mtob, Author at MrTakeOutBags.com Blog

In Food

Keeping Food Fresh in the Hot Sun

June 9, 2015 No Comments

Few things have the ability to ruin a wonderful bite of food like the hot summer sun does. Whether you have a hot meal, a cold meal, or a dessert, the sun and the heat can quickly have a negative impact on many takeout containers. The sun and extreme humidity can not only raise the temperature of the food inside a takeout container, but can also create condensation in the container, which will quickly turn the food held within into a giant soggy mess. Needless to say, this is not the kind of product that a food service company wants its customers to ultimately end up with.

As such, if your food service company is located in an area that gets hot and humid, it is extremely imperative that you take the right precautions when it comes to your takeout food, so that it can stay fresh and perfect even in wildly hot and humid air conditions. If you follow a few simple tips for proper to-go containers and takeout bags, you’ll be able to accomplish fresh food despite the weather conditions, and you’ll makes sure that your customers always have a pristine product to enjoy eating.

Paper Before Plastic

If there’s one thing to avoid when the weather is hot and humid, it’s plastic bags. First off, plastic bags are extremely thin, so they don’t offer any protection from the heat of the sun; they are essentially inviting the hot weather into the bag. Second, they have no absorption, so any condensation that occurs inside the back will end up on the outside of the to-go container, which makes it even more difficult for that container to retain a cool temperature.

A paper bag, on the other hand, is thick enough to keep from turning into a greenhouse for your food service company’s takeout meals. Since paper absorbs moisture, it will wick away any excess condensation, and keep it from ending up on the to-go container and harming the inside product.

Always Use Paper To-Go Boxes for Hotter Foods

If your takeout meal is a hot entree, you absolutely need to put it in a paper box, not a plastic one. Because the hot meal will automatically give off moisture, you need a paper box to absorb the excess liquid in the container. A plastic to-go box will simply collect the moisture on the roof of the box, and drip it back onto the food in the form of water, creating a painfully soggy meal in the process.

Place Baked Goods on Small Napkins

Baked goods contain lots of oils because of the amount of butter and fat that resides in them. As a result, when they get hot, the oils begin to melt and excrete. Placing a paper napkin at the base of your baked goods ensure that as the oils are released from the dessert, they’ll be sopped up by your container, and you won’t end up with a dessert with a soggy base.

Follow these basic tips, and you’ll have happy customers, no matter how hot it is outside. With over 80,000 satisfied customers from all across the nation, you can be certain that MrTakeOutBags.com is the top supplier for all your foodservice packaging needs. At MrTakeOutBags.com, we feature the largest in-stock selection of carryout bags, to-go boxes, bakery boxes and so much more to meet your every packaging need. Keep your customer’s happy all summer long with help from MrTakeOutBags.com.

In Products

Gable Boxes: Turn Ordinary Products into Extraordinary Pieces

June 5, 2015 No Comments

Gable boxes are perfect for just about any occasion. They’re easy to carry, they can hold almost anything that doesn’t require waterproof packaging containers, and they have a great appearance in and of themselves. That doesn’t mean that an up-and-coming food service business cannot do more with a plain gable box. Food service containers have always provided a great opportunity for restaurants to increase brand awareness and stand out in the minds of customers, and gable boxes are no different. Here are just a few things your takeout restaurant can turn the simple gable box into a marketing goldmine.

Attractive Prints

There are plenty of companies that allow you to order gable boxes wholesale, and most offer some very attractive stock prints for their containers. Stock prints may not seem that exciting if you want to give your packaging containers a unique look, but some vibrant color and a fun pattern can go a long way in keeping your business in the forefront of consumers’ minds. They are certainly better than a plain cardboard gable box, and you might even be able to save on printing costs if you find a stock print that matches the color scheme of your restaurant.

Stamping Your Logo onto Your Boxes

As attractive as a print on a gable box can be, there is something to be said for taking a plain brown box and stamping your business’s logo onto it. You may not have the flashiest packaging containers around if you go with this method, but that can have some charm in itself. A stamp on a plain box can give a feeling of authenticity and deliver the message that your restaurant is an independent small business. That is very attractive to certain consumers, and it could help drive business more than you might think.

Customizing Gable Boxes for Special Occasions

Since gable boxes are so simple and so easy to decorate and customize, they’re perfect for special occasions. Many businesses use gable boxes to send gifts to clients with some ribbon and a “Thank You” gift tag, and they can order special Christmas-themed boxes for the holidays. These kinds of boxes are much more effective than using the same boxes throughout the year; it shows customers that you care about them and that your business likes to celebrate special occasions. It’s also a great way to have fun with your packaging containers and get creative in a way that customers and even your business rivals can appreciate.

