How Restaurants Choose Takeout Containers

When your guests order a takeout meal or want to take their leftovers home, you must provide them with containers to carry your delicious food. But not just any container will do. You must search the market for the most appropriate and appealing options available. Read on to learn how restaurants choose takeout containers so you can select the best products for your business.

Evaluate Your Restaurant’s Requirements

Some restaurants will begin this process by assessing their business’s packaging needs. For example, if your restaurant serves hot dishes that customers will need to reheat, consider investing in plastic microwave-safe containers. That way, your clients won’t have to worry about transferring their food to a bowl or plate before warming it up.

If your restaurant needs containers that can also function as advertisements, pick boxes that allow you to display your branding on them. This will benefit your restaurant by allowing others to see where your customers purchased their tasty looking items and encouraging them to visit your establishment. Reviewing your needs ahead of time will guide your search and enable you to find products that fit your requirements.

Research What Your Customers Want

Another critical step that restaurants take when choosing takeout containers is determining what their customers want from them. For example, as you do market research, you may discover that your clients want products that are easy to open for convenience. In this case, hinged to-go containers fit that requirement, as they feature easy-to-open-and-close locks that will also keep food safe on the ride home.

You may also find that your customers want more eco-friendly packaging. Your restaurant can fill that need by purchasing biodegradable natural kraft or sugarcane boxes. These choices will make your clients happy, and you may even attract new customers who take the time to support enterprises that focus on lowering their carbon footprints. Plus, this choice will make you feel good about taking your business in a new, greener direction.

Consider the Size of the Containers

Restaurants also take sizing into account when shopping for takeout containers. It’s critical to avoid selecting boxes that are too small for your food items, as your customers and staff may struggle to fit food into containers with insufficient space. If your employees attempt to cram food into too-small containers, it may ruin the presentation, reflecting poorly on your kitchen.

On the other hand, it’s also important not to buy containers that are too large. If you do so, your customer’s food may shift in the box during the car ride home, which could lead to spills. Strive to find a balance between the two, ensuring a happier client in the end. That way, they will be ready to return to your restaurant for more delicious meals.

When you believe you have found a container in the right size, confirm that you will be able to easily stack them in your restaurant’s storeroom. The last thing you need are containers that occupy too much space or disrupt the flow of service.

Find Containers Featuring Strong Material

It is essential for restaurants to look at the strength of takeout containers before they buy them. As you evaluate options, ensure the boxes you choose feature a durable material that will stay strong as customers transport them.

If you want to give your clients containers that won’t break easily or let sauces, juices, or salad dressings soak through, consider purchasing plastic containers. These products are sturdy and won’t crack under the weight of their contents. That will make transportation easier for your customers, who will have more confidence in your judgment.

Think About the Container’s Design

Restaurants must also focus on the designs of the containers. For example, some may find it advantageous to use boxes that feature compartments, as they can help maintain portion control and stop employees from giving customers excess food. They can also prevent food items from mixing, which may meet the preferences of clients who prefer to keep food items separate.

It’s also critical not to overlook the aesthetics of the containers. Ensure that you stock your storeroom with boxes that have a professional appearance. That will make your customers feel more confident that what they are about to consume will taste delicious and satisfy their appetites.

Restaurants may also find benefits in using containers with transparent lids. These allow restaurant employees to show off the results of their hard work to customers, as well as to passersby who may feel inspired to buy the same item from the restaurant.

Confirm It Can Maintain the Food’s Temperature

Owners should also look at the container’s ability to maintain a food item’s temperature. Although your clients can easily reheat their dishes, they will appreciate food that arrives hot. Temperature control will also allow them to worry less about spoilage.

In this case, restaurateurs may want to explore the use of aluminum foil containers, since they are exceptionally skilled at keeping food hot. Plastic containers can also achieve this goal, as the tight seal will prevent the items inside from losing their freshness.

Look at the Supplier’s Reputation

One last step that restaurants must take when buying takeout containers is to investigate the reputation and history of their chosen vendor. As you review full-service restaurant suppliers, make sure you pick one that has earned rave reviews from its customers, particularly when it comes to its ability to provide quality products and on-time deliveries. Otherwise, you may choose a company that offers substandard products and late delivery, preventing you from providing your clients with the service they expect and deserve.

You should also find out how long a packaging supplier has been in operation. If it has a long business history, you can feel more confident that it is familiar with the industry’s standards and knows exactly what you are looking for when it comes to service. However, a less experienced company may be more prone to making mistakes that could harm your business.

After learning what restaurants look for in takeout containers, you can apply these same principles to your business and pick boxes that meet your requirements. The right containers will enable your customers to enjoy their meals and make them feel good about investing their time and money in your restaurant.