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Why Your Restaurant Should Offer Grab-N-Go Lunches

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Why Your Restaurant Should Offer Grab-n-Go Lunches

Step out for a quick lunch any given weekday, or pop into your local café over the weekend. Chances are you’re going to see a variety of prepared meals, packaged and ready to go. Nothing new there, right? But consider for a moment the quality of that meal compared to what the standard was just years ago. In many cases, there’s a shift in focus to ensure that pre-packaged lunches, dinners, and snacks are made from fresh, quality ingredients – sometimes even locally sourced. This growing trend is taking the dining world by storm, and progressive businesses are taking note.

What is fast casual and why is it gaining so much popularity?

Fast casual falls between drive-thru grub and casual, sit-down restaurants. Typically this appeals to people on the move who know that you don’t need full table service in order to get a good meal. And they also know that just because it’s fast doesn’t mean it’s processed or frozen.
Last year, The Washington Post published an article that helped to break down some findings from the research firm Euromonitor.From this we learned that “the market for fast casual food … has grown by 550 percent since 1999, more than ten times the growth seen in the fast food industry over the same period.” That’s a whole lot of Chipotle burritos and Panera bread bowls.

How can packaging enhance prepared meals?

We shop with our eyes, especially when it comes to food. Those who run a restaurant, café, bakery, or deli are very aware of this. That’s why when it comes to fast casual, we’re seeing so many thoughtfully arranged prepared meals, intended to entice busy lunch-goers and diners on the run. And when all this effort goes into a meal that a customer is taking home, you know that the packaging needs to be a cut above the rest.
Using the container that best fits the product is crucial. Because the packaging can make a product pop, and in turn increase sales, we see many fast casual dining establishments use carriers that provide at least a glimpse of the food. Food containers like the Bio-Pak View line http://www.mrtakeoutbags.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=02BPVWERTM&Store_Code=mrtakeoutbags can provide just that.
Or maybe you need a product that is as eco-friendly as it is practical, like these recycled kraft fry trays.
Perhaps your famous eggrolls need to stay crispy, and can do just that with the help of ventable plastic containers.
And sometimes a perfect, freshly baked bagel in the morning just needs a little something extra to meet peak packaging, like a sandwich bag.

Why go the custom route with fast casual?

Not only does a to-go container need to be the right type and size for a packaged meal, it should also reflect your brand. This leads to consistency within your shop as well as brand recognition. Not to mention it gets your name and logo out and about to wherever your customers may wander. Is your café’s famous soup served in a to-go cup that bares your brand name? You can be sure that will be seen around the office. Are your sandwiches wrapped in customized paper? That will certainly get noticed at the tailgating party. Your products are distinct, and your packaging should be as well.

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How Wine Bottle Carriers Can Help Your Business

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You may think it’s early to start thinking about the holidays, but when it comes to imported wine bottle boxes, it’s important to stay ahead of the game. These items sell out faster than anything else we carry – and for good reason, too. These Italian imported wine gift boxes are often used for packaging corporate gifts for the holidays, retirement, or business milestones. Other businesses, such as wineries, breweries, and boutique markets use these for specialty packaging and gift-giving.

For corporations

Plenty of businesses give gifts to employees and clients to show their appreciation, especially during the holiday season. The imported wine bottle carriers and wine gift boxes add a classy touch. The carriers come in one, two, and three bottle options, which allow you to decide the appropriate size of your gift.

Check out: The Argento Metallic Silver single bottle carrier

For boutique markets

It’s not easy trying to compete in the market today. Step up your visual appeal by packaging your goods in one of these boxes. With a wide array of colors, sizes, styles, and even textured finishes, an imported gift box is sure to get noticed. And it’s a great way to represent your brand. It can be used for wine, of course, but you can also package gifts, sample kits, and even clothing.

Check out: The Bordeaux Textured Rib 2 bottle box

For wineries and breweries

Of course, we didn’t forget about the companies that make all those bottle spirits! These are a must-have for wineries and breweries. Add a level of professionalism to your presentation and watch your sales improve. Take it to the next level by adding your logo to the box.

Check out: The Oro Matte Gold 3 bottle carrier

Remember, these and other imported items items can be printed to feature your logo on them. Learn more about that by calling one of our packaging experts at 888-321-2248 Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

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In Products

Pink Packaging for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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Pink used to be a color that was saved for little girls, Pepto-Bismol, and piggy banks. But Breast Cancer Awareness Month has changed all of that. The month of October now brings about plenty of pink – all for a great cause. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with breast cancer survivors, their families and supporters (men, women, boys and girls from all walks of life) donning pink clothing and using pink products. They’re all showing support by bringing attention to this disease that affects millions of women each year.