Your food service packaging should be treated as an extension of your brand, working to impress your customers in both quality and appearance. Give your to-go containers and gable boxes some extra pizazz with help from the food service packaging experts at MrTakeOutBags.com. With a huge in-stock selection and customizable packaging solutions, MrTakeOutBags.com is your one-stop-shop if you are looking to give your to-go packaging an extra edge over the competition. Browse our selection today and leave your customers with packaging that they’ll never forget!

In Products

The Importance of Presentation and Bakery Packaging

May 29, 2015 No Comments

photo credit: Bread, glorious bread! via photopin (license)

If you are a bakery owner who specializes in cakes, cupcakes, and other pastries that are often ordered to go—presentation and bakery packaging are of great importance. Your packaging is essential to ensure that your baked goods and pastries arrive at their destination looking and tasting as stunning as they did in the display case, but also plays a vital role in branding your business. Below are a few things to take into consideration when selecting your custom cake boxes.

The Perfect Shape and Size

When it comes to adequately securing decorative cakes and cupcakes, you must ensure that your packaging is the perfect shape and size. For example, a round cake box is likely to be a better solution for round cakes than a square or rectangular box that leaves too much excess room. Since modern cupcakes are topped with a variety of edible and decorative embellishments, you must consider cupcake packaging that ensures that their specialty décor is still stunning when it arrives at its destination.

Easy To Identify Before the Box Is Even Opened

When you hear the words “little blue box”, or when you see the distinctly colored blue box—you instantly think of Tiffany’s. By investing in custom cake boxes, you can build the same reputation for your brand amongst your local consumers—by adding signature features on your packaging. This could be something as simple as a signature color, signature graphics, or signature method of decorating the box—such as tying satin ribbons to all boxes.

The Feeling and Vibe You Want To Deliver

Consider what you want your clients to think and feel when your bakery comes to mind, or when they think of your signature baked goods. While you want to ensure that your bakery storefront has the vibe you desire, since most of your sweet treats are packaged to enjoy when outside of your bakery—it is your custom cupcake packaging, and custom cake boxes that will deliver the vibe you desire.

The Perfect Gift

Sweet treats are a popular choice as a hostess gift, birthday gift, holiday gift, or as a thoughtful gift anytime someone wants to let someone know they are thinking of them. This means that if your packaging is only ho-hum, you may not be the bakery of choice for gifts—even if your baked goods are superior to your competitors.

Whether you are in need of round cake boxes, custom cupcake packaging or new and improved packaging—consider how custom packaging solutions from MrTakeOutBags.com can help you to make a lasting impression. At MrTakeOutBags.com, we are proud to offer unique, innovative and premium quality food service packaging products that not only keep your baked goods and foods fresh, but help to add value to your brand and your product. Contact MrTakeOutBags.com today and discover how our food service packaging solutions can help build turn your business into a brand.

In Products

Infographic: Green Packaging Products & Their Return to the Environment

May 26, 2015 No Comments

Check out this info-graphic that explains how Green Packaging Products benefit the environment

In Products

Keeping Your Baked Goods Fresh Throughout the Day

May 22, 2015 No Comments

photo credit: Bakery via photopin (license)

Keeping Your Baked Goods Fresh Throughout the Day

As a bakery owner, you spend a significant amount of time creating your mouthwatering selection of pastries and baked goods for your customers to choose from. This is why it is essential to invest time and energy in ensuring that you preserve the freshness of your baked goods—and deliver only the highest quality to your customers. The tips below will help you to maintain in-store and at home freshness.

General Temperature and Humidity Control

The general temperature and humidity control inside of your kitchen and bakery must be maintained, regardless of the weather outdoors. Some pastries only do well in room temperature, while others do best in cool temperatures—and all do best when they have been allowed to fully and properly cool before being packaged or place in their display.

Learn What Should Be Refrigerated

A common misconception is that all baked goods will keep better if placed in the refrigerator, but this is far from the case. Pastries that are meant to be flaky and crisp may become tough and dry in the refrigerator. On the other hand, there are many cakes that will maintain their freshness when refrigerated—and many frostings and fillings that must be refrigerated, either for food safety or to maintain their texture.

Depending on what you have to offer your bakery may have a combination of both refrigerated pastry displays and room temperature pastry displays.

