As consumers increasingly turn to food delivery, take-out and grab-and-go meal options, foodservice packaging has been a necessary focus for manufacturers, brands, and consumers. There are many aspects of foodservice packaging that are important to all three constituencies such as cost, materials, form, and function. All point to a need to consider the importance of packaging design for foodservice.
The Importance of Ease of Use for Foodservice Packaging Design
Foodservice packaging that requires extensive assembling prior to use or is hard to open or close will result in wasted time for busy foodservice providers. Ease of use is necessary for deli, meat and seafood counters where customers in line appreciate speedy service.
“DIY” foodservice packaging for shoppers that are choosing foods from a grocery or restaurant buffet also need to be easy to assemble and intuitive to use. Packaging that is difficult to assemble correctly, including lids that are a challenge to correctly affix, will result in frustrated shoppers and, most likely, messy spills.
When choosing foodservice packaging for counter service and self-service try out the packaging first and make sure that your staff, and your customers, will be able to easily use it.
The Importance of Cost & Affordability for Foodservice Packaging Design
Cost begins with the materials supplier. For manufacturers, access to affordable materials that are routinely available without fail is a primary concern. If the cost of materials goes up, then so must the cost of their finished goods. This carries on down to the brand retailer and, finally, to the end consumer.
As consumer preference for sustainable materials grows and manufacturers and brands follow suit, the cost effectiveness of foodservice packaging using sustainable materials, which are typically also recyclable or biodegradable, will continue to be attractive.
Individual retailer foodservice brands, and even some grocers, are known to operate on thin or even razor thin margins, so being diligent when choosing packaging can mean the difference between profit or loss. Manufacturers that continually innovate for cost-effectiveness are rewarded.
On the flip side, consumers, especially Millenials, favor foodservice packaging that takes into account environmental concerns so they are willing to pay more for products that adhere to that sensitivity.
Foodservice retailers that take into account consumer preferences when it comes to packaging, will improve their brand recognition and favoritism with certain audiences.
Learn more about how to save on foodservice packaging costs.
The Importance of Matching Brand Identity in Packaging Design for Foodservice
For foodservice brands such as quick serve restaurants, also known as QSRs, packaging is linked to the brand’s identity. Any food or meals that are transported prior to consumption have the ability to provide a great consumer experience, or a not so great one. Since experience is linked to a brand’s identity, the packaging needs to be considered.
Along with form and function, which we will dive into in just a bit, brands can take advantage of customization including coloration, shapes, and logos such as those on takeaway bagasse bags. Branding the packaging is another integral piece in the consumer experience and can act as additional advertising when meals are consumed in office spaces and other communal in-home or out-of-home gatherings.
Attractive packaging design along with your brand’s logo can be the “hunger starter” a new customer needs to come and try you out!
The Importance of Packaging Design for a Great Foodservice Experience
In the restaurant, QSR, and grocery business, repeat customers are key to revenue and profitability. Unless you’re the only option in town, maintaining repeat business usually requires a great customer experience. Without repeat customers, you are forced to spend more on advertising and promotions.
How does foodservice packaging play into that great experience and drive repeat customers?
Appearance is a key factor. Packaging that looks great and represents the brand well is the very first thing a consumer will notice.
Next, packaging needs to do its job well. For meals that are transported, diners appreciate solid, sturdy packaging that will easily withstand being moved around and can tolerate reheating or refrigeration.
Another attribute that provides a great experience is packaging that can be easily opened and re-closed.
The Importance of Form and Function in Packaging Design for Foodservice
Since form and function are a major factor in the importance of packaging design for foodservice, let’s dive into that aspect a bit more.
Attractiveness in packaging design for foodservice
Have you ever chosen a can of soup or a bottle of wine based on its label? Attractive foodservice packaging relays to the consumer that the food or beverage is going to taste as great as the packaging looks. In fact, an entire industry is built around creating the perfect packaging for each product on the supermarket shelf to attract buyers!
