KO Storage
KO Storage is a privately held self-storage operator running hundreds of facilities across 26 U.S. states, serving residential, commercial, student, and vehicle-storage customers with month-to-month leases and online rental.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What KO Storage does
KO Storage is a privately held, direct-to-consumer self-storage operator doing business as KO Storage under KO Management, LLC, a Minnesota-domiciled LLC founded in 2016. The company operates hundreds of self-storage facilities across 26 U.S. states spanning the Midwest, South, Southeast, Northeast, and Southwest, with its corporate headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Founded by Jon Marshalla and Andrew Freeman, with Miles Pfleghardt serving as CTO, KO Storage has built a regionally distributed network of storage properties targeting residential, commercial, student, and vehicle-storage customers.
The company offers a standardized portfolio of storage products including traditional self-storage units in sizes from 5x5 to 20x35, drive-up storage, climate-controlled units, vehicle/RV/boat storage with units up to 10x40, dedicated business and commercial storage, and student storage solutions. Each facility features standardized security and convenience infrastructure including electronic gated access with personalized codes, 24/7 digital video recording, climate control options, drive-up access, wide drive lanes, and well-lit premises. The underlying technology platform is a self-storage facility management system supporting 24/7 online reservations, digital lease signing, online bill pay, autopay, and account management through kostorage.com. The platform does not expose a public API, does not incorporate AI/ML features, and does not have a mobile application.
KO Storage generates revenue primarily through recurring monthly rental fees on month-to-month leases, supplemented by a one-time $29.99 administrative fee per move-in. Pricing varies by location, unit size, and feature tier. The company acquires customers almost entirely through direct, digital channels, with its website and locally optimized SEO landing pages serving as the principal funnel; no resellers, brokers, or third-party distribution channels are used. Customer reviews at sampled locations consistently rate 4.4-4.9 out of 5 stars. The go-to-market is asset-heavy and reliant on real-estate rollup economics: expansion is driven by adding facilities and entering new geographies, and the deployment of a Juniper Square investor portal suggests the company is preparing for institutional capital engagement to support continued facility acquisitions or development.
KO Storage firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KO Storage
- Legal name
- KO Management, LLC
- Website
- https://kostorage.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- KO Storage is a privately held self-storage operator running hundreds of facilities across 26 U.S. states, serving residential, commercial, student, and vehicle-storage customers with month-to-month leases and online rental.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KO Storage industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Self-Storage Services
- NAICS
- General Warehousing and Storage (493110), Other Warehousing and Storage (49319)
- SIC
- Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Standard/Non-Climate Self-Storage (HSAKAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Climate-Controlled Self-Storage (HSAKAGAA), Vehicle & RV/Boat Self-Storage (HSAKAGAC), Student & Seasonal Self-Storage (HSAKAGAE), Storage Insurance (Self-Storage Unit Contents Coverage) (HSAKANAF)
Keywords
Where KO Storage is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
KO Storage business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Self-Storage Unit Rentals: Primary revenue from renting self-storage units to residential and commercial customers on month-to-month leases. Customers pay recurring rental fees based on unit size and features. Additional fees include admin fees (one-time $29.99 upon move-in) and potentially insurance fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Standard self-storage units with basic access |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Climate-controlled storage units |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Drive-up storage units |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Vehicle/RV/Boat storage |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
KO Storage product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KO Storage rents self-storage units to residential and commercial customers on a month-to-month basis through hundreds of facilities across 26 U.S. states. Units range from small 5x5 lockers to extra-large 20x35 spaces and include drive-up access, climate-controlled options, and vehicle/RV/boat parking. Customers find, reserve, sign leases, and pay entirely online through the company's website.
Product overview
KO Storage is a self-storage company operating a network of storage facilities across 26 U.S. states. The company's core offering consists of traditional self storage units available in various sizes (5x5 to 20x35), supplemented by specialized storage products including drive-up storage, climate-controlled storage, vehicle/boat/RV storage, student storage, and commercial spaces. All facilities operate on a month-to-month rental model with online payment options, secure gated access, and extended access hours. The product portfolio is unified under the KO Storage brand, with individual facilities offering different feature combinations depending on location.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Self Storage Units Traditional self-storage units in sizes ranging from 5x5 to 20x35, rented month-to-month to residential and small business customers for personal belongings, furniture, and business inventory.
- Drive-Up Storage Units Storage units designed so customers can park their vehicle directly adjacent to the unit, allowing convenient loading and unloading of belongings via wide driveways and aisles.
