MrTakeOutBags.com Blog
Author

MrTakeOutBags.com Foodservice Jesse Harster Blog

Browsing
In Food

The Cheesiest Way to Celebrate April 12th

No Comments

Whether you’re a grilled cheese purist, or you prefer to fill your hot sandwich with far-out ingredients, this upcoming food holiday is a day for everyone. National Grilled Cheese Day is on April 12 and we’ve found the best places to celebrate, recipes to try, and of course, we’ve got the ideal way to present that delicious, golden brown sandwich.

from @thegrilledcheeserie

Where to Celebrate

Melt Bar & Grilled – Multiple locations around Cleveland, Ohio

Grilled cheese enthusiasts travel from all over to get their hands on one of the famously large melty sandwiches from Melt Bar & Grilled. Many have even tried to tackle the restaurant’s 5 pound grilled cheese challenge. Made up of 13 different cheese and three slices of bread – served with fries and coleslaw – many have tried, but few have succeeded. Do you think you could do it?

The Grilled Cheeserie – Nashville, Tennessee

What started as a food truck has grown into an equally popular brick-and-mortar destination spot for cheese lovers. There’s an option to make your own concoction, but you can’t go wrong with any of their expertly paired ingredients.

The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen – San Francisco, California and Fort Myers, Florida

Now this is a shop that takes cheese seriously. Artisan ingredients result in stellar sandwiches with exquisite flavor combinations. Oh, and they come to you with the option to cater events.

Presentation is Everything

from the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen @theamericansf

Just ask our friends over at Cheezen – presenting with branded basket liners is the way to go. That gooey sandwich looks amazing as is, but when it’s properly displayed on customized wax paper it reaches new heights. Show your customers that you’re dedicated to the grilled cheese cause with a perfectly presented grilled cheese. And don’t forget the snack bags for your side order of fries!

Give our experts a call and let them help you enhance the way customers see your food.

888-321-2248

Read More
By
In Products

What You Need to Know about Plastic Straws

No Comments

Recently we’ve seen a big shift in the way drinks are served. It’s the straws that are changing. There’s a cultural shift happening that’s leaving plastic straws in the dust in favor of compostable straws. Take a look at Walt Disney locations, which plan to no longer have plastic straws or stirrers by the middle of 2019. And Starbucks plans to phase out plastic straws from their shops by 2020. The coffee giant will instead introduce a sippy cup-style lid that eliminates the need for straws altogether.  Taking it a step further, the entire city of Seattle put a ban on plastic straws and any other non-recyclable forms of cups and utensils in the food service industry.

soon to be gone: Starbucks to remove all plastic straws from their stores

Why the Change?

The intention of this global shift is to reduce waste – especially waste that is ending up in the ocean. With viral videos like one that shows a sea turtle having a straw removed from its nose, there’s no question that straws are detrimental to wildlife as well as their environment.

While every effort counts, research has shown that straws are not the biggest bad guys when it comes to marine pollution. But that doesn’t mean the food service industry should halt its attempts to be more eco-friendly.

Ready to Swap out Plastic?

If you’re thinking of making the switch from plastic to more eco-friendly straws, let us first say, good for you! Not sure where to begin when it comes to compostable straws? That’s no problem, we got you covered. Currently, we stock drinking straws that are 100% compostable and biodegradable. But stay tuned. We have several paper options coming this fall! Make sure you’re in the know by signing up to receive our monthly newsletter, or give our experts a ring at 888-321-2248 for more information.

Read More
By
In News

Going Green for St. Patrick’s Day

No Comments

With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, we’re seeing a huge influx in the need for festive, green packaging. We rounded up some of our most popular emerald sellers along with some of the very best eco-friendly items. Because being green can be more than just one thing!

 

Planet+ Double Wall Coffee Cups

The name says it all. These insulated coffee cups were made with the Earth in mind. Their double wall construction means that a sleeve, or java jacket, isn’t required. That’s one less thing to have to make and buy. The cups are also constructed from plant material; and when you’re done you can recycle or compost them.

 

custom printed Planet Plus cups

Green Plastic Containers

Meal prep has never looked fresher! Use these microwave-safe meal containers come in a bright lime green to help elevate the presentation of your product.  

