As a restaurant, retail store, hospitality facility, quick service restaurant, or foodservice facility, you are only as good and reliable as the foodservice packaging companies you choose. While offering exceptional food and beverage products is key, the presentation of your products and the ability to offer attractive packaging hold an unmistakable value.
Because of this, it makes dollars and sense to partner with the top food packaging companies that can offer the array of innovative packaging solutions you deserve and customers want. However, choosing the best food packaging companies and partners is often easier said than done.
And many of the most important attributes can’t be gleaned from company websites. Instead, it requires a conversation…or an interview of sorts. To help you make the best decision, we’ve outlined a few of the top qualities and attributes of the best food packaging companies.
Suppliers Should Offer You Valued Consultation
While choosing the best packaging solutions may seem easy, the sheer number of food packaging solutions can make it difficult if not outright impossible. Because of this, you should have a trusted supply chain partner who can offer guidance.
The top food packaging companies will have the ability to listen to your unique needs, goals, and budget to suggest the best solution. Your food packaging partner should also consider the desired shelf life of the food and incorporate it into the suggestion.
For example, certain food packaging materials can be used to maximize the shelf life of fruit products, while other materials can shorten the freshness and life. Simply put, the consultative process should be convenient for you and deliver value.
More so, your food packaging partner should act as a valued part of your team, delivering custom solutions for your food products.
The Best Food Packaging Companies Offer an Array of Packaging Options
When it comes to choosing the best food packaging supplier, it’s easiest and more cost-efficient for your preferred vendor to meet as many of your packaging needs as possible. This means, finding a vendor who offers different types of food packaging materials and solutions can equal efficiency in more than one way.
For starters, look for someone who offers a wide array of packaging for food products, such as:
- Bags
- Trays
- Containers
- Gloves
- Disposable Cups for beverages
- Straws
- Rigid packaging
- Retail cartons
- Plastic packaging
- Food storage boxes
- Packaging for
Negotiate Preferred Pricing
The wider array of packaging solutions the vendor offers, the more likely you’ll be able to negotiate preferred pricing. At the same time, partnering with a vendor that offers a wider array of packaging solutions saves you or your procurement team time as well as money on shipping.
Instead of having to contact several different vendors, one call to your preferred vendor can result in your business having the packaging solutions you need when you need them.
Does the Food Packaging Provider Offer Products in Different Materials?
In addition to types of packaging products, providers who offer a wider array of materials are best suited to offer expertise and guide you to the best solution. Some of the most common food packaging materials include:
- Bagasse
- Cornstarch (plant-based fiber products)
- Molded Fiber
- Paper
- Polystyrene Foam
- Single-Use Plastics
- Polyethylene
- Polypropylene
- And more
Does the Provider Specialize in Your Industry?
The value of partnering with a vendor that specializes in the foodservice industry and offers many years of experience can’t be overstated. While some large service providers, like Westrock Company, may service a wide range of industries, they specialize in none.
To the contrary, you deserve a food packaging partner who focuses solely on you and your industry. Whether it’s plastic, bottles, pouches, bags, paper products, or custom delivery solutions, it’s imperative your packaging partner understands your industry and delivers value at every turn.
Can the Provider Help You Navigate Supply Chain Shortages?
Today, one of the greatest challenges facing restaurateurs and food service establishments are supply chain issues. In fact, the National Restaurant Association estimates 95% of restaurants have experienced significant supply chain delays or shortages.
These supply chain shortages and shipping issues can impact everything from food issues to packaging. With daily images of delayed containers, most industry experts suggest manufacturing supply chain issues are showing no signs of slowing down.
And when it comes to your packaging partner, it’s important they have solutions to get you the products you need when you need them.
Servous Can Help You Overcome Packaging Supply Chain Disruptions
At Servous, we are proud to be able to consistently provide food packaging solutions where other providers can’t. In addition to our relationships with leading food packaging suppliers, we keep a large inventory on hand to quickly fulfill and ship the solutions your company needs.
Does the Company Offer Eco-Friendly Packaging Options
Even if you aren’t interested in environmentally friendly food packaging options today, it doesn’t mean you will not be tomorrow. In fact, with the trends of the market, it’s highly likely your customers will all but demand more sustainable packaging products in your supply chain.
Choosing more eco-friendly food packaging solutions is a cost-effective way to meet the increasing demand. However, if your current food packaging company lacks the relationships and inventory to provide these solutions, you may fail to meet the increasing demand from your customer.
Examples of Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Packaging Solutions
Today, you have access to a growing number of high-quality, ultra-durable, and eco-friendly packaging products and solutions. Examples of innovative sustainable packaging solutions include:
- Bagasse Bags
- Reusable Bags
- Bagasse Trays
- Cornstarch Trays (PLA Plastic)
- Compostable Straws
- Molded Fiber Products
- And more
At Servous, we offer a full range of different bagasse, cornstarch PLA plastic products, molded fiber products, and more.
Why Choose Sustainable Packaging Solutions?
Here are a few top reasons why including sustainability in packaging options is good for business and the environment.
Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Company
Sustainable containers and package products can reduce carbon footprint. Whether it’s compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable — offering this type of innovation can help reduce the impact your brand has on the environment.
Bolster Company Image
Choosing more sustainable packaging can help improve your brand image. Research shows that 45 percent of customers prefer engaging with environmentally responsible brands.
Of those consumers, 44 percent suggest they would prefer using a company that supports recycling and food waste reduction. This means when you package your food products in eco-friendly solutions, you’re strengthening the brand reputation of your company.
An Environmental Focus Can Increase Company Profitability
Whether it’s recyclable packaging, more sustainable manufacturing, or the use of PLA plastic, choosing to offer more environmentally-friendly packaging can help improve your annual revenue.
As we previously mentioned, over 44 percent of consumers will opt for a restaurant or foodservice company that utilizes safer, greener packaging solutions. Simply put, when you do what’s good for the environment, your customer will appreciate it.
Eco-Friendly Package Options Can Save Money
While many businesses assume purchasing eco-friendly, sustainable packaging solutions will cost them more, this isn’t always the case. Most eco-friendly bottles, cartons, boxes, and containers are competitively priced similar to their less eco-friendly counterparts.
You can, however, generate significant savings on the shipping of these products. Due to the lightweight nature of sustainable packaging, you will net almost immediate savings.
Contact Servous Today for the Best Food Packaging Products and Solutions
As a leading provider of bags, custom packaging solutions, straws, trays, containers, gloves, and more, we offer a full range of solutions for all types of food service establishments. Most importantly, our team will work closely with you to provide the tailored solutions your business deserves.
Contact the Servous sales team today.