MrTakeOutBags.com has a full line of pink food packaging products from cupcake boxes to take out bags. Or, choose our specially-marked boxes of pink tissue and the manufacturer will make a donation to Susan G. Komen® for the Cure, a national foundation supporting breast cancer research.

BTW: These items are STILL perfect for a little girl’s birthday party or for a baby shower.

Pink SWAG Bag                           

Choose from some great options when packing lunches, promotional products, gifts, food or retail products with our Parisian Pastry Gable Box, or our Parisian Pastry Shopping Bags.

Pink Boxes

Whether it’s a Pink Strawberry Tinted Individual Cupcake Box, or a Pink Strawberry Tinted 4 Pack Box, you can show your support for the strides being taken to defeat breast cancer with every package that leaves your shop.

Put a Pink Bow On It

Even the subtle expression of using a pink ribbon on your packaged products can signify your support for National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Check out our Beauty Splendorette Curling Ribbon, the Cupcake Design Ribbon, or the Hot Pink Single Faced Satin Ribbon.

Pink Tissue

Pink Menu Food Grade Tissue is one of the most cost efficient products available to show your support and add an elegant touch of pink. This particular product is specially priced in support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and its promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever. With every purchase, the manufacturer will make a donation to Susan G. Komen® for the Cure, a national foundation supporting breast cancer research.

Still have questions?

If you still have questions about pink packaging products? Check the product pages for more details, or give us a call at 888-321-2248. We’re here to answer your questions and to help you find a product that fits your needs.

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In Food

What You Need to Know About Meal Prep

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The latest fitness craze doesn’t involve crash dieting or so-called miracle pills. And it doesn’t require an expensive juicer, either. Instead, the newest buzz in healthy living is meal prep. It’s simple, easy to follow, and offers a lot more than just salads.

What is it?

Meal prep is perfectly portioned out healthy meals. They are made in advance so that when you’re ready to eat, you can just pop them in the microwave and have a guilt-free meal in a matter of minutes. Prepared meals like this are also great on-the-go. Bring them to work or the gym and know you have a meal you can feel good about. Plus, with the convenience of the meal being already made, it’s easier to resist the temptation of fast food.

Who’s doing it?

Healthy prepared meals are popping up all over the place, both online and in local markets. There are even lots of home delivery companies that deliver prepared meals right to your doorstep. With companies like Healthy Meals Direct in New York, PREP’D in Oklahoma, or Wolf Meal Prep out of Canada we’re seeing fresh and healthy options available all over.

What do you use for it?

Naturally, you want to package these meals in a container that is freezer safe and microwaveable. Ideally, the container is also reusable. Thankfully, we have just the thing. Reusable plastic meal prep containers from CuBE Plastics fits all these criteria. The standard look is a black base with a clear lid, but we like having options. That’s why we also stock lime green bases and bright orange bases. These help your brand stand out among the competition, but they also help your food presentation pop!

 

Already found the meal prep container of your dreams? Maybe it’s time to put your logo on it. Our Packaging Advisors can talk to you about the options that are available to help boost your meal prep business. Give them a call at 888-321-2248 to learn more.

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In Branding

San Antonio Specialty Bakery Refuses to be Generic

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Specialty goods call for specialty packaging.

At the North Star Mall in San Antonio, Texas there is a popular new bakery kiosk where new and returning customers alike are finding rare treats: mini doughnuts and mini churros. Karla Peña is the majority owner and CEO of Mini Delights. According to her, Mini Delights is the only spot in the area where you can find these delectable sweets. That, and the fact that they are a growing business trying to make a name for themselves, is what drove Peña and her team to custom print all of their food packaging.

Build brand recognition

“It was especially important for us to put our logo on the items,” explains Peña, “because we were trying to build our brand from scratch. We didn’t want generic items. Instead, we wanted our products to carry our logo.” And it’s clearly having a positive impact on the business.

“We definitely see people come in because they saw our logo. They tell us, ‘Your stuff is all over our break room, so I had to come see what the craze is all about!’ We have seen immediate, direct impact from the printed packaging,” says Peña. “If the logo wasn’t there, people wouldn’t know where to find us.”