 

Reusable Grocery Bags

What’s greener than a bag that can be used over and over? Available in a variety of sizes and colors – including green – our reusable tote bags offer a great way to show your customers that you’re committed to reducing your carbon footprint. And to help ensure that your customers remember exactly where that nice, reusable bag came from, simply get your logo printed on them. (Psst, we can help with that!)

 

Green Coffee Sleeves

While they might be available in five rich colors, the vibrant green java jacket is clearly the go-to for this month.

Oval Burrito Bowls

These are one of our newest items, and it’s also one of the best-selling items. For good reason, too. Customers love that the bowls are convenient for fast causal meals, but they’re also made from plant material and can be composted after using.

Give our Packaging Advisors a call and see what they can do for you today.

888-321-2248

 

Read More
By
In Branding

Building Your Brand with Packaging

No Comments

Branded packaging is more about credibility and perception than it is about providing something to carry your product. Having your company name, logo, slogan or graphics added to your packaging represents so much more.

The pricier the product is, the greater impact will come from branding the packaging. No customer wants to walk away with an expensive purchase, carrying a cheap looking package. Customers want to be proud of their purchases. And a well-developed brand enhances that perceived value.

Marketing Dollars Hard at Work

You could be offering the best coffee in the city, but if it’s in a Styrofoam cup, nobody will take you seriously. But, serve that same beverage in an environmentally-friendly paper cup with your shop’s logo on it? People will remember it and identify with your brand.

You could serve the best sandwich in the state, but nobody will remember it if it’s sitting on a plain sheet of tissue when its photo is posted to Instagram. Showcase that same delicious sandwich on a branded tissue, and everyone will know where to go the next time they’ve got a craving.

Create a Buzz

You could be selling the best wine in the region. If you’re giving customers their bottle in a plain bag, though, nobody will recognize your product when they pass your customers on the street. Present your wine bottles to the customer in a shopping bag with your brand’s name showing and people will take notice.

You could make the best pastries in the land, and nobody will know they’re yours if they’re in a plain box. But, pack those same pastries in a nice bakery box that has your bakery’s name on it, and suddenly everyone knows that it was made with pride.

Boost Brand Awareness and Company Credibility

Branding is about more than slapping a name on a cup, a bag, a box, or a basket liner. Branding is about credibility, awareness, satisfaction, and desire. It’s about the emotional bonding that takes place with your customers. And it’s an intangible value that can’t be denied.

Not sure where to begin? Not a problem! Let our Packaging Advisors guide you through the process of going from boring to branded. Give them a call at 888-321-2248 Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

Read More
By
In Food

Why You Won’t be Eating at the Hottest New Restaurants

No Comments
virtual-restaurants

It seems like ages since takeout was limited to two options: pizza and Chinese food. With a growing variety of delivery services popping up (think GrubHub, Seamless, Postmates, and even UberEats) the options have expanded exponentially. With more people opting for prepared meals rather than homemade ones, it seems a natural progression to see virtual restaurants. Also known as ghost or digital restaurants, virtual restaurants function in commissary kitchens and make food exclusively for delivery. There’s no dine-in option, just a hot meal delivered right to your door. Virtual restaurants exist to inflate dinner options while simplifying the process of getting the food from kitchen to customer.

HOW THEY WORK

The genius of this business design is its simplicity. A small, efficient kitchen works to create top-notch meals. Then, food delivery services are brought in to do what they do best: bring you your meals as quickly as possible.

HOW THEY SAVE RESTAURATEURS MONEY

For starters, there’s no front-of-house. No wait staff, no bartenders, no liquor license required.

Secondly, there is less space required and no need to worry about being located in a trendy neighborhood. This lowers the cost of rent, which can often break a new restaurant.

Perhaps most importantly; the kitchens operate efficiently. In some cases they’re set up like assembly lines to maximize speed when producing a great number of lunches and dinners. Several owners figured out that they can use one kitchen to create multiple menus. Now customers can order dinner from a burger joint, a vegetarian spot, and a trendy poke bowl place. And it might all come from the same kitchen, made by the same people.

WHERE CUSTOM PRINTING COMES IN

Let’s say a restaurant owner has created three different virtual restaurants that all operate out of the same kitchen. Each entity requires its own menu and its own identity. But how can that be accomplished when customers don’t have a physical restaurant to relate to the food? That’s where the right packaging comes in. Just consider the benefits of sending food out in the appropriate, on-trend packaging that bears the company logo. There’s also the option to cross-promote all the “restaurants” that use the same kitchen. So a customer who orders poke will get dinner in a paper bag that also promotes your burger joint. Without the physical restaurant for the customer to associate with the food, they will rely heavily on the branding.

