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Disposable Take-Out Containers Guide

Disposable Take-Out Containers Guide

Whether they're taking home leftovers or purchasing food in disposable packaging, your customers need reliable food containers to maintain safe temperatures, prevent leaks, and keep food sanitary. By investing in take-out food containers, you can diversify your services, menu, or display shelves to increase your profits.

Take-Out Container Materials

Take-out containers come in a variety of matierals. From plastic and foam to more eco-friendly options like paper or bagasse, there is sure to be option that best suits your business's needs!

Black foam take out container with hinged lid
Black foam take out container with hinged lid

Hinged foam containers are a great option for carryout orders and leftovers. These containers are lightweight yet durable enough to securely hold your customers' food.

Pros
  • Keeps hot foods hot and cold foods cold
  • Lightweight material
  • Stackable design
  • Hinged lids and interlocking tabs
  • Laminated varieties available to prevent leaks
  • Perforated lid options available for easy lid removal
Cons
  • Less environmentally-friendly than other options
  • Non-microwavable
Round foil take out container
Round foil take out container

Foil containers are a popular choice for Italian restaurants and pizza joints. These versatile containers make it easy to reheat leftovers in the oven, giving your customers a way to bring the flavors of your restaurant home with them.

Pros
  • Can be used to bake and serve food
  • Can handle heavy dishes
  • Perfect for hot and cold food
  • Repels oil and grease
Cons
  • Less environmentally-friendly than other options
  • Non-microwavable
Kraft paper take out container with folded top
Kraft paper take out container with folded top

Paper take-out boxes are an affordable and eco-friendly way to package up your to-go orders or leftovers. These containers are available in a number of prints and are a popular option for Chinese take-out boxes.

Pros
  • Collapsible design takes up less storage space than other options
  • Conserves heat
  • Grease-resistant
  • Environmentally-friendly alternative to foam or plastic
  • Heat lamp-tolerant and microwave-safe options available
  • Post-consumer recycled options available
Cons
  • Compartments not available as seen in alternative products
  • May bend or fold when used with heavy food
  • Uncoated products may absorb grease and other food remnants
Round black take out container with transparent lid
Round black take out container with transparent lid

For sturdy design and versatility, plastic is one of the best material options for take-out containers. These durable containers ensure that your delivery orders will arrive at your customer's door without leaking or losing their heat.

Pros
  • Cut-, leak-, and crack-resistant
  • Non-absorbent
  • Microwave- and freezer-safe options available
  • Sturdy material
  • Transparent options are great for food display
  • Recyclable options are great for environmentally-friendly businesses
Cons
  • Less environmentally friendly than other options
  • More costly than alternative products
Bagasse take out container with a hinged lid
Bagasse take out container with a hinged lid

Bagasse is the by-product that's left over after sugarcane is pressed to extract its juice. This fibrous, pulpy material is used to create durable containers that appeal to environmentally-conscious customers.

Pros
  • Great for environmentally-friendly businesses
  • Hinged lid securely holds food
  • Compostable and biodegradable
  • Microwavable and freezer-safe
  • Conserves heat
Cons
  • Must be composted in a commercial composting facility
  • More costly than alternative products
  • Uncoated products may absorb grease and other food

Types of Take-Out Containers

Take-out containers come in a variety of styles, sizes, and shapes to make sure there is an available packaging option for every food and application. Whether you are looking to stock up on containers for guests to bring home leftovers or you are looking to package up foods for individual purchase or catering applications, there is sure to be a take-out container option for you.

Chinese take out container filled with lo mein

Chinese Take-Out Boxes

Package up your orders of fried rice, lo mein, and pepper steak in style with our selection of Chinese take-out containers! These efficient containers ship flat for easy storage and are simple to assemble when you're ready to serve your food. Their paper construction retains heat well to ensure that your food arrives hot.

  • Available in a wide variety of colors and prints
  • Available capacities: 0.25 lb. - 0.5 lb., 1 pt., 1 qt, and 8 oz. - 64 oz.
  • Available features: handle, green / environmentally friendly, and microwavable

Plastic deli container holding sliced cucumbers

Deli Containers

Display your delicious salads or soups in one of our deli containers. Showcase your pasta salad, chicken salad, or desserts in one of our cold only containers, or choose one of our hot microwavable deli containers to display your colorful soups or casseroles. We have a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials available to suit your business's needs.