Sell Out On a Daily Basis

One goal you should set each and every day for your bakery is to sell out all of your pastries and baked goods by the end of each day. This means that you may need to offer a discount on items at the end of each day—and also that you offer your day-old bakery items the next day with a further reduced price. Also consider donating your day-old items to a nearby non-profit—which is tax deductible.

Identify Bread and Bakery Packaging

Whether all of your baked goods and pastries are prepackaged in the store or you package all of your items as ordered—identifying quality baked goods packaging is a must. Quality packaging such as bulk cupcake boxes and custom cake boxes will ensure that your baked goods arrived at their destination looking pristine, and as fresh as they were in-store. This means you may need to have a wide range of shapes and sizes to ensure that you have the appropriate cake boxes for every item you have to sell—or bulk cupcake boxes that hold a variety of numbers of cupcakes.

Following the tips above will ensure that you maintain the freshness of the delicious pastries and baked goods you work so hard to perfect. Make sure your customers are bakery quality freshness out of every bite with help from the baked goods to-go box products at MrTakeOutBags.com. With an extensive selection and guaranteed low prices, MrTakeOutBags.com has helped hundreds of bakeries and food service companies keep their products fresh with their innovative packing solutions. Don’t let your hard work suffer during transportation, contact MrTakeOutBags.com for all your food service packaging needs today!

In Branding

3 Ways to Make Your Custom Food Service Packaging More Memorable

May 19, 2015 No Comments

3 Ways to Make Your Custom Food Service Packaging More Memorable

Anybody who has ever worked in a bakery or restaurant knows it takes more than great food to be successful. There is a lot of competition out there, and a small bakery or cafe needs to be able to stand out in more ways than one. Having a superior product is important of course, but so is having memorable packaging. The right bread bags, cookie bags and other baked goods packaging can help even the smallest bakeries attract new customers and stand out from the competition.

Coming up with an attractive design for your to-go containers is ultimately up to you. As long as the containers are functional, you can add practically any design you wish. However, there are some tips and tricks that you might find useful if you really want your business to stand out. Here are just a few to keep in mind.

Keep It Simple Yet Attractive

The most important function of any food container (aside from being able to hold the food, of course) is to be able to advertise your business. Any logo or slogan you come up with should be eye-catching and attractive. At the same time, it needs to be kept simple; someone should know exactly what you are selling with a quick glance at your packaging.

Design Your Packaging with Function in Mind

Baked goods packaging doesn’t need to be very elaborate to be eye-catching. A box of cookies should be easy to carry and easy to open, yet it should also be able to keep any baked goods the customer has fresh until they reach their destination. Design a memorable logo and use plenty of bright colors, but, above all else, remember that to-go containers should be able to carry food with little trouble.

Put Your Business’s Contact Information on the Container

One great way to attract customers and ensure repeat business is to put your eatery’s contact information on your packaging. Smaller bread bags and cookie bags will at the very least have room for a phone number, while larger to-go containers may have room for a little more information. Some take-out restaurants have gotten away with putting a small menu on their packaging, but that may be too much information to put on a take-out container. Remember that you also want to keep your packing attractive; a long list of menu items and prices might take away from that.

These are just a few things to keep in mind as you design your eatery’s to-go packaging. You can be as creative as you want during the design process, but remember that your packaging should be easy to understand, eye-catching and functional.

One sure way to help your business stand out from the competition is to create custom to-go containers and cake boxes with help from the food service packaging experts at MrTakeOutBags.com. At MrTakeOutBags.com, we understand the importance of impression when it comes to your food service business. That is why we take the time to customize our to-go containers that are designed to show off your brand and your product. Browse our custom product gallery, and discover how MrTakeOutBags.com can create custom food packaging solutions suited to your brand!

In Branding

The Importance of Impression in the Food Service Business

May 14, 2015 No Comments

From the moment your customers begin walking directly towards your food service business, they are forming an opinion about everything from the quality of your food—to the quality of your service. Whether you are a sit-down restaurant, food truck or caterer, the importance of impression is paramount. Below are some of your greatest areas of opportunity when it comes to making a positive lasting impression.

Exterior and Entrance

Whether your restaurant is a freestanding location, part of a strip mall or provides food service in a branded food truck or catering van—the exterior must be pristine. While areas such as the parking lot or surrounding businesses are out of your control—there are many things that you can control. Consider:

Adequate Outdoor Lighting
Clean Windows
Clean Delivery Vehicles
Clean Walkways
Well Maintained Exterior Elements—Paint, doors, awning, patio furniture, signage, etc.