Whether you run several virtual restaurants or one physical spot or food truck, never miss an opportunity to get your company logo out there. Don’t know where to begin? Let us help. Call our experts at 888-321-2248 for assistance.

Read More
By
In Products

Printed Tray Liners Improve Fast Casual Dining

No Comments

We love what we do. Each day we get to speak with a variety of different food industry folks. Each one has their own flavorful product to add to the market, and we get to hear about each one. These daily conversations also give us an early taste of some of the hottest up-and-coming food trends. One thing we see popping up in more places – especially trendy fast casual joints – is printed tray liners.

From @blueribbonfc – Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken in NYC
Photo by @artsandfood_nyc

The New Cafeteria Tray

For many, the thought of a cafeteria will conjure up images of lunch ladies in hairnets, dolling out mounds of indistinguishable slop. But there’s the smallest sparkle of nostalgia there, too. That nostalgia for the past is what’s driving trends in all industries, especially food. That’s why we’re seeing so many of our favorite fast casual restaurants serving up lunch on trays. But there’s more than a longing for the past, here. The trays obviously hold more food – ideal for any restaurant that sells side dishes. (And honestly, who doesn’t?) Trays make the food’s trip from the kitchen to the customer a breeze.

From The Sandwich Society in Santa Ana

The Social Media Marketing Opportunities

When orders get to the table, expertly displayed, it’s perfect for customers to snap a pic for social media. Now just imagine your company logo splashed across the background of that photo. It’s easy to do when you invest in custom printed tray liners. You don’t need us to tell you that social media is the fastest word-of-mouth advertising a company can hope for.

Boost those Marketing Dollars

Not sure you want to put the money into food packaging? Well keep in mind that this is more than just packaging – it’s your marketing budget hard at work. It’s brand recognition through social media posts. It’s the chance to elevate not only your food presentation, but to also raise the perceived value of the entire meal. Branded paper allows customers (and potential customers) get a real feel for your business, its products, and the overall quality they can expect to see. Still think it’s better to just use plain, off-the-shelf tray liners?

Give our Packaging Advisors a call to discuss getting your logo onto tray liners.

888-321-2248 – Monday through Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST

Read More
By
In Branding

One Color Printing

No Comments

You may think that custom printing needs to have a lot of flashy colors in order to have an impact. Sure, a multicolor takeout bag, for example, may get noticed by some, but it’s not always the best route. Sometimes simple is best. And when it comes to custom branded food packaging, single color printing can be your best friend.

Impact

 

Think about it, how many colors is the Starbucks logo? How about Target’s logo? They are only one color and they are instantly recognizable. When you get too many colors involved with your logo, it can become difficult for people to really remember it or know it when they see it. When someone sees the Coca-Cola logo, they know immediately what brand it is. In fact, the marketing team at Coke may have influenced how we envision Santa Claus today.

 

Focus

Sticking with one color allows your customers to focus on what’s most important: the product behind the logo. Without the dizzying distractions of six different colors, people are able to focus on just the brand and what it means to them. Do you represent quality product? How about great customer service? These are the things that will come to mind when they are able to focus solely on your brand.

 

Price

This may come as no surprise, but in most cases printing one color is less expensive than printing multiple colors. Opting for one color is a great way to keep cost down while still investing in your brand. In fact, sticking with one color printing also allows for, in most cases, a lower minimum quantity to print. This allows you to test the waters with a small quantity order to see if it’s the right choice for you.

 

As we often say, printed packaging is like a walking billboard. Why dilute a striking logo with a variety of different colors when simplicity can have a bold effect. Still not sure? Give our Packaging Advisors a call to learn more. They can help you decide what type of printing, and on what item(s), is going to have the best overall effect on your business. Call today at 888-321-2248.

Read More
By
In Products

New Products That we Adore

No Comments

Love is in the air! We recently added several hot new items to our inventory and they are definitely crush-worthy. It comes as no surprise, then, that these sweet additions are gaining popularity. Just take a look at what we have in store now.

Divided Meal Prep Containers – New Lid!

