While the COVID-19 outbreak forced a lot of restaurants to close their doors for in-store dining, it’s also helped businesses focus a lot more on their takeout packaging.
This is possible with the continuous support community members are offering when they shop local and support small businesses.
Consequently, since the start of the pandemic, there’s been a greater demand for takeout and deliveries. I for one can attest to this as I find myself ordering takeout 1-2 times a week from small restaurants and bakeries in addition to coffee runs!
In particular, I’ve been frequently ordering comfort food from a local burger chain and there’s a few things I’ve noticed. Despite offering delicious food, quick service and having a successful brand, their packaging fails to provide a good user experience.
Why you may ask? For one, the material is very thin so it rips easily. On two separate occasions, the paper bag literally started ripping as soon as I left the restaurant!
So without further ado, let’s discuss what you need to know about takeout packaging…
why takeout packaging is important
Food packaging serves several important purposes as it reinforces the 3 P’s of Packaging!
Unsure of what they are? Here’s a quick recap!
- Protection: The primary goal of packaging is to provide physical or barrier protection for your products.
Unfortunately, most businesses skimp on materials to save a few pennies. The impact this decision has on businesses is very dire because now they’re dealing with high costs of waste, spoilt food and unhappy customers!
- Preservation: It’s important you can guarantee a long shelf life for your products!
If your customers open the bag to find the food stale and unsuitable to consume, you need to reconsider your choices!
Effective takeout packaging will help you cut back on cross-contamination and maintain freshness for a longer period of time.
- Presentation: This seems to be pretty self-explanatory that all businesses believe they’re following, but it can often be a hard miss!
Attractive packaging encourages customers to repeat purchasing which increases sales.
Moreover, it plays an important role in reinforcing your brand and values because you can directly communicate with your customers. For instance, if you value sustainability and the environment matters to you, consider using biodegradable packaging.
key factors to consider
- Choose the right packaging material: You need to choose a material that allows for maximum product freshness and protection and fits the type of food you’re serving.
If you’re currently using styrofoam, you might want to reconsider your packaging because this material releases toxic chemicals into the food.
Moreover, the choice of the packaging material depends on your business’s food delivery needs. For example, think about the distance delivery service providers and your customers will travel and the time that the food will remain in its packaging.
In the meantime, learn more about our takeout products!
- Try making your packaging compostable: Over the years, sustainability has become huge thanks to eco-consumerism.
It’s likely that your customers are becoming increasingly aware of the growing impact that disposable packaging has on the environment as well.
As Canada shifts gear into implementing its nation-wide single-use plastic ban, try prioritizing more alternative materials and paper products.
- Brand your packaging: Your packaging will interact with hundreds of people. It’s a huge missed opportunity if it’s not branded and properly designed.
By opting in custom designs, you can use your packaging as a marketing tool and differentiate yourself from your customers.
In fact, your packaging is an integral part of your brand which means its a part of your brand personality! This presents a great opportunity to create a bond between your brand and every customer who purchases from you.
At a bare minimum, you should be including your company name or logo. However, you can go above and beyond and communicate with your customers by telling them how to properly dispose the packaging as well!
Lastly, your customers are more likely to post pictures of your products if they think the packaging is appealing!
don’t let your packaging become an afterthought
As always, your food should be the star, but don’t let it become an afterthought!
By including your branding on your takeout packaging, you’re helping the customer associate the food they’re eating with your specific restaurant. In turn, with a stronger brand recognition, your customers are more likely to order from you again as well!
Nonetheless, there are more opportunities than just slapping some logos on a takeout box.
Consider opting for custom packaging from LeKAC Sourcing!
Whether it’s a simple takeout box you need, or an entire line of cohesive packaging, our experienced packaging specialists can create the packaging of your dreams. Contact us today for your free quotation!
