Takeout Boxes: Types, Uses & Benefits for Food Delivery

Title: Takeout Boxes: Types, Uses & Benefits for Food Delivery

Mate: Discover takeout box types, from Chinese to kraft. Learn how they keep food fresh, reduce delivery costs, and support eco-friendly packaging.

Takeout boxes are containers for food. The right takeout box keeps food warm, fresh, and safe. From Chinese-style takeout boxes with folding lids to greaseproof kraft paper boxes, a combination of these can effectively solve this problem. Choosing the best takeout box can improve the customer experience, reduce delivery costs, and comply with environmental trends.

This article will answer your questions

• Why takeaway boxes are important to the catering business
• Takeaway box designs for different foods
• How takeout boxes keep food hot and tasty
• Which takeaway box materials are more environmentally friendly
• How restaurants choose the right takeout box size
• Can takeaway boxes be customized for brand promotion?
• The impact of takeout boxes on delivery costs
• Can takeout boxes be put into microwave ovens and ovens?

Why are takeaway boxes important to the restaurant business?

Takeout containers protect food from contamination, control portion size, and offer branding. They not only ensure food safety during delivery, but also allow for branding to be printed on the box. For example, a damp, leaking sushi box can ruin the customer experience.

Standardized sizes and a grease-resistant coating allow food service operators to confidently deliver a wide variety of food items. The strong, stackable boxes also prevent riders from crushing them during delivery.

The role of standardized takeout box sizes

Takeout boxes follow standard portion sizes. Common noodle boxes come in 16oz, 26oz, and 32oz capacities, while cake boxes are mostly 6-inch or 8-inch.

This standardized size can help restaurants reduce procurement costs and optimize the supply chain.

Food Types	Common Size	Design Feature	Meaning for You
Noddle/Rices	16–32oz	Folded flaps	Heat retention & easy eating
Pizza	10–16 inch	Steam vents	Prevents soggy crust
Sushi	500–1000ml	PET liner	Leak resistance
Burgers	Small kraft box	Grease-resistant coating	Keeps food crispy

• Fried food: Use paper boxes with PE or wax coating to prevent oil leakage
• Pizza: Box with ventilation holes to prevent moisture from returning
• Takeaway packaging: Corrugated boxes with high edge compression strength (ECT) for easy stacking

Case study: After a hamburger chain in China switched to grease-proof kraft paper boxes, customer complaints about damaged takeout food decreased by 30%.

Internal link suggestion: Learn more about the applications of kraft paper takeout boxes.

What foods are takeout boxes designed for?

Different foods require different packaging. Oily, juicy, or delicate dishes must be packaged with special coatings.

Sushi boxes are often lined with PET, while fried chicken boxes require wax or water-based coatings.

These small details can prevent the box from getting wet and your brand from being damaged.

How do takeout boxes keep food fresh and safe?

The takeaway box achieves this by balancing heat preservation, breathability and leak-proofness.

• Pizza box: Steam holes prevent the crust from getting soft
• Chinese takeout box: Folding lid keeps heat in and allows for a small amount of ventilation
• Sushi box: transparent PET window keeps ingredients fresh and visible

Which takeout box materials are the most environmentally friendly?

By 2025, many countries had banned styrofoam containers. Takeout containers made from paper and bagasse (sugarcane pulp) became a mainstream, environmentally friendly option. They offer a combination of strength, heat resistance, and biodegradability.

• Kraft paper: Recyclable, suitable for burgers or noodles
• Bagasse: compostable, heat-resistant, suitable for hot meals
• PLA coated paper: plant-based greaseproof coating, oil and water resistant

How do restaurants choose the right takeout box size?

When choosing a takeout box, you need to consider the size of the meal, the type of food, and the delivery method.

Boxes that are too big: waste space and increase shipping costs.

The box is too small: the food is squeezed, affecting the appearance and taste.

Recommendation: Use food service industry standards, such as 32oz noodle boxes or 6-inch cake boxes, to ensure consistent portion sizes.

Can takeaway boxes be customized for brand promotion?

Absolutely. Customized takeout boxes are like free “mobile advertising.”

With CMYK printing, restaurants can add their logo, brand colors, or environmental slogans to the boxes.

This increases exposure and makes your brand more memorable to customers.

Check out our guide to custom packaging boxes.

What impact do takeaway boxes have on delivery costs?

The size and weight of a takeout box determine delivery efficiency. Strong, stackable boxes allow riders to carry 10–20 meals at a time.

This reduces fuel and labor costs and increases restaurant profits.

Can takeout containers be put in the microwave and oven?

Not all takeout boxes are suitable.

• Microwave safe: Kraft paper boxes are fine (no metal or tin foil)
• Unsafe: wax coating or metal film material
• Oven safe: Only a few bagasse containers can be used

Restaurants should clearly mark them to avoid customers from misusing them.

Takeaway box trends in 2025

Environmental transformation: The ban on foam plastics promotes the popularity of pulp and kraft paper boxes.

Cross-border application: The cosmetics and gift industries use the “takeout box shape” to enhance freshness.

Smart packaging: Add a QR code to the takeaway box, linking to the menu, discounts or recycling instructions.

FAQs

Q1: Can Chinese takeout boxes be recycled?

Yes, but you will need to remove the plastic or wax coating first. Paper-only versions can be recycled directly.

Q2: What is the difference between Asian takeout boxes and regular paper boxes?

Asian takeout boxes are often made from a single sheet of paper folded over to make them more leak-proof and heat-retaining.

Q3: Can kraft paper takeout boxes be used to store liquids?

Yes, but it must be coated with PE or water-based film, otherwise it will easily penetrate.

Conclusion

Takeout containers are more than just packaging. They protect food quality, reduce delivery risks, enhance brand exposure, and support environmental goals.

Choosing the right takeout box can ensure fresh food, smooth delivery, and satisfied customers.

About XiangGe Package

We specialize in custom takeout containers for global restaurant brands. Our products are made from environmentally friendly kraft paper and bagasse, and feature an