MrTakeOutBags.com Foodservice custom packaging Blog

Reusable bags are not only practical and eco-friendly, they are also an incredible marketing tool. Print your logo on reusable grocery bags to give customers a high-quality product they can use again and again, as they market your business all around town. Rather than spending thousands of dollars every year on printed ads, radio campaigns, or social media marketing, you can take advantage of this very effective and affordable method of weaving your business into your community.

Let Your Customers Handle the Marketing for You

The great thing about customizable reusable grocery bags is that they act as walking billboards for your business, only much more affordable and more fluid into society. These simple and sturdy products are mini-marketing campaigns that get your company’s name in front of a ton of new potential customers. When your customers and your fellow community members see people walking around town carrying bags printed with your logo, they will subconsciously begin to memorize your business’s name, and you will gain credibility as a professional and trust-worthy source.

Increase The Perceived Value of Your Products and Business.

Many shoppers trust reusable grocery bags for their efficiency and durability. These products are considered a must-have accessory whenever a trip to the store is necessary. Printing your business logo on a reusable grocery bag elevates the overall impression of your business by taking advantage of the methods other successful businesses use. If you market your brand on a high-quality product many customers already use, you will increase the perceived value of your brand and the products your business sells.

Save Money on Business Expenses with Free Advertising

There are certain things you will always need to purchase for your business. These items may be ingredients if you own a bakery, or culinary-related products if you own a specialty shop or grocery store. And if you have customers leaving your business with something in hand, they’re going to need a bag to carry it in. So why not combine the products you need to run your business with the advertising you need to grow it? Reusable tote bags come in a variety of colors and sizes, allowing you to find the one that is perfect for your business.

Spread the Word about Your Goods and Services Throughout Your Area

A billboard stays in one place and is usually on the roadside of a busy highway where people aren’t exactly paying attention to anything but the road. And ads in local papers and magazines are mostly effective for those who subscribe to those publications. The better way to get your company’s name throughout your city is to place it on something customers carry with them and which can be seen clearly by other shoppers and commuters in public.

You can take advantage of one of the best marketing methods that exist, combining well-circulated advertising with functional products people love and can use. Get your company’s logo printed on the customizable reusable grocery bags from MrTakeOutBags.com, choose from a variety of eye-catching colors, and let your happy customers do your marketing for you!

Sure, we all know that Custom Packaging and Branding your business is important, right?

Nothing new there.

But, today I wanted to share with you 3 awesome ways a few of our customers are putting a spin on custom packaging to help differentiate their businesses and drive sales.

So, outside of putting your logo, company name and contact info on your packaging…

What else can you do?

How else can you leverage your custom printed packaging?

Great questions. Glad you asked.

1. The “Bounceback”

So, if you’re not familiar, a bounceback is an offer or discount you give a customer after they’ve bought from you in order to entice them to come back, or “bounce back”.

And here’s the thing… they work fantastically.

Here’s how Walnut Grill is doing this RIGHT ON THEIR BAGS…

These bouncebacks can be just a straight offer to get people to come back…

Or, you might want to increase traffic and sales on certain days or times of the week. In that case, you would gear the offer to only being redeemable then.

2. The “Cross Promotion”

This is great if you have multiple locations or have two or more businesses. Why keep your budding empire a secret?

Let customers of your one business know about your other locations or  businesses. Work smarter and LEVERAGE your customer bases off of each other… growing both.

This is just smart marketing.

But what if you have only one business? Can you still apply this idea?

Absolutely. But you have to be a little more creative. Perhaps there’s another business in town that doesn’t directly compete with yours.

What if you two formed an alliance and using the same bag, cross promoted each other? Some might call that a “WIN-WIN.”

3. The “Exclusivity Principle”

Status. We all want it.

If it wasn’t for status… brands like Mercedes and Rolex WOULDN’T exist.

Let’s face it, functionally speaking, a Yugo or Timex gets the job done, right?

So, outside of just hiking up your prices… how do you apply exclusivity to your packaging itself?

Well, here’s what another one of our clients does…

So, here’s the deal with Femi.

When you shop at this boutique clothing store and spend less than $200, your items are put into the white bag.

However, when you spend over $200, you’re UPGRADED to the higher-status black bag. So, when you’re checking out and then walking around with your dapper black bag, other people now know that you’re a “baller.”

Status achieved.

So, those are three super cool ideas I’ve seen recently how our clients are leveraging their custom packaging to do more.

Custom takeout containers and food storage containers may be convenient for both employees and customers, but have you ever thought about how they can help you advertise and build your brand? When customers take their to-go containers home or see your food storage containers, they will think of your brand and be more likely to revisit your restaurant. Their coworkers, friends and family members may also see these containers and become interested in visiting your restaurant. With so much marketing potential, you can’t afford for your to-go containers to be boring and plain. You need to liven them up in a way that will make your food service more attractive and appealing.

Colors

What catches your eye first, a plain white or clear container or one that is bright and colorful? Are you more likely to remember the name of the one restaurant that gave out the colorful containers, or one of the many restaurants that gave out the same boring white one? Color can make a big difference in how your food service packaging gets noticed, and if you can find a way to add color to your to-go containers, you may just get the attention of more customers.

Logo

The best way to advertise your restaurant or food service company is with your logo. You can add your logo to a variety of merchandise, so why not add it to your food storage containers as well? People who notice someone eating food from a carryout container may be hesitant to ask where the food is from, but if you logo is already on the container, they will instantly know where to go to try the food they want to taste.

