10 Types of Food Containers Every Takeout Restaurant Needs

Takeout and food delivery have become essential parts of the restaurant industry. From cafés and food trucks to cloud kitchens and catering businesses, restaurants need reliable packaging that protects food, supports easy transportation, and creates a positive customer experience.

Choosing the right food packaging materials can make a significant difference. The right container can help prevent leaks, maintain food quality, improve presentation, and make food easier for customers to carry and store.

If you are looking for dependable packaging in bulk, working with a wholesale food container supplier in Canada can also help your restaurant maintain consistent stock while managing packaging costs.

Here are 10 types of food containers every takeout restaurant should consider.

1. Kraft Food Containers

Kraft food containers are one of the most versatile options for modern takeout businesses. Their natural appearance provides a professional presentation while their practical design makes them suitable for many different meals.

Resto Supply Hub offers several kraft options, including 26oz, 46oz, 51oz, and 69oz Kraft Foldable Paper Boxes. These can be used for rice dishes, pasta, noodles, salads, sandwiches, and other takeaway meals.

They are particularly useful for restaurants looking for practical paper-based food packaging solutions.

2. Plastic Food Containers

Plastic containers remain popular because they are lightweight, durable, stackable, and available in different sizes.

Resto Supply Hub offers options such as the 12oz Plastic Container with Lid, 24oz White 7" Round PP Container with Lid, and 28oz Rectangle Plastic Container. These containers are suitable for prepared meals, sides, meal prep, and takeaway orders.

For busy restaurants, having multiple sizes allows staff to match packaging with different menu portions.

3. Deli Containers

Deli containers are ideal for smaller portions and food items such as sauces, dressings, desserts, fruit, dips, and side dishes.

The 8oz Deli Container with Lid available from Resto Supply Hub provides a compact packaging solution while allowing businesses to organize smaller portions efficiently.

For restaurants offering customizable meals or multiple sides, these containers can be a useful addition to their packaging inventory.

4. Aluminum Food Containers

Aluminum containers are commonly used for catering, prepared meals, baked dishes, roasting, and food delivery.

Resto Supply Hub carries several aluminum options, including Standard Aluminum Foil Containers, 2.25lb Standard Aluminum Foil Containers, and full- and half-size aluminum containers.

Their heat-resistant construction makes aluminum packaging especially useful for businesses handling hot meals and larger food portions.

5. Bagasse Food Containers

Restaurants looking for more sustainable food packaging materials can consider bagasse containers.

Bagasse is made from sugarcane fibre and is commonly used to manufacture takeaway containers, plates, bowls, and clamshell packaging. Resto Supply Hub offers 9" × 9", 9" × 6", and 6" × 6" bagasse containers in bulk packs.

These options can be particularly useful for restaurants serving burgers, rice meals, grilled food, and other takeaway dishes.

6. Hinged Food Containers

Hinged containers combine the container and lid into one convenient package. This makes them practical for fast-paced foodservice operations because employees can pack orders quickly without managing separate lids.

Resto Supply Hub offers 9" × 6" and 8" × 8" microwave-safe hinged containers, along with bagasse hinged options.

They are useful for restaurants, cafeterias, food trucks, and catering businesses that need efficient takeaway packaging.

7. Portion Containers

Portion containers are designed for smaller quantities of sauces, condiments, toppings, and dressings.

They can help restaurants standardize portions while keeping sauces separate from the main meal. This is particularly important for delivery orders where keeping different ingredients separated can improve presentation and food quality.

For businesses serving high volumes of takeaway meals, buying portion containers in bulk can also simplify inventory management.

8. Soup and Liquid Food Containers

Soups, curries, stews, noodles, and other liquid-based foods require packaging that can handle moisture and transportation.

Paper soup cups and suitable lidded containers are commonly used by restaurants and foodservice businesses for these applications. Selecting packaging designed for the food being served is important to reduce the risk of leakage and spills.

9. Rectangle Meal Containers

Rectangle containers are particularly useful for complete meals because their shape provides efficient space for proteins, vegetables, grains, and sides.

Resto Supply Hub's 28oz Rectangle Plastic Container is an example of a larger format suitable for prepared meals and takeaway orders.

Their stackable shape can also make storage and delivery preparation easier for busy commercial kitchens.

10. Large Catering and Steam Table Containers

Restaurants and catering companies often need larger food containers for family meals, bulk preparation, buffets, and events.

Resto Supply Hub offers full-size and half-size aluminum containers, including Full Size Deep, Full Size Medium, and Half Size Shallow Aluminum Containers.

These larger formats are useful when standard takeaway containers are not large enough for the order.

How to Choose the Right Food Container for Your Restaurant

Before purchasing bulk food containers, consider:

• Food type: Hot, cold, dry, greasy, or liquid foods may require different packaging.
• Portion size: Choose containers that match your menu portions.
• Leak resistance: Important for soups, sauces, curries, and delivery orders.
• Storage: Stackable containers can save valuable kitchen space.
• Customer experience: Secure lids and practical designs can make takeaway orders easier to transport.
• Sustainability: Consider kraft or bagasse options when they suit your menu and operational requirements.
• Volume: Buying packaging in bulk can help restaurants maintain inventory and streamline purchasing.

Why Buy From a Wholesale Food Container Supplier in Canada?

Working with a reliable wholesale food container supplier in Canada gives restaurants access to multiple packaging formats in bulk rather than purchasing individual products from different suppliers.

Resto Supply Hub provides food packaging products for restaurants, cafés, catering businesses, food trucks, and other foodservice operations, with products available in bulk case quantities and shipping across Canada.

From kraft takeaway boxes and plastic containers to aluminum and bagasse packaging, having different food packaging materials available from one supplier can make purchasing simpler and more efficient.

Final Thoughts

There is no single food container that works for every restaurant. The best packaging depends on your menu, portion sizes, food type, delivery requirements, storage capacity, and customer expectations.

By choosing the right combination of kraft food containers, plastic containers, aluminum containers, bagasse containers, deli containers, and hinged packaging, restaurants can build a practical packaging system that supports their daily operations.

If your restaurant is purchasing food containers in bulk, explore Resto Supply Hub's range of wholesale food packaging solutions designed for Canadian foodservice businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the most common types of food containers for takeout restaurants?

Common options include plastic food containers, kraft food boxes, aluminum containers, bagasse containers, deli containers, hinged containers, and portion cups. The right choice depends on the type of food, portion size, and delivery requirements.

2. What food packaging materials are best for restaurants?

The best food packaging materials depend on the menu. Plastic containers work well for many prepared meals, kraft containers are popular for takeaway foods, aluminum containers are useful for hot and baked dishes, and bagasse containers are an option for businesses looking for fibre-based packaging.

3. Why should restaurants buy food containers in bulk?

Buying bulk food containers helps restaurants maintain a consistent packaging supply and simplify inventory management. Wholesale purchasing can also be cost-effective for restaurants, cafés, food trucks, catering companies, and other foodservice businesses.

4. What type of container is best for hot food?

The best container depends on the food and the manufacturer's specifications. Aluminum containers are commonly used for hot meals and baked dishes, while certain plastic, kraft, and bagasse containers are designed for specific hot-food applications. Always check the product's recommended use before packaging hot food.

5. Where can I buy wholesale food containers in Canada?

Restaurants can purchase different types of food containers from a wholesale food container supplier in Canada, such as Resto Supply Hub. The website offers plastic, kraft, aluminum, and bagasse food packaging options for restaurants and other foodservice businesses.