  • Available capacities: 4 oz. - 168 oz.
  • Available shapes: round, square, and rectangle
  • Available uses: cold or hot
  • Available features: BPA free, compostable, recyclable, and tamper-evident

Kraft paper soup cup holding beef stew

Paper Soup Cups and Bowls

Make it easy for your customers to take the flavors of your soup bar home with them with these paper soup cups and bowls! These products are ideal for salad and snack bars where contents will be consumed while still hot. Lids are available for patrons transporting soup before consumption.

  • Available in a wide variety of colors and prints
  • Available capacities: 6 oz. - 1 gallon

Two hands opening a plastic container filled with pasta salad

Catering and To-Go Bowls

These disposable bowls make it easy to display your catered entrees and sides or offer patrons portions of your food to take home with them. Available lids enable spill-free storage and transportation.

  • Available colors: green, brown, ivory, clear, white, and black
  • Available capacities: 8 oz. - 320 oz.
  • Available shapes: oval, round, square, and football
  • Available types: bowls, containers with lids, container / lid combos, and containers with hinged lids
     

Plastic cup with dome lid holding yogurt topped with strawberries

Parfait / Yogurt Cups

Create vibrant, eye-catching displays with crystal clear plastic parfait / yogurt cups. Optional cup inserts keep granola, nuts, and fresh fruits separate from yogurt, allowing patrons the freedom to mix in desired topping quantities. Don't let the name fool you: these versatile cups aren't just for yogurt! They make excellent containers for fruit, vegetables, and ice cream sundaes. Flat and dome lids are available for different presentations.

  • Available capacities: 2 oz. - 16 oz.

Small plastic portion cup holding ketchup

Souffle / Portion Cups

Souffle and portion cups enable you to store and offer individual servings of condiments, sauces, or samples. Lids are available, enabling you to stack and store a variety of sauces and condiments to prepare for rushes.

  • Available materials: aluminum foil, PLA plastic, plastic, poly-coated paper, sugarcane / bagasse, and uncoated paper
  • Available capacities: 0.5 oz. - 16 oz.

Person holding a tray that contains 4 beverages in styrofoam cups and a basket of popcorn

Cup Carriers

Our take-out cup carrier selection includes a variety of materials, including paperboard, biodegradeable natural fiber, pulp board, and cardboard. These carriers can accommodate hot or cold beverages. Several cup carrier styles include a flat tray compartment to easily carry hamburgers, french fries, nachos, and other delicious treats!

  • Available compartments: 2, 3, 4, and 5
    • Select from containers that can accommodate 1, 2, or 4 cups

6 pack bottle carrier holding 6 bottles of wine

6 Pack Bottle Carriers

Invite your guests to take your delicious soda, beer, or wine home with them with our 6 pack bottle carriers! These carriers are great for grocery stores or breweries offering mix-and-match 6 packs. Our selection of cardboard carriers is printed with eye-catching text that invites patrons to "mix and match a six pack"!

  • Available colors: green and pink

Coffee to-go box on a table with napkins, stirrers, sugar packets, and coffee cups

Coffee To-Go Boxes and Beverage Bags

Let your patrons take the irresistible flavor and aroma of your fresh-brewed coffee home with them with our selection of coffee to-go boxes. These caddies feature interior plastic bags to hold the coffee, while the cardboard exteriors provide easy pouring. For cold beverages, check out our selection of beverage bags. 

  • Available capacities: 96 oz., 128 oz., 160 oz., 1 gallon, and 3 gallons
     

Cookies packaged in a bakery box

Cake / Bakery Boxes

Cake / bakery boxes can be used for packaging to-go cakes, baked goods, or candies in your bakery or sweet shop. They come in a variety of sizes to accomdate a wide range of foods as well as a variety of colors and prints to best suit your brand or event theme.

  • Available materials: paperboard, cardboard, and plastic
  • Available heights: 5/8" - 12 13/32"
  • Available assembly style: auto pop-up or lock-corner

4-compartment clear container containing 4 red and white frosted cupcakes

Cupcake and Muffin Containers

Whether your customers are stocking up for a birthday party or tempted to make an impulse buy at your checkout area, cupcakes and muffins are all about presentation. Select one of these containers to showcase your scrumptious treats!