Maintain a common theme

Part of the business strategy was to keep things consistent too. Peña explains that the logo needed to be on everything, even the paper. “People take our food and walk around the mall, or post pictures on social media.” And the social media has been a huge push for Mini Delights.

“Customers will post that they finally found a place that has mini churros and mini donuts. Often people tell us that they haven’t had these things since they were kids, eating them at the fair.” Peña says that Mini Delights is the only place in San Antonio to carry these items. “And if customers were posting pictures of the items in a nondescript bag, it wouldn’t help. People don’t always link back to you, so putting our logo on the packaging is the best way to go.”

Put your logo on everything

Are customers posting pictures of your food? Then it’s time to start thinking about putting your logo on the packaging. Give our experts a call at 888-321-2248 to learn more about how you can boost business and increase brand recognition.

 

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In Products

Grease Resistant Paper: Are you doing it right?

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Dear Food Industry,

To those who serve up loaded nachos, stacked cheeseburgers, and anything that involves bacon: we thank you. Like so many other adoring fans, when we indulge in greasy food we enjoy every moment of it (except the heartburn). Everyone deserves a cheat day, right? But the one thing that truly turns us off from these delicious treats is when we see a paper bag or a basket liner become translucent from the grease.

That can easily be avoided, though, when you choose the right paper packaging. With the correct food tissue, your food presentation remains as lovely as when it left the kitchen, rather than tainted with oil slicks. For takeout, make sure you have the best-suited paper bags to avoid grease seepage.

Food Grade Tissue

Whether it’s a basket or tray liner, or a sandwich wrap, food tissue works as the first defense on grease. So make sure you get it right. There are four standard grades of tissue paper available: lightweight, high performance, ultra performance, and grease resistant. If you’re a bakery and you need tissue to grab a pastry and put it in a bag, you’ll want to opt for the lightweight. Many restaurants are better served by the high or ultra performance, depending on the severity of oil. And grease resistant is perfect for wrapping sandwiches.

Get even more details right here.

Paper Takeout Bags

Burger joints, listen up. When we order a burger and fries to go, we prefer not having the grease transfer to our pant leg or car seat. Avoid this mess with a grease resistant lunch sack. With a variety of sizes – and colors – available, it’s easy to find the ones that work best for your meals. Find grease resistant recycled brown paper Kraft bags here and grease resistant white paper bags here. And for fries, opt for grease resistant, oven-safe small paper snack bags.

Pastry and Sandwich Bags

Doughnuts, buttery croissants – even toasted sandwiches – deserve the right type of paper bag packaging. Many of the sweet treats that are made with butter require a paper bag that will slow down the transfer of grease. Keep your customers’ fingers free of oily messes by using the right paper pastry bags. For sandwiches, go for the gusseted larger bags. And for on-the-go snacks, try out the grease resistant double-opening paper bags.

Not sure if you’re using the right paper packaging for your takeout food and baked goods? That’s alright, we have experts who can help with that. Go ahead and give our Packaging Advisors a call at 888-321-2248 Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6 pm. They can help get you the right option for your needs.

Using the right paper and ready to put your logo on it? We can help with that, too. Check out the work we’ve done and give us a call.

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In New Jersey Printed Tissue is the Secret Weapon in Food Truck Wars

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Secret Weapon Printed Tissue

People in the New Brunswick, NJ area are no strangers to the Cheezen gourmet grilled cheese food truck. The eye-catching vehicle, with its illustrated gooey cheese and the wide-smiled mascot, is hard to miss. And even though the company has created quite a name for itself, owner John Gentile knew that there was more that could be done.

How it all began

“It all started with making dinner for my kids,” says Cheezen owner John Gentile. “And then it hit me! I have fifteen years of food service experience. And I’ve always loved food trucks. I knew I could give people great food. Food that reminds us of when we were kids.”

So in October of 2014 Cheezen began with a small, 10-foot trailer. “Now we have two trucks, a trailer, and a store front in New Brunswick attached to the iconic Olde Queens Tavern,” says Gentile.

“Some days are rough and they can get long,” he says. “But then I see our customers line up for our food, and take pictures of it. And then they do the happy food dance because they feel like a kid again.”

Brand recognition

Gentile noticed more and more people snapping pics of the grilled cheeses and he knew he needed to jump on that to push his brand even further. He realized the need to “make a presence in the market,” as he puts it. Custom printed food tissue made sense as an economical way to get the company’s name in each and every picture his customers posted on social media.

“We always hear potential customers asking people who just purchased a grilled cheese from us, ‘Hey, where did you get that?’ So with the branded basket liners, there is no question about where to go!”

