The pandemic brought an unprecedented demand for off-premise dining; restaurants worked hard to provide the same quality of food for delivery or takeout that consumers enjoyed when dining in, and for those restaurants that went the extra mile, it paid off. Ensuring food arrives hot and crisp (when needed) versus lukewarm and soggy helps boost consumers’ confidence and satisfaction in their orders, which can lead to repeat orders—something that was never so important as it has been during the past two years, as many restaurants struggled to merely survive.
Now, as dining room restrictions have lifted and many consumers have returned to their pre-pandemic routines, operators have a little breathing room—but that doesn’t mean off-premise strategy should go by the wayside. In fact, paying attention to the details, such as food packaging, can continue to help drive off-premise sales.
According to Technomic’s recent Delivery and Takeout Consumer Trend Report, 66% of consumers said they anticipated continuing to use curbside pickup after dine-in service resumes, and 67% anticipate continuing to use contactless delivery options. While some tech innovations such as online ordering and kiosk ordering have helped drive sales for some brands, another feature that can help drive off-premise sales is quality food packaging.
Consumer desire for quality
While packaging alone is not likely a consumer’s first priority when choosing where to order from, packaging does play a critical role in their satisfaction. Packaging that prioritizes safety and quality, followed by sustainability, can help boost diners’ satisfaction in their orders. According to Technomic’s Delivery and Takeout report, 65% of consumers say it’s important that the packaging maintains the food/beverage’s temperature, 47% say it’s important that the packaging is sealed with a tamper-proof sticker and 39% say eco-friendly packaging is important. For operators who want to ensure the food they’re selling arrives in good condition for maximum enjoyment, choosing the right packaging should be a priority.
What to look for in reliable, quality takeout packaging
Durable packaging that not only keeps foods separated but also is able to hold up while carrying sauces, grease/oil and other ingredients is important. Kari-Out, a leading manufacturer and distributor of food packaging and ingredients, offers food packaging with superior durability and grease resistance, meaning operators won’t need to worry about fried foods soaking through the packaging. Paper bags, chicken boxes, hinged boxes/clamshells, paper soup cups and other paper products are an eco-friendly option that meet the needs of a varied menu, while reusable plastic options, including round and rectangular microwaveable containers, make storing leftovers a breeze. Kari-Out’s Eco Box and Eco Earth branded paper products are made in the USA and are 100% recyclable, and some products can even be custom-printed with unique branding. What’s more, new technologies have equipped Kari-Out to offer dependable service amid industry-wide supply chain disruptions, meaning operators can rely on their orders to be on time and accurate, even when other suppliers may be having difficulty doing the same. The company invested in machinery to make more and better paper food packaging for takeout and delivery use, resulting in short lead times and the ability to make larger quantities of packaging, faster.
To learn more about Kari-Out restaurant food packaging and to find a solution perfect for any restaurant’s needs, visit www.kariout.com.
This post is sponsored by Kari-Out