Over the last year, surges in off-premise orders helped bolster the restaurant industry during an unprecedented challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic, too, caused a shift in consumer priorities; while good tasting food remained important when they chose where to order from, many other consumers looked for amenities such as contactless delivery to stay safe—and that’s likely to continue. According to Technomic’s 2020 Delivery and Takeout Consumer Trend Report, 67% of consumers say they anticipate continuing to use contactless delivery services even once dine-in services resume.
Contactless delivery isn’t the only thing that diners look for when ordering off-premise eats, however. Diners also want to know that their food won’t be tampered with, and they also want to have a similar experience as they would if they were dining in—that is, they pay attention to the detail and care operators put into their off-premise orders.
Addressing safety concerns
When consumers order delivery, operators have a challenge—they must be able to fulfill the order and get it to the customer in a timely manner, and they also need to maintain food quality during transport. A great way to ensure that is by taking a second look at the packaging being used for off-premise orders. By choosing packaging such as hinged containers with superior locking mechanisms, like those from Huhtamaki, operators can feel confident that the food they are selling will get to their customers in great condition. When using soup containers, restaurants want to be sure that the lids are tight-fitting enough to prevent leaks and spills. And for drinks, using drink carriers to hold the beverages securely while in transit also prevents leaks or spills.
Building a great experience
Operators should also focus on providing an excellent experience for their customers, regardless of where the dining happens. Customer engagement is key for building sales and drawing in repeat customers, so it can help to put in a little extra effort to make the delivery experience a bit more special. For example, branded packaging may not seem like a big deal, but it shows customers that the brand cares about their own image and also wants the brand experience to carry on even if the guest isn’t physically at the restaurant. Operators should look for packaging suppliers that can customize options to increase customer engagement and strengthen the brand.
Huhtamaki is proud to offer high-quality packaging materials for restaurants of all sizes. From customizable paper food containers, cups, cartons and boxes to drink carriers, hinged containers, tableware and more, Huhtamaki has everything operators need to provide a safe, enjoyable off-premise experience. To learn more, visit www.huhtamaki.com/en-us/north-america/foodservice
This post is sponsored by Huhtamaki