Standing out

In addition to getting the company name out there, Gentile put the Cheezen logo on the tissue to get a leg up on the competition – of which there is no shortage. “In order to be above the rest,” explains Gentile, “you need to make a presence at events. You can see hundreds of people walking around with our product in a customized package, rather than a generic red and white food tray.”

When asked if he sees the printed tissue having an effect on his business, Gentile responds, “Absolutely! I try to ask all my customers how they heard of us. They’ll tell me that they saw me at this event or that location. I think we have a better presentation of product and they can see that we put more effort into the delivery of what we’re making.”

 

Interested in putting your company logo on your packaging? Give us a call! Our experienced advisors can be reached at 888-321-2248, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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In Food

The Top 5 Wildest Burgers in the US

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It’s true, there are a lot of unnecessary official food days on social media. Do we really need a day dedicated to the molasses bar or to turkey neck soup? Probably not. But on September 18 MrTakeOutBags will proudly show lots of love to a food well-deserving of praise and admiration: the cheeseburger. All over the country restaurants are concocting some of the wildest burgers. From bizarre flavor combinations to gargantuan portions, these are a few of the craziest burgers we’ve seen.

 

Piggy Butter and Jelly at Burgatory

from Burgatory Instagram

With eight locations in and around Pittsburgh, Burgatory is a staple among locals. They boast several drool-inducing temptations, but perhaps the most alluring is the Piggy Butter and Jelly burger. What makes this one so memorable is not only the bacon that’s in the ground beef, and not just the candied bacon on top of the patty. It’s the strangely delicious mix of peanut butter, spicy pepper jelly, American cheese, and pickles.

Quadruple Coronary Bypass Burger at Vortex 

For those in the Atlanta area looking for a challenge, head to Vortex in Atlanta for the Quadruple Coronary Bypass Burger. Estimated at 9,600 calories, this staggering beast replaces your everyday buns with four Texas toast patty melts. And that’s just the start of it. 32 ounces of ground sirloin, 28 slices of cheese, 27 strips of bacon, and 12 ounces of mayo later, you’ve got yourself a monster. Served with cheesy bacon French fries in case you’re still hungry.

Pig Beach Burger at Pig Beach 

from Pig Beach Instagram

It sounds simple enough: meat, cheese, pickles, and sauce. But at Pig Beach in New York City, it’s the attention to detail that makes this such a notable burger. The pickles are house-made, and the secret sauce is the perfect complement to this cheesy, gooey mess. Available as a single, double, or triple.

Squeeze Burger with Cheese Skirt at Squeeze Inn

Cheese lovers, your prayers have been answered. Finally there is a burger that moves the spotlight from beef to dairy. The famous Squeeze Inn (multiple locations) brings us the Squeeze Burger with Cheese. But it’s not just a slice of cheddar, half-melted on top of a patty. The crispy, melty “cheese skirt” is made by piling shredded cheese on top of and around the burger while it’s on the grill. As decadent as it is photogenic!

The FleurBurger 5000 at Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino

Then there’s the country’s most luxurious, most expensive burger. At Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, the FleurBurger 5000 will set you back a whopping $5,000. What makes it so pricey? It’s made from Kobe beef, topped with foie gras and truffles, served between a truffle-laced bun, and completed with a side of fries (with truffle sauce) and paired with a vintage wine and two fancy-pants souvenir glasses.

 

Let us know if we didn’t cover your favorite far-out burger!

 

If your restaurant is looking for printed packaging or stock items, we can help. Please call our experienced advisors at 888-321-2248, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Custom Tissue Paper & Social Media

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Custom Tissue Paper and Social Media

Leveraging Food Photography & Social Media with Custom Printed Tissue

The food photo: we’ve all seen them parading down our news feeds, making mouths water and stomachs growl. We tend to share these posts because eating is a communal thing, and what bigger community to share with than the world of social media?

A report from Omnicore shows that there are currently 700 million active Instagram accounts, and 400 million active daily users. That’s a whole lot of audience to get in front of.

In addition to selfies and sunsets, pictures of food are among the most popular focal points for users. Need more proof? Instagram’s busiest day is Thanksgiving. And the most popular food photographed is pizza.

 

 

 

Instagram Thanksgiving Posts
Instagram Thanksgiving Posts

 

 

 

Over on Pinterest food is the most popular topic. The online marketing site Rocket Post claims that “While the average social shopper spends an average of $60 when coming from Facebook, she spends $140 when coming from Pinterest.”