- Climate-Controlled Storage Units Temperature-regulated storage units that maintain a consistent interior temperature to protect sensitive items such as electronics, wooden furniture, photographs, documents, and leather goods from heat, cold, and humidity damage.
- Vehicle, Boat, and RV Storage Enclosed and outdoor storage solutions sized for cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles, and other recreational vehicles, with roll-up double-wide doors at larger sizes and, at certain locations, heated units.
- Personal Storage Self-storage units tailored to individual consumers seeking to maintain a controlled and organized lifestyle at home, used for decluttering, downsizing, moves, military deployments, and other life events.
- Business and Commercial Storage Storage solutions for small businesses, including units for inventory, supplies, equipment, and documents, plus commercial space rentals at select locations to keep business items separate from personal storage.
- Student Storage Short-term self-storage solutions designed for college and university students needing to store dorm room belongings between academic terms and during summer breaks.
Quantifiable outcome
- Customer satisfaction ratings of 4.4-4.9 out of 5 stars across reviewed locations
Companies that use KO Storage
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
KO Storage technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
KO Storage partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
KO Storage competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Public Storage: The largest publicly traded self-storage REIT in the U.S. with thousands of facilities. Public Storage is the dominant incumbent in the same product category (month-to-month self-storage units with climate-controlled and vehicle options) and serves as the primary benchmark for KO Storage's market and competitive dynamics.
- Extra Space Storage: Second-largest U.S. self-storage REIT with a national footprint and similar product mix (standard units, climate-controlled, vehicle storage). Recently merged with Life Storage, further increasing competitive intensity against independent operators like KO Storage.
- CubeSmart: Major publicly traded self-storage REIT operating across the U.S. with comparable product offerings (drive-up, climate-controlled, vehicle storage). Competes directly with KO Storage in many of the same geographies and customer segments.
- National Storage Affiliates Trust (NSA): Public self-storage REIT that grew by acquiring independent regional operators, directly relevant as a potential acquirer of KO Storage. Operates in many of the same secondary markets where KO Storage has built its footprint.
- U-Haul International: Dominant moving and self-storage brand with thousands of U-Haul-owned and partner facilities across the U.S. While primarily a moving company, its self-storage offering directly competes with KO Storage's residential and vehicle-storage customers.
- Life Storage (now Extra Space): Was a top-tier U.S. self-storage REIT before merging with Extra Space Storage in 2023. Included because its former standalone operating model — multi-state, climate-controlled and vehicle offerings, online rental — closely mirrors KO Storage's positioning.
Direct peers
- StorageMart: Large privately held self-storage operator with facilities across the U.S. and Canada. Closest direct peer to KO Storage in scale, business model (private, multi-state, online rental, mixed product portfolio), and market positioning.
- Metro Self Storage: Privately held regional self-storage operator offering drive-up, climate-controlled, and vehicle storage with online reservations. Comparable in operating model and customer experience to KO Storage, particularly in Midwestern and Southeastern markets.
- Simply Self Storage: Privately held self-storage company operating facilities across multiple U.S. states with month-to-month leases, online rental, and a mixed product offering (standard, climate-controlled, vehicle). Directly comparable in scale and operating approach to KO Storage.
- Prime Storage: Private self-storage operator with a multi-state U.S. footprint, offering standard and climate-controlled units through an online rental platform. Comparable to KO Storage in customer experience, product mix, and growth-stage profile.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KO Storage financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KO Storage leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
KO Storage funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KO Storage M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KO Storage
What does KO Storage do?
KO Storage rents self-storage units to residential and commercial customers on a month-to-month basis through hundreds of facilities across 26 U.S. states. Units range from small 5x5 lockers to extra-large 20x35 spaces and include drive-up access, climate-controlled options, and vehicle/RV/boat parking. Customers find, reserve, sign leases, and pay entirely online through the company's website.
Is KO Storage a public or private company?
KO Storage is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was KO Storage founded?
KO Storage was founded in 2016. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is KO Storage based?
KO Storage is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does KO Storage make money?
One revenue line is on record: self-Storage Unit Rentals.
Who are KO Storage's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Public Storage, Extra Space Storage, CubeSmart, National Storage Affiliates Trust (NSA), U-Haul International and Life Storage (now Extra Space). Direct peers are StorageMart, Metro Self Storage, Simply Self Storage and Prime Storage.
Does KO Storage have an API?
No public API is recorded for KO Storage.
What industry is KO Storage in?
KO Storage's product category is Self-Storage Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAKAGAB, Standard/Non-Climate Self-Storage, with a secondary code of HSAKAGAA, Climate-Controlled Self-Storage. Its NAICS code is 493110 and its SIC code is 4220.