Even for foodservice providers that don’t necessarily sell foods “off the shelf”, the packaging a customer sees after placing their order immediately informs them how they should feel about the food they are going to eat. This goes for restaurant to-go orders, grab-and-go meals at the deli counter, and even fresh meats and seafood at the grocery store. Packaging is seen and touched!
Packaging Design for Foodservice That Does the Job Well
“Doing the job well” means that foodservice packaging provides assurance to the consumer that their meal will be transported safely whether by delivery service or by themselves. It is important that packaging protects from any leaks or seepage and that it maintains hot foods hot and cold foods cold for an extended period of time.
Especially for food delivery or grab-and-go counters, tamper-evident packaging is a nice plus, helping consumers feel safe and that their foodservice provider is reliable.
Another aspect of packaging design for foodservice that “does the job well” is packaging that is reusable or can last long enough to handle leftovers. Leftover food packaging should be reheatable, either by microwave or oven, and be able to be stored in a refrigerator. Some foodservice packaging is even able to withstand freezer to oven temperatures – bravo bagasse!
The Importance of Packaging Design for Foodservice Safety
Now that we understand the importance of form and function in foodservice packaging, let’s consider how that also ties into food safety.
It is important for both consumers and foodservice providers that meals are safely packaged to prevent contamination. This requires packaging such as those with airtight lids, bags with strong zipper seals, and clamshell containers that are designed to stay closed until intentionally opened.
Along with the safety aspect of keeping containers closed, when they should be, to avoid contamination, foodservice safety also relies on, once again, hot foods remaining hot and cold foods remaining cold for as long as possible.
Foodservice packaging that considers the safety of the food and its diner, is an extra preventative measure against otherwise avoidable claims.
The Importance of Considering Disposal in Packaging Design for Foodservice
Finally, we consider what will happen with foodservice packaging once its usefulness has passed. For some packaging, this is after one use and for others, it may be after one or more uses.
In the end, most packaging will have a final disposition either in the landfill, incinerator, or, more preferably, in a way that is eco-friendly.
Foodservice packaging that is sustainable, compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable is the preferred trend for manufacturers, brands, and consumers.
Sustainable foodservice packaging
Sustainable packaging is made from renewable materials such as paper pulp, bagasse, or cornstarch. Along with being sustainable, these materials also add to improved form and function for many items including cups, plates, clamshell containers, and even bags.
Sustainable packaging is also largely recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable offering many ways to safely dispose of no longer needed packaging.
Compostable foodservice packaging
Compostable packaging provides two major benefits. It alleviates landfills and is returned as “earth” that can be repurposed in garden beds as rich compost nutrients for growing plants. Examples of compostable packaging are bagasse meat and produce trays used by grocery stores and deli containers for to-go foods.
Biodegradable foodservice packaging
Biodegradable packaging benefits landfills due to its ability to quickly decompose and return to its original elements. Biodegradable packaging has been a great replacement for many of the plastics we use today.
Learn more about the best types of biodegradable food packaging for grocers and restaurants.
Recyclable foodservice packaging
Speaking of plastic, much of it is recyclable. Spending on where you are located, however, your town or municipality may or may not have an adequate plastic recycling program. Until then, the drive to recycle plastics is the right course along with alternative packaging that is also recyclable.
Other recyclable foodservice packaging materials include molded fiber (which can be made from already recycled materials,) bagasse, cornstarch, and paper. Learn more about foodservice packaging and the environment.
Servous Knows the Importance of Packaging Design for Foodservice
At Servous, we are specialists in helping our customers choose the right foodservice packaging that is not only attractive and meets their brand needs, but also helps them save costs.
Our wide array of foodservice packaging options covers use cases for grocery stores, QSRs, delis, grab-and-go, takeout, and even catering.
Let our specialists at Servous walk you through our different offerings as well as tell you about our many customizing options. We can help you find just the right solutions for your store or restaurant to match your budget.
Contact us today to speak with our sustainable packaging experts.