Stickers

When you were a kid, you used stickers to liven up your papers, folders and walls. Why not use them to make your food containers more attractive? You can create custom stickers with the name of your company or a logo, or you can just use any random sticker to make the packaging more fun and memorable. This is a particularly good idea if your food service business has a lot of young customers or parents who want to get their children excited about trying different foods.

Notes and Messages

Nothing makes a customer remember a place more than being treated well and appreciated. Making your customers feel special or significant is a great way to earn repeat visitors. When you pack up your customers’ food, consider writing a nice or funny message on the to-go container. Not only will it make it a  more memorable experience for the customer, but it will make them more likely to talk about your restaurant with friends and family members too.

By making some simple changes to your custom food packaging and to-go containers, you can make your food service company or restaurant much more memorable for customers. When customers remember your brand or think of your company, they are likely to talk about it and give you free advertisement. Why settle for dull, boring food storage when you can liven it up with just a little effort?

Marketing a restaurant or some other kind of small food service business can be challenging. If you’re just starting out, you have to convince people somehow to go with your services instead of more established businesses. Of course, there are plenty of great ideas for attracting business to a new restaurant. You can market your services on social media, air television and radio spots or circulate flyers. All of these are great ideas and have been very successful in the past, but one idea that you should never overlook is to use custom food packaging and takeout containers to advertise your business.

Take out food containers and other kinds of food packaging can be pretty simple; all they really have to do is keep a customer’s food fresh until they can get it home. However, they also provide some great opportunities for you to market your restaurant to others. Here are just a few ways that disposable food containers can be a great opportunity to advertise your business.

Showcasing a Unique Logo

The most obvious thing that you can do for your takeout food containers is to showcase your business’s logo. Creating a great logo is an art in itself, but once you have a logo for your restaurant you should display it as often as you can, including on your custom food packaging. It should also have a consistent appearance and color scheme since the idea is to create brand recognition across all advertising platforms.

Including a Menu

Depending on what kind of takeout food containers you have, this may not be an option. It obviously takes a lot of space to include a menu on a to-go box, but if you have that space you should by all means take advantage of it. Not only is it convenient for your customers who will want to order food in the future, it may also attract new customers and let them know what your restaurant has to offer.

Being Convenient and Functional

As important as it may be for your packaging to have a unique logo and a menu, the most important aspect is that it is functional. Takeout containers need to be able to hold a customer’s food, after all. When you’re designing your custom food packaging, don’t get so caught up with being aesthetically pleasing and unique that you end up making your containers impractical. Customers will remember a useful container much more than they will a pretty and unique one.

With over 50,000 satisfied customers and counting, you cannot go wrong by taking your food service packing needs to the to-go container experts at MrTakeOutBags.com. From customized to go containers and bags to baked goods packaging and cupcake boxes, MrTakeOutBags.com is your one-stop-shop for all your food packaging needs. Our expansive selection of containers and to go bags is sure to meet any of your packaging needs, and all of our products are available at some of the lowest prices around with same day shipping guaranteed! Make the most out of your company’s food packaging this year, shop at MrTakeOutBags.com today!

Custom labels are an excellent way to brand your business. Even if you do not sell a product, you can add your custom label to marketing materials or branded items that you give away as freebies. There are many factors to take into consideration when creating a custom label, such as the ones detailed below.

Includes Your Logo

Ensuring that your custom label includes your logo is a must, but you must also consider a few other factors above and beyond your standard logo. For example, your logo may not look as good when shrunk down to the smaller size required for your logo. Even if it looks good, the writing or graphics may be too small to be effective. This means you may opt to have a slightly different logo on your custom labels, or that you only utilize a few of your logos main elements—such as writing your business name in the same font, or designing the label in the same colors.

Contact Information

Aside from adding your logo to your custom label, also consider the type of contact information that is the most essential. In many cases, your website address or phone number will do, but depending on your needs, you may prefer a sales representative’s direct information. Depending on the size and layout of your label, you may also choose to have social media information or QR codes for labels linked to promotional products.

Size And Scale

Another thing you must consider is that your labels may not be a one-size-fits-all solution. You may need a variety of sizes to ensure appropriate scale for your individual products or marketing materials the label is being added to. Depending on how varied your label sizes are, you may also need to tweak the layout and graphics of the label. For example, your full logo may fit nicely on your larger labels, but not on your smaller labels.

Ability To Personalize

If you will be using your labels on products that will potentially be given as gifts, are placed on special orders, or will be sent out for delivery—you may want to consider leaving enough room for your clients to personalize their label. This could be something as simple as creating a gift tag layout that allows for a simple “To” and “From.” Also consider offering your labels in different colors, or with different borders and graphics to celebrate everything from birthdays to holidays. Keep in mind that you can have a standard label that you use for most of your products, and personalized labels available upon request.

Stand Out

Another factor you must consider, is if your label will stand out or pop on your packaging. If you are going to take the time to invest in custom labels, then they must not blend in so well that they go unnoticed. For this reason, you may print your labels in a variety of colors, so that you can also have an adequate level of contrast.

Along with all of the factors above, you want to ensure that your custom label accurately represents the look, feel, and message you want your brand to deliver. Whether you’re looking for your labels to be functional, fashionable, or even a little bit of both, look no further than the custom label design services from MrTakeOutBags.com. Contact us today to have a custom packaging consultant get in touch with you and get started creating your brand’s own custom packaging solution!

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!

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.

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!