Once customers step inside your restaurant doors, they should be able to quickly and easily identify where to go in order to be seated—as well as which way the flow of traffic is supposed to move.

Interior

Cleanliness is a must for food safety—but superior cleanliness is also expected from every customer you serve. This means that the attention to detail you give to the cleanliness within your restaurant, delivery vehicle, or visible areas of your food truck must be pristine. This includes tiny details such as dusting baseboards and significant details such as busing tables in a timely manner—and ensuring that the bathrooms look and smell clean and fresh.

If you have a sit down restaurant, also pay particular attention to your cutlery, drinkware, plates, dishes, and table linens.

Presentation of Plated Food

As you serve your appetizers, side dishes, main course, and desserts—they must not only taste superb, but first and foremost must look amazing. This includes everything from the color combination, arrangement on the plate, and enticing aroma. Even if you serve fairly casual fare, look for ways to make it uniquely you with you things like a specialty sauce, signature garnish, or creative serving dishes.

Presentation of To-Go Foods

Even if you do not offer delivery, your food is likely to be ordered to go—or taken home as leftovers. This means that you must do more than just order disposable food containers, but find takeout containers that combine everything from convenience, branding, and superior functionality.

As a restaurant owner or operator, you get so used to your daily operations—that it is essential to keep all the tips above top of mind so that nothing slips through the cracks. Make sure you have your to-go food presentation on point with help from MrTakeOutBags.com. With an extensive selection of food packaging products and guaranteed low prices, MrTakeOutBags.com can help your business create an identity that leaves a lasting impression on your customers. From custom to-go containers to printed plastic carry-out bags, let MrTakeOutBags.com take care of all your food service packaging needs.

In Products

Origins of Chinese Takeout Boxes

May 12, 2015 No Comments

Origins of Chinese Takeout Boxes

When it comes to disposable food containers, there is perhaps nothing more iconic than Chinese takeout boxes. Despite being a wholly American creation, it has been associated with Chinese cuisine since its inception. They are easy to produce, convenient, and they feature an attractive origami-inspired design. They also unfold into plates for your cheap Chinese takeout dinner, a little-known fact that has only been recently rediscovered.

There are a lot of reasons to love Chinese takeout containers, but where did they come from? They certainly didn’t come from China or anywhere else in Asia. Like we said before, they are an American invention. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at the history of these iconic takeout containers.

Evolution from the Oyster Pail

The earliest version of the Chinese takeout container was patented by inventor Frederick Weeks on November 13, 1894. Weeks’ invention – which he referred to as a “paper pail” – was made from a single piece of paper that was folded into a virtually leak-proof container and secured with a wire handle. It seemed to have evolved from existing oyster pail technology, so much so that modern Chinese takeout containers are still sometimes referred to as oyster pails.

The Rise of Chinese-American Food

Chinese food got its start during the mid-1800s when an influx of Chinese immigrants settled in California during the Gold Rush. This led to the establishment of Chinatowns throughout the state and, later, the country. The Chinese restaurants that were opened during this time featured more traditional Chinese cuisine instead of the Americanized fare that people are familiar with today.

Chinese food didn’t catch on with mainstream America until after World War II. Chinese restaurants during this time would often have two menus: one that featured traditional Chinese dishes and one that catered to more American tastes. The “American” food became more popular over time, and it eventually evolved into what most people think about when they imagine Chinese takeout.

Chinese Food and Paper Containers

As Chinese food became more popular in the cities and suburbs in the 1950s, they began to be sold in now-familiar paper containers. The surprisingly sturdy disposable food containers seemed ideal for the growing popularity of Chinese takeout. Their flat surfaces made it easy to slide food onto plates, and the practically leak-proof design made carrying sauce-heavy foods a simple matter.

Paper takeout containers have come to represent Asian cuisine throughout the United States. The containers today are usually made from solid bleached sulfate paperboard instead of paper, but the design remains relatively unchanged. You can still find them in takeout restaurants across the country, and they remain as convenient as ever, especially when you convert them into your own dinner plate.

For these Chinese Takeout Boxes and more takeout containers, check out the selection at MrTakeOutBags.com, your go-to source for all your food service packaging needs. With the lowest prices and same day shipping, you can’t go wrong by ordering from MrTakeOutBags.com for all your food packaging needs.

