Tapi Go! is a newly opened takeout restaurant in Toronto, ON which offers Brazilian street food. They specialize in tapioca crepes and offer sweet and savoury options in addition to coffee, cheese buns and more!
We were able to sit down with the restaurant owner, Clarissa Aguiar, to ask her a few questions about her establishment and packaging process.
The Issue
Generally speaking, many start-ups tend to choose generic packaging as a way to reduce their operating costs. However, in the case of Tapi Go!, Clarissa has a clear vision and wants to open more franchises in the future.
With this in mind, Clarissa wanted to select packaging which would help her effectively market her products and build a strong brand identity.
Moreover, she preferred packaging which would be sustainable and functional.
This was very important to consider because the main product being offered – a tapioca crepe, is eaten with hands. By having packaging that is functional as cutlery, she can ensure that her customers can directly eat the crepe without transferring it to another plate and minimize waste.
Nonetheless, Clarissa had difficulty looking for a supplier which could do exactly what she wanted, while maintaining high quality.
Luckily, as she was browsing through her Instagram she stumbled across a story from LeKAC Sourcing and was able to start a conversation with one of our design specialists!
The Solution
Clarissa already knew what she wanted for her packaging, but with the help of LeKAC Sourcing, she was successfully able to bring her ideas to life. This includes custom:
- crepe sleeves
- pillow boxes
- paper boxes
- paper bags
Along with their design team, our packaging specialists were able to customize the sizes to meet individual product needs.
In the case of paper boxes, which were created to hold cheese buns, LeKAC’s in-house design team was able to deliver a design that Clarissa loved!
The Result
The main material in use for all of the products is Kraft paper which is not only cost-effective, but eco-friendly and offers a classic, natural finish as well.
The crepe sleeves and paper boxes also come with a wax coating which prevents stains from oil, food and grease. The wax-coating in use is water-based which means that the packaging is compostable!
Overall, Clarissa understands that custom packaging is an investment. Although initially it can be expensive, as a business she can reap the long-term benefits.
As a matter of fact, the direct placement of the logo on the crepe sleeve is very effective because it becomes the main focus of each picture posted on social media. In turn, it helps to build brand identity.
Furthermore, the choice of a unique shape and custom dimensions for a crepe sleeve is more likely to catch the eye of those passing because they’ll be more intrigued to ask “what’s that in your hand?”
COVID-19 and Takeout Packaging
In the context of COVID-19, which has negatively impacted small businesses and the restaurant industry due to restrictions on in-door dining, we asked Clarissa to share her thoughts on custom packaging.
[Custom packaging] offers a nice look. It’s very professional and makes people more inclined to take pictures.
Clarissa Aguiar, Owner of Tapi Go!
According to Clarissa, in order to successfully operate during this time, it’s important to invest in packaging because it’s a part of the product. As a matter of fact, Tapi Go! in itself has only been set up to offer takeout services.
Consequently, since no one can dine in, having attractive takeout packaging can really help with the overall customer experience.
Experience Working with LeKAC
Although we weren’t the first and only company Clarissa worked with, we were very responsive, provided a nice quote and offered a lot of flexibility in customizable options.
Clarissa was very happy knowing that LeKAC Sourcing could do exactly what she wanted and offered competitive pricing without compromising quality.
The crepe sleeve is very nice and sleek and the quality of the bag is amazing.
Clarissa Aguiar, Owner of Tapi Go!
There is one thing that we can improve on – our lead time, which is a little longer than other companies. Nonetheless, our express shipping option worked nicely in Clarissa’s favour as all the packaging was delivered before the opening of her restaurant!
If you are looking to up your packaging game with custom products, be sure to contact us today. We can offer free quotations, design work, and samples shipped directly to you.
You can also check us out on Instagram and Facebook.
Are you an avid tapioca lover? Be sure to visit Tapi Go! for some delicious crepes and street food that will transport you to Brazil. What a perfect compromise when you’re not able to travel right now! We’ve listed their contact information and social media pages below for your convenience. Stay safe!
835 BLOOR STREET WEST, TORONTO, ON, M6G 1M1
(416) 533 – 8274
Nice post guys! Muskan did an excellent job on the interview! I It’s so well written and truly express my feeling about the package, which is such an important part of my business. I am greateful to find your company through this journey. Thanks all the team, especially Andy who helps me since day one.
Thank you so much, I’m really glad you enjoyed the blog post! We love working with you and are so happy you chose us to help turn your packaging into a reality!