Starting a Takeaway: Packaging Checklist
Opening a takeaway means buying a lot of small things at once, and it is easy to forget one until the first customer is waiting. This checklist walks through the packaging a new takeaway, cafe or food stall needs, in the order most owners think of it, with the sizes and case quantities from our product pages.
1. The main container for each dish
List your menu and decide on one container per dish, not per customer. Hot, hand-held food such as burgers and wraps suits kraft food boxes: the No5 small is 500ml, the No8 medium 1400ml and the No2 large 1500ml. Rice, curry and meals with sides suit the compartment bagasse boxes in 9x9 and 9x6 inch. Chips and fish go in fish and chips boxes (9, 10 and 12 inch, cases of 100). Pizza has its own pizza boxes. If you are unsure which material to use, read our guide to choosing takeaway food boxes.
2. Bags to carry the order
Most orders leave in a bag. Brown kraft paper carrier bags come in small, medium and large in cases of 250. Match the bag to your biggest regular order, not your smallest. The paper carrier bag guide lists the sizes.
3. Cutlery and serviettes
Wooden forks, spoons and knives come in cases of 1,000. For serviettes, the 1 ply 30 x 30 cm comes in a case of 5,000 and the 2 ply 40 x 40 cm in a case of 2,000. These are used in large numbers, so check the case size against your weekly orders.
4. Sauces and extras
Clear sauce pots let you give dips with the meal. The 1oz and 2oz hinged pots come in cases of 1,000 and the 4oz hinged pot in cases of 500; the hinged lid is attached, so there is no separate lid to match. See the takeaway extras guide for more.
5. Drinks
If you sell hot drinks, buy the cup and the lid together: see coffee cup sizes and lids. For orders of several drinks, 2-cup holders (case of 360) and 4-cup holders (case of 180) make them easy to carry. Cold drinks need clear cups: see the smoothie and iced coffee cup guide.
6. Kitchen and counter supplies
Do not forget the items that are not packaging: gloves, blue roll, till rolls, bin bags and foil. They are listed in our guides to everyday supplies and catering kitchen supplies.
How much to order first
You do not know your sales yet, so start with one case of each item and reorder what runs out. There is no minimum order. If you cannot decide between two boxes, order samples first. When your own branding is ready, see custom printing.
Ordering and delivery
Everything is sold by the case, with the price shown excluding VAT under each product. Free UK next-day delivery: orders placed by 4pm Monday to Friday leave the same day with Evri, fully tracked, next-day where Evri offers it to your address, otherwise standard, usually 2 to 5 days. See delivery information.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order?
There is no minimum order. Everything is sold by the case.
Can I try a box before buying a case?
Yes. You can order samples first; the samples page explains how it works.
Do I need a bag as well as a box?
If orders leave in more than one box, or with drinks and extras, a carrier bag keeps them together. A single boxed item can leave without one.
Can I add my logo later?
Yes. Start with plain stock and move to printed packaging when you are ready: see bespoke printing.
How quickly will my first order arrive?
Orders placed by 4pm Monday to Friday leave the same day with Evri. Delivery is next-day where Evri offers it to your address, otherwise usually 2 to 5 days.