Three Compartment food container

Don’t you just love when a good thing gets better? That’s what we’re seeing with our new two- and three-compartment plastic food containers that now feature a divided lid. It’s such a simple adjustment that was made to the original lid but boy does it make a huge difference. Now you can ensure that each compartment is sealed tight and won’t leak from one compartment to the next. Now you can add a side of sauce without fear of it mixing with the rest of the meal when it’s not supposed to.

4 and 6 Pack Bottle Carriers

There’s something about a good, clean design that we just can’t resist. That’s why we now carry these sturdy, yet sleek, bottle carriers. Available as a 4 pack and a 6 pack, these carriers are ideal for beer, but can easily be used for olive oil bottles, specialty sodas, or even beauty products in 12 ounce bottles. Choose natural kraft or black, or stock both and let your customers choose which one they prefer. Increase your product’s value by adding your company’s logo to these carriers.

 

Compostable Grab-n-Go Containers

You already know that we intentionally do not carry Styrofoam products, but did you know that we’re always looking for more eco-friendly options? Case in point, our new compostable take out containers. The container bases are made from compostable can fiber and do not contain plastic. These are great for grab-and-go meals, prepared salads, and they also work perfectly as burrito bowls.

Want to make sure you don’t miss a single new product, promotion, or MrTakeOutBags update? Then be sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read More
By
In Food

What Will Be on Our Plates in 2019?

No Comments

We love to look ahead and take a guess at what will become popular food trends. While there’s no scientific way for us to do this, we have a pretty solid way to research: eat everything! After a great deal of wining and dining, we’ve come up with a few good guesses as to what will be popular in the food industry next year.

After careful consideration (i.e. lots and lots of food), we picked a few of the food trends we expect – and hope – to see flourish in 2019.

 

Eat your veggies!

More vegetarian and vegan options

Who says a carnivore can’t enjoy a good, hearty vegan meal? We’ve seen restaurants and cafes popping up around the country that boast menus completely free of meat and, in some cases, free of any animal byproducts. Some of the most popular menu items you’ll see are meat alternatives, like the Impossible Burger. Take it from us, this trend shows no signs of stopping, and we’re a-ok with that.

 

Make great meals at home.

 

Delivered meal kits with more options

Nowadays there’s a meal kit for everyone. Today we’re seeing a bevy of subscription box options, and all with one thing in common: they can be delivered directly to your door. We anticipate seeing this trend continue, with even more options becoming available.

 

Locally-sourced ingredients surge in popularity.

Food with a purpose

More and more, we’re seeing chefs put their values right on the dinner table. In some cases it’s farm-to-table food that’s locally sourced. There are also more diet-centric eateries than ever before. There are a growing number of places where you can pop in and grab a quick but healthy (or gluten-free, or low carb, or high protein) meal on the go.

 

What do you think we’ll see in 2019? Let us know, we’d love to hear your predictions!

Read More
By
In Industry

Avoid Stolen Packages this Holiday Season

No Comments

In an age where online shopping becomes more and more prevalent, it’s an unfortunate fact that packages are getting stolen from front porches around the country. The holiday season can see a surge in deliveries and, as a result, a rise in robberies. Fear not, there are several effective ways to avoid having your goodies swiped.

Ship your order to your work

This is the simplest, most cost-effective way to ensure that your packages are delivered safely. This way they don’t sit outside, unattended for hours on end while you’re not home. As an added bonus, shipping to a commercial address rather than a residential address will result in cheaper shipping rates. It’s a win-win!

Security cams

There are many different options out there when it comes to security cameras. They range in price and ability. Some allow you to stream live video of your porch from wherever you are. And, if someone does run off with your package, there is documented evidence that can be used when filing a claim. In many cases, this helps you get your refund faster.

 

 

Sign up for delivery alerts

Sure, a delivery alert won’t guard your packages, but it will help keep you updated, and knowledge is power! Even making sure that you have your tracking number so that you can keep an eye on your order’s journey is a proactive way to keep deliveries safe.

 

Know the terms and conditions

And speaking of refunds, make sure you’re well versed in the company’s policy on stolen items. Some companies and artisan vendors will state on their website that they are not responsible for orders stolen after the delivery has been made. That being said, you should still contact the original shipper. If they can’t help you, it’s possible that your credit card issuer can.

 

Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed way to keep packages safe. But being proactive and well-informed will do wonders this holiday season and all year round!

Read More
By
Load More