The Numbers

It’s no surprise that restaurants, food trucks, bakeries, and delis are using social media to boost brand awareness. Each photo a customer posts is a marketing opportunity. While hashtags and geotagging help, you can’t always rely on the customers to divulge just where that gourmet donut came from.

As a business owner you really want customers to share that info with followers. According to a study conducted by Social Chorus of 400 millennials surveyed, 98% of them said that they are more likely to engage with a post from a friend rather than a brand’s post. Those are the same millennials that will have more buying power than other generations by 2017.

Making a Mark with Custom Printed Food Tissue

That’s what makes custom sandwich wraps and basket liners so significant. Consider a photo of your restaurant’s most popular menu item. Now picture it resting on custom tissue paper that boasts your company’s logo. Sometimes the most successful marketing comes from one happy customer snapping a shot of her favorite meal.

custom food tissue paper

Which custom tissue is right for you? There are four levels available:

  • Lightweight – Also known as pick-up tissue, it’s often used when grabbing a pastry for a customer. These are somewhat translucent because they’re thinner (roughly 13# basis weight) and, if you hadn’t guessed by the name, rather light. They are the delicate baby of the tissue family. They’re lightly waxed, thinner sheets used for cold, dry foods or to wrap a hot dog.
  • High Performance – Next up is a heavier weight sheet that clocks in as an 18# basis weight sheet that can handle lots of jobs. They’re great as a tray liner when serving moist, cold or hot and somewhat greasy foods. Or use them with a BioPak or a disposable lunch boxes as a way to spice up the out-of-box experience for your customer.
  • Ultra Performance – This one is tougher, weighing in at 20# basis weight and has a dry waxed finish on one side. Reach for this one when you want a heavyweight compostable dry waxed sheet that can stand up to even the messiest meatball sub or Philly cheesesteak.
  • Grease Resistant – The name says it all, and the paper is heavier, at about 20.5# basis weight and treated to be grease resistant, no wax is used. These sheets are intended for wrapping food, like sandwiches or subs with the printed logo facing outward.

 

If you’re thinking it’s time to up the ante on your brand marketing, consider the power of customized tissue or one of our stock print designs. Or even just a solid color waxed tissue to spice up your culinary creations. If you want to learn more about the various paper weight options, or if you want to chat further about how this style of branding, give us a call at 888-321-2248.

 

 

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From Good to Great with the Right Packaging: Ronatta’s Cakery

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Working with Ronatta’s Cakery

We’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with many growing businesses. We watched them start out, open their doors to the public, and over time become successful and gain notoriety among their community. And we’re grateful for the chance to be involved with the process by providing top-notch food packaging. With our friends over at Ronatta’s Cakery in Orofino, Idaho it was no exception.

The family owned and operated bakery opened in 2009 and had been doing well. But in the spring of 2016 they approached us, and wanted to take their food presentation to the next level.

 

Ronatta's Cakery Bags

Adding Color

“The doughnuts used to be in a plain box with a piece of plain parchment paper,” explains the bakery’s Marketing Coordinator Whitney Rales. “Ronatta, the owner, had outgrown that and wanted something bigger. Now we do everything in pink.” Before even going to a logoed box, Rales explains that they started small, with pink and chocolate brown bakery tissue. “People noticed that,” says Rale, “and they liked it.”

 

Adding a Logo

The next step was to put their logo on their packaging. They began by getting strawberry pink bakery boxes and having us hot stamp their logo on them in chocolate brown. “We had a big conversation about it and we talked about how it adds to the perceived value. We have a great product and we want people to know that,” says Rales. “Now people see the pink box and they know it’s from us. People instantly associate the pink box with Ronatta’s Cakery.” The complemented the boxes with paper shopping bags. They were chocolate brown with the log in pink.

Ronatta's Cakery Bags

 

Since then, the bakery has graduated to selling espresso drinks as well. What better way to advertise than to put those drinks in custom printed coffee cups? The company now carries two sizes of hot coffee cups that don the all-pink design along with the bakery’s name and signature logo. “They’re one of a kind. In the surrounding area we are the only ones with something like this,” Rales explains. “It sets us apart. People can tell that they’re getting something special.”

 

 

 

Thinking it’s time for your business to bloom? Contact our Packaging Advisors for insight and assistance. They can help get your company name out there and in front of a larger audience. Call them at 888-321-2248 Monday through Friday, 8: 30 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

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