Starting a hospitality business? Then you are probably thinking about your menu, interior, staff and equipment first. That makes sense. But there is one thing you do not want to arrange at the last minute: your packaging.

Whether you are starting a coffee shop, lunchroom, restaurant, food truck, snack bar or bakery, good hospitality packaging makes your daily work easier. It helps ensure that your dishes reach your customers neatly, warm, fresh and safely. And let’s be honest: good packaging also contributes to the overall look and feel of your business.

But which packaging do you really need as a starter? We have listed the most important options for you.

Which packaging suits your menu?

The best packaging starts with your menu. Do you mainly sell coffee to go? Then you will need different packaging than if you offer poké bowls, fries, sandwiches or hot meals.

That is why it is important to first take a good look at your range. Which products will be taken away? Which dishes need to stay warm? What needs to be leakproof? And which products should look appealing in the display or when delivered?

A few examples:

For coffee and tea, you need cups, lids, stirrers and possibly sleeves for coffee cups. For lunch dishes, sandwich bags, salad containers, wrap packaging and napkins are useful. Do you serve hot meals or sauces? Then sturdy soup cups and sauce cups are essential.

By thinking from your menu, you avoid buying too many packaging items or choosing the wrong ones.

Which beverage cups do you need?

For many new hospitality businesses, drink cups are one of the first types of packaging they need. Think of coffee cups, smoothie cups or cups for soft drinks.

When choosing drink cups, pay close attention to the size. A small espresso requires a different cup than a large latte or iced coffee. Do you work with hot drinks? Choose cups that are comfortable to hold and can be combined with suitable lids if needed. For cold drinks, transparent cups are often practical because the contents are immediately visible.

Do not forget the practical extras either, such as lids, sleeves, stirrers and cup carriers. Especially during busy moments, you do not want to improvise with hot coffee in loose cups.

Which meal packaging is useful for takeaway and delivery?

Do you offer dishes for takeaway or delivery? Then meal packaging is essential. It needs to be sturdy, close properly and suit the type of dish.

For hot meals, meal trays or menu boxes are useful. For pasta, rice dishes, curries or bowls, you want packaging that does not leak easily and keeps the contents in place. For salads and cold dishes, transparent salad containers or kraft bowls are suitable, as the presentation remains clearly visible.

Also pay attention to portion size. Packaging that is too large can make a portion look small, while packaging that is too small can be inconvenient and may leak. The right size ensures better presentation and less waste.

Which packaging do you need for sandwiches, wraps and snacks?

Sandwiches, wraps and snacks require packaging that works quickly at the counter and is convenient for the customer. Think of sandwich bags, snack bags, burger boxes, fries trays and snack trays.

For sandwiches, paper bags or window bags are often ideal. They are lightweight, easy to stack and convenient on the go. Wraps stay neatly in place in wrap packaging or a cardboard cup. For burgers and snacks, closable trays or boxes are useful, especially when customers take their order with them.

Good packaging prevents spills, keeps your product looking neat and makes it easy for customers to eat wherever they are.

Which packaging is useful for sauces and toppings?

Sauce cups may be small, but they are essential in many hospitality businesses. Think of mayonnaise, dressing, chili sauce, garlic sauce, soy sauce, hummus or toppings.

Choose sauce cups that close properly and match your portion sizes. Too much sauce means unnecessary costs and waste. Separate cups for toppings, croutons, granola or nuts are also useful. This keeps your dish fresh and crunchy until it is eaten.

Which napkins and disposables should you not forget?

In addition to packaging for food and drinks, you also need practical disposables. Think of napkins, cutlery, straws, stirrers, picks and possibly cleaning cloths.

These products may seem small, but they make a big difference to the customer experience. Especially with takeaway or delivery, you want customers to be able to eat or drink straight away without having to ask for anything else.

Match your disposables to your menu. Do you serve soup? Then spoons are needed. Do you sell salads or bowls? Then sturdy cutlery is important. For coffee to go, stirrers and lids are often standard..

Which sustainable packaging suits your hospitality business?

More and more entrepreneurs are consciously choosing more sustainable packaging. Not only because customers are paying more attention to this, but also because it fits a future-focused hospitality business.

Think of packaging made from paper, cardboard, sugarcane, bamboo or other renewable materials. Recyclable or compostable options can also be interesting, depending on your product and way of working.

It is important, however, that sustainability and functionality go hand in hand. Packaging still needs to be sturdy, close properly and be suitable for your dish.

At TakeAware, you will find packaging that is practical to use and matches a conscious brand image. This helps you make a choice that works well.

How much packaging should you buy as a new hospitality entrepreneur?

As a starter, it is smart not to buy too much straight away. You often do not yet know exactly which products will sell best and which packaging will work best in practice.

Start with the basic packaging you definitely need. Test different sizes and materials, and see what works well for you. Once you have a better idea of your sales, you can purchase more specifically.

However, make sure you always have enough stock for busy days. Nothing is more inconvenient than a lunch rush without sandwich bags.

Ready for a strong start?

The right packaging helps you work professionally, efficiently and in a customer-friendly way from day one. It protects your dishes, strengthens your brand image and makes takeaway or delivery much smoother.

At TakeAware, we are happy to help you get started. Whether you are starting with coffee to go, lunch, snacks, meals or a complete hospitality concept, there is always packaging that suits your business.

Not sure which packaging is best for your business or product? Feel free to contact us. We are happy to think along with you.

Author: Ilse Franke