The foodservice industry is a significant part of consumer spending in North America. The growth in quick service restaurants, to-go orders at formerly dine-in only restaurants, and catering orders is becoming a major influencer on foodservice packaging trends.
In fact, the quick service restaurant market share is expected to increase by $119.2 billion from 2020 to 2025. North America is the largest market for quick service restaurants. Factors such as consumer preferences for eating out, brand loyalty, and access to new restaurants and cuisines are driving growth for innovation in foodservice packaging in North America.
Nearly 225 million Americans are projected to use disposable foodservice packaging in 2023. And, according to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the foodservice packaging market was valued at $114.28 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $148.25 billion by 2027.
This sheer volume of packaging materials is encouraging manufacturers, foodservice providers and consumers to consider not only cost, form and function, but environmental impact as well.
Key Foodservice Packaging Trends in Quick Service Restaurants
The top growth driver for foodservice packaging trends goes to quick service restaurants, or QSRs. Low cost and speed of service are the most important factors for diners with many orders being taken to go, vs. dining in. QSR packaging must be able to withstand different temperatures, be sturdy, be spillproof, and, of course, look good for brand recognition.
Consumer Demand Foodservice Packaging Trends
Convenience is the greatest priority. As people move about, spending less time preparing meals in-home and eating more meals on the go, QSRs are a good choice for the busy diner. The single-use packaging provided, allows foodservices to package meals in a practical and cost-effective way while also allowing their customers to transport their food easily.
Form and function. Since most quick service foods are consumed directly from their containers, priority has been placed on the form and function while consuming, but not necessarily what happens to the packaging after the meal is complete. As more diners consider the after-effects of their to-go orders, foodservice packaging trends will continue to move more towards eco-friendly packaging.
Branded packaging. The packaging, itself, is also part of the consumer experience. The materials, the form and the function all contribute to either a pleasurable or a non pleasurable dining experience. Branded packaging provides the opportunity for foodservices to promote their brand to their customers and others that might see the packaging once it’s left the establishment.
Cost-effective. QSRs are designed to provide food at a reasonable price for busy diners on the go. Atmosphere and gourmet menu items are not the motivation for diners – not overspending is. Quick service restaurants are generally low-margin businesses, so using cost-effective food packaging materials is a must. Today, packaging is most commonly made from papers and plastics.
Environmentally Conscious Foodservice Packaging Trends
Eco-friendly options not fully adopted yet. While many eco-friendly packaging options are available, most QSR foodservice packaging is still made of either paper products or rigid, single-use plastics that are not biodegradable or compostable, and are rarely recycled.
Government regulations. Environmental concerns have given rise to some States and localities either banning or restricting the use of non-biodegradable or non-recyclable foodservice packaging materials, such as straws. These trends will continue to inspire both foodservice providers and manufacturers to develop alternative packaging materials.
Sustainable packaging. As demand grows for sustainable packaging, manufacturers are responding. Sustainable foodservice packaging trends include biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable containers, trays, cups, bowls and even straws.
Key Foodservice Packaging Trends in Sustainable Packaging
As foodservice providers, diners and manufacturers consider the amount of food packaging waste and how it impacts our environment, manufacturers are stepping up to offer better options.
Foodservice packaging that is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable and compostable are preferable over packaging that does not break down and instead clogs landfills and our oceans. When developing sustainable packaging, the pressing question is “What will happen to this packaging when it is no longer needed?” The ability to dispose of it properly is the end goal.
Compostable Foodservice Packaging Trends
And that end goal means end-of-life for packaging. One of the ways that end-of-life can be handled sustainably is through composting. Composting is a great option, compared to recycling, since the recycled materials can be contaminated by foodstuffs.
The challenge with composting is that not all areas have composting facilities or programs. This means that compostable items end up in the landfill anyway. One might think that compostable items would simply compost in a landfill but landfills tend to be very packed down not providing the right amount of air, light or rain for compostable items to, well, compost.
Choosing compostable packaging materials for your foodservice business is still important. As more packaging becomes compostable, the likelihood that more composting facilities and programs to fill the need will arise.
Biodegradable Foodservice Packaging Trends
Biodegradable packaging is made from materials that are safe for the environment and able to decompose, returning to nature in a short period of time (usually in under a year.)
The advantage to biodegradable packaging materials is that they are environmentally friendly, non-toxic and lessen the waste in landfills. Additional side benefits to biodegradable foodservice packaging is that they tend to have a more efficient manufacturing process requiring less energy to produce the materials than does the manufacturing process for plastic.
Examples of biodegradable foodservice packaging are those made from renewable resources like bagasse and cornstarch, including bagasse containers and food trays, and cornstarch deli containers.
Renewable Foodservice Packaging Trends
Renewable foodservice packaging is packaging that uses materials that are already available and would otherwise be discarded. One of the best examples of renewable packaging is that which is made from bagasse, a by-product of fast-growing sugarcane manufacturing.
After the sugarcane is harvested, the remaining stalks, or bagasse, is typically discarded, oftentimes through burning. Manufacturers who recognized the value in the bagasse have been able to transform it into foodservice packaging that is renewable, sustainable, 100% biodegradable, and even compostable! The benefits of bagasse are endless!
Bagasse Bags
Bagasse is used to make not only foodservice containers like clamshells, trays, bowls, and cups, but bagasse is also used to make bags. Unlike with single-use bagasse foodservice packaging, bagasse shopping and tote bags can be re-used making them an eco-friendly choice for retailers and diners who prefer to re-use their bags rather than throw them away.
Bagasse bags are sturdy, attractive, and can include the brand’s logo and color scheme for instant recognition.
Trends in Paper Cups
Cups are one of the most used foodservice products on the planet and the trend is moving towards paper. Paper cups are gaining in acceptance due to their eco-friendliness, low cost, ease-of-use, and ability to be branded. Paper cups are common in QSRs, coffee shops, and grocery and convenience stores.
Fortunately, paper cups are also renewable. Nearly 6.5 million trees are cut down each year to make the 16 billion paper cups used for our morning coffee!
Paper cups can be biodegradable, compostable, recyclable and some are even made from recycled materials. Paper cups can be insulated to retain either cold or heat.
Foodservice Packaging Trends In the Future
As the foodservice industry continues to grow, we expect that foodservice packaging trends will continue to evolve towards greater sustainability and eco-friendliness. Diners will expect packaging to be environmentally friendly as well as be easily transportable and attractive.
The entire dining experience will shift from the mechanics of placing an order, receiving it, and then consuming it, to also including an enhanced dining experience through the use of higher quality eco-friendly materials that function and look great.
Contact Servous for Packaging for Your Foodservice Business
Servous remains at the forefront of trends in foodservice packaging. We’re specialists in wholesale packaging including sustainable, biodegradable, renewable and compostable options for the discerning business and their customers.
Our experts are here to help you determine the right packaging to fit your needs and your budget as well as can provide any customization or branding that you require.
Reach out today to see how Servous can provide the best foodservice packaging materials for your business!
