a single tier of trays and suits cut-to-order deli operations. High deli height fits 2 to 4 shelves and suits supermarket-style merchandising with prepackaged product, cheese wheels, and salads.
• Glass style: Curved glass maximizes product visibility from the customer side and reads as a traditional deli look. Square or straight glass cleans faster and pairs with LED accent lighting for prepared-foods merchandising. Slanted glass with rear storage suits high-turnover operations that need behind-counter restocking.
• Door count and shelves: Rear sliding or swinging doors give the operator access to product. Catalog units run 2 to 8 rear doors and 1 to 4 shelves. Match door count to staff workflow and shelf count to vertical product variety.
• Refrigeration capacity: Catalog HP runs 1/3 to 4/5. Smaller cases (36 to 48 inches) use 1/3 to 1/2 HP. Larger cases (72 to 118 inches) need 3/4 HP or higher. Total catalog capacity ranges 12 to 35.92 cubic feet.
• Refrigerant and compressor: Self-contained R290 units use natural hydrocarbon refrigerant and run on standard 115V single-phase. Embraco compressors appear on select Omcan units. Confirm 115V availability and a dedicated circuit on the larger cases.
• Finish: Stainless steel finish suits clean modern delis and supermarkets. Black or white painted finishes suit traditional sandwich shops and convenience-store counters. Pick the finish that matches the front-of-house aesthetic.
• Lighting: Standard LED interior lighting is energy-efficient and color-accurate for merchandising. Confirm replaceable LED strips and accessible interior for cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a refrigerated deli display case?

A refrigerated deli display case is a glass-front refrigerated cabinet that holds cooked meats, cheeses, deli salads, prepared sandwiches, and grab-and-go items at safe serving temperatures. The glass front merchandises the product to customers while the case holds temperature. Delis, supermarkets, sandwich shops, and convenience stores use them at the counter where staff cut, weigh, and serve the product on demand. The case keeps product at the right temperature, displays it through curved or straight glass, and lights it with interior LED strips. Self-contained models include the refrigeration system inside the case; remote models connect to an external compressor.

What is the difference between a counter deli case and a high deli case?

A counter deli case is built at customer counter height, typically 36 to 42 inches tall at the top. It holds a single tier of trays and suits cut-to-order operations where the staff member faces the customer across the case. A high deli case is taller, with 2 to 4 shelves stacked vertically behind the glass. It holds significantly more product, gives stronger merchandising sightlines from the customer side, and suits supermarket-style operations with prepackaged deli items, cheese wheels, and salads on multiple levels. Counter cases are common in traditional delis and sandwich shops. High cases are common in supermarket deli sections and prepared-foods departments.

What size refrigerated deli display case do I need?

Match case width to counter run and product line. Small delis, sandwich shops, and convenience stores producing a focused deli menu need a 36 to 48 inch case. Mid-size delis and supermarket counters need a 60 to 72 inch case with 4 doors. Full supermarket deli sections and high-volume sandwich operations need a 96 to 118 inch case with 6 to 8 doors. Choose counter height for cut-to-order service or high deli for prepackaged merchandising. Match HP to case size: 1/3 to 1/2 HP for cases up to 60 inches, 3/4 HP or higher for cases 72 inches and up.

Related Categories

• Meat & Deli Display Cases
• Refrigerated Bakery Display Cases
• Glass Door Merchandiser Refrigerators
• Countertop Refrigerated Display Cases

Shop by Brand

• Coldline
• Kool-It
• Leader Refrigeration
• Omcan
• Pro Kold
• TRUE
• Turbo Air