In Branding

Using Custom Packaging to Set Your Business Apart

May 4, 2015 No Comments

Whether you have recently launched a startup in the food service industry, or have offered your food products for many years—if you have yet to invest in custom packaging, then now is the time to do so. The key points below are just a few of the reasons custom packaging can help to set your business apart from the competition.

Custom Packaging Plays a Vital Role In Branding

By adding elements such as design, color, and your logo to your custom cake boxes or takeout containers, you can successfully brand your business. While branding can offer the added benefit of increased advertising, it differs from advertising because your branding is an ongoing message of who you are, and how you want your customers to think and feel when they see your products. Even if your packaging differs in shape, size, or color from one product to the next—ensure that there are common threads in your packaging. For example, your design aesthetic and logo could be the same for all products—but the color scheme or seasonal décor may differ.

Makes You Look Like a Professional

As a small business owner, you are sure to be on the lookout for ways in which you can reduce costs—but you must also consider the value of custom packaging. While your custom cake boxes may cost a bit more to produce than a plain box, the value that they add it is worth the extra expense. Custom packaging will:

Make you look like a professional
Make your products more visually appealing
Make your food products look more mouthwatering

Does a Superior Job of Protecting Your Food Products

Another thing to keep in mind when you upgrade to custom takeout containers, or other custom food packaging options—is that you should not only look for ways to brand your products and make them more visually appealing, but also for ways to ensure they end up looking as good as they do when they arrive home—as when they left your restaurant or place of business. This is of increased importance if you are working with fragile food items such as baked goods, or food products that require shipping across country and around the globe. Your packaging is also essential for maximizing the shelf life of your tasty treats.

The factors above are just a few reasons to consider turning to custom packaging for all of your pickup, delivery, shipped, and in-store food products. For custom packaging solutions that are sure to turn heads, shop the selection of custom food service packaging options at MrTakeOutBags.com. At MrTakeOutBags.com, we see packaging as an opportunity to show off your product. Make sure you are sending your customers the right message, and shop MrTakeOutBags.com today!

In Products

5 Tips to Get Your Culinary Business Started

April 28, 2015 No Comments

5 Tips to Get Your Culinary Business Started

Congratulations—you have a passion for culinary arts and have decided to launch your own catering business! Success will require a lot of hard work and persistence, making the tips below are an excellent place to begin.

Identify Your Area of Expertise

Even if you are able to offer a little bit of everything, it is essential to identify 1 or 2 areas of expertise. This could be a type of food—such as Italian, a style of cooking—such as vegan or genre of foods—such as desserts.

Make Your Food Look As Mouthwatering As It Tastes—For Events Both Large And Small

To successfully launch a new catering business, you must possess more than the culinary skills required to make your food taste exceptional—but the artistic ability to make your food look as mouthwatering as it tastes. This is more challenging to achieve when catering, which is why it is essential to find to go containers that allow your food to maintain its quality, taste and appearance—and arrive to your destination ready to plate or serve.

Network With The Right People

Networking is the key to success for any startup, but as a caterer you must network with the appropriate people. Look for opportunities to network with party and event planners, wedding planners, and individuals who enjoy the food niche you specialize in. When networking remember that you must also have something to offer that is of benefit to those you are networking with. Some suggestions are to offer a discount on the first event you cater for them, drop off free samples of your food in take-out containers to their place of business—and of course refer your clients to the professionals you meet.

Market With Lots Of Quality Photos

As a catering professional, images are a must when it comes to all of your online and off-line marketing. While you are likely to invest a large amount of time creating an enticing title for each dish, and descriptive text associated with your most popular menu options—don’t underestimate the importance of a high quality image. Images truly speak a thousand words, and an image can land a sale—even before your prospect reads the description.

Brand Your Take Out Containers

If you provide catering services where you drop off food items for a gourmet dinner for two, or a romantic picnic in the park, make sure that your to-go containers are not only functional—but that they are personalized to further brand your business.

Using the tips above can help get your catering business started off on the right foot. Make sure your food’s presentation is on point with help from MrTakeOutBags.com. Offering custom branded to-go containers, boxes and plastic ware, MrTakeOutBags.com can help develop an identity for your catering business and set you apart from the competition. For an extensive selection guaranteed to meet all of your food service packaging needs, visit MrTakeOutBags.com today!

MrTakeOutBags.com Foodservice mtob Blog

Attractive Prints

Stamping Your Logo onto Your Boxes

Customizing Gable Boxes for Special Occasions