Food delivery has surged in popularity in Australia over the past few years, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many restaurants and CloudKitchens® delivery kitchens have jumped on the bandwagon and are reaping the benefits. While good food has always been at the core of any eatery’s success, one area that is often disregarded is the packaging used for food delivery.
Many restaurateurs or business owners might be scratching their heads, thinking: ‘does it really matter?’ Well, truth be told, it can have both a positive or negative impact on your establishment.
To ensure your food delivery packaging is of the highest quality and won’t lead to any embarrassing situations, we at Chef Collective have prepared an in-depth guide on various things you should consider.
- Material
- Size
- Durability
- Branding
- Customer Opinions
What material is best?
When it comes to food delivery packaging, the first step is to pick the right material for the dishes you are preparing to send out. For example, you don’t want soup sloshing out of the container it’s stored in or the sauces from a kebab leaking everywhere.
These are some of the top materials restaurants and CloudKitchen® delivery kitchens use when delivering food to hungry customers.
- Plastic – Virtually everyone’s choice as it can hold many menu items from various cuisines, including burgers, pasta, soup, curries, etc. In addition, it can also be recycled, which is a big plus point for many eateries that care about saving the environment.
- Paper and cardboard – Another widely used material, it is perfect for all kinds of food, except soup. Like plastic, it is also recyclable.
- Aluminium – Ideal for keeping burgers and kebabs hot and tasty. The one issue with using aluminium for your food delivery packaging is that it is more expensive.
- Foam – Well known for being able to retain heat, but not the most environmentally friendly option.
- Biodegradable materials – An option gaining more popularity among F&B businesses that want to make a difference and save the environment.
Which size to use?
Size is important for food delivery packaging as you don’t want to be using bigger containers when the dishes you prepare can fit in smaller ones.
Think of the following when picking the size you think is needed:
- Does it fit? – Many business owners fall into the trap of thinking that one size fits all, but it is a common misconception as you will likely need containers of varying sizes depending on the dishes you are making.
- Are dividers necessary? – Sometimes, you might need containers with dividers to ensure different foods don’t mix and contaminate one another. In this case, you will probably need a bigger container.
- Do you need ramekins? – Certain dishes like burgers might require dipping sauces which will elevate the flavour profile to the next level. If so, you should use disposable ramekins as they are cheap and sturdy.
Keep durability in mind
One of the most important aspects of your food delivery packaging will be its durability. If it tears easily, your customers will not have an enjoyable experience, and your restaurant or CloudKitchen® delivery kitchen’s reputation will suffer.
Here are some areas you need to keep an eye on:
- Seals – Regardless of whether you use plastic lids or paper tabs, you have to ensure they won’t break during delivery.
- Soft spots – Test out the containers you use to find any weaknesses and save yourself the embarrassment of having patrons complain about an unpleasant dining experience.
- Absorbency – If you are delivering soup or dishes that use a lot of sauce, it would be wise to invest in moisture-resistant food delivery packaging.
Get your brand out there
All restaurants, whether it be powerhouses like McDonald’s or the Australian favourite of Nando’s, use food delivery packaging as an opportunity to increase their brand awareness.
Wondering how it’s done? Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Let your name shine – The identity of your restaurant or CloudKitchen® delivery kitchen has to take centre stage, especially if your food delivery orders are on the rise, as more people will start becoming aware of your eatery. Make sure you include the logo of your business and contact details too.
- It’s all about consistency – Everything from the colours to the fonts and logos has to be consistent. If not, the only thing you will achieve is confusing your customers.
- Let a professional handle it – Sometimes, it’s best to leave these things to someone who knows what they’re doing so that it is done right.
Don’t forget about your customers
The requirements of your customers are essential. When delivering food to them, you should take note of a couple of things:
- Have clear labels – It is important to state what each dish is and the ingredients it contains, as some customers may be allergic to nuts, while others may be vegetarian or vegan. Furthermore, if some items are scorching, make this as clear as possible to avoid any problems or injury.
- Give proper instructions – Many restaurant owners believe that their customers are capable of figuring out how to open different types of food packaging. However, this is not always the case. As such, it is recommended that you use something as simple as an arrow to point out where to open the packaging from.
- Provide cutlery and condiments – Sometimes, it’s the little things that really count. When people order from your customer, the least you can do is give them some cutlery, condiments and serviettes.
Let’s package this up
Food delivery packaging is an integral aspect of any restaurant or CloudKitchen® delivery kitchen. If you don’t get it right, your customers will not have a good experience, and your business will suffer the consequences.
Interested in launching your own CloudKitchen® delivery kitchen in Australia? Fill up the form below to get in contact today!