  • Available compartments: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, and 24
  • Available sizes: mini, standard, and jumbo
  • Available styles: hinged and unhinged

Two hands putting the lid on black plastic container that holds a pie

Pie Containers

Showcase your intricately-designed crusts and colorful fruit fillings with disposable pie containers. From containers that hold single slices to entire pies, our vast selection of pie containers has your bakery creations covered.

  • Available shapes: round, square, and wedge
  • Available lid types: high dome, medium dome, and dome

Half-round plastic cake container with a black base holding half of a chocolate cake

Cake Containers

Protect the detailed icing decorations on your bakery’s items by using one of our cake containers! Select from containers that hold full cakes, half cakes, or individual slices to best fit your customers' needs.

  • Available shapes: round, rectangle, half round, and wedge
  • Available sizes: 1/4 sheet, 1/2 sheet, 5", 7", 8", 9", and 10"
  • Available lid types: high dome, medium dome, and dome

Cookies packaged in a white kraft paper bag with window and tin tie closure

Take-Out Cookie Bags

Cookie bags are a great way for packaging your to-go gourmet cookies, pretzels, donuts, or even coffee beans. Some of them feature a viewing window for customers to easily identify the contents, which can boost impulse sales.

  • Available materials: paper and plastic
  • Available styles: double opening bag, resealable, and tin tie

Black plastic tray with lid containing an unbaked pizza

Disposable Paper and Plastic Bakeware

Display freshly-made baked goods or take-and-bake entrees with our disposable paper and plastic bakeware. With a variety of materials and applications to choose from, our selection of bakeware offers something for every business.

  • Available colors: brown, clear, white, and black
  • Available features: BPA free, heat sealable, microwavable, and freezer safe

Plastic container holding round pieces of chocolate

Retail Take-Out Containers

Merchandise bulk goods, display salads, or offer carryout deli options with these retail take-out containers. Our selection of containers includes traditional rectangular boxes, sandwich wedge boxes, and compartment containers to meet all of your retail needs.

  • Available capacities: 4 oz. - 2 qt.
  • Available styles: hinged and unhinged
  • Available shapes: rectangle, square, and wedge
  • Available number of compartments: 1 - 4

Two stacked plastic clamshell containers holding raspberries and blackberries

Produce Containers

Use our selection of disposable produce containers to showcase your market's fresh fruits and vegetables. These containers are available in a variety of sizes and materials.

  • Available types: herb containers, produce / berry containers, egg cartons, and seafood bags
  • Available materials: PET plastic, plastic, and recycled pulp
  • Available capacities: 0.75 oz. - 80 oz.

Whole roast chicken in a black plastic box with transparent lid

Chicken Roaster Take-Out Containers

Offer your customers a convenient grab-and-go dinner option with these chicken roaster take-out containers! These containers will showcase your juicy chicken dinner and promote impulse buys. The air-tight lid locks in moisture, guaranteeing deliciously moist chicken.

  • Available size: 8 1/2" x 6 1/4" x 5" (2" base depth and 3" dome height)

Black plastic catering tray holding sandwiches

Serving and Catering Trays

Merchandise party trays at your grocery store or show off your signature creations at catered events with our selection of serving and catering trays. Lids are also available to protect your food and seal in its freshness. They enable you to stack filled trays for convenient storage and transportation.

  • Available in a wide variety of colors
  • Available diameters: 8" - 19"
  • Available materials: cardboard, foil, plastic, and sugarcane / bagasse
  • Available lid types: flat, high dome, and low dome

Person carrying 6-pack of soda with a can carrier top

Can Carrier

Make it easy for customers to take canned beers, soda, and specialty beverages from your merchandiser fridge or distribution area with can carriers. They are made with durable plastic flexes with the shifting positions of the cans attached to it and feature a centralized handle for quick, easy lifting and transport.

  • Available sizes: 4-pack and 6-pack
  • Available styles: open ring top and closed ring top

Expert Tip

For maximum efficiency, we recommend choosing the smallest size container that fits your application to reduce waste and stretch your budget.

Customized take out containers

Custom Take-Out Containers

Add a unique touch to your disposable take-out containers by customizing them with your business's name or logo. Our selection of customizable disposables makes it easy for you to add personal flair to your containers while helping your patrons remember their experience in your establishment after they've left!

How to Choose the Right Take-Out Container

For more information on finding the right take-out containers for your business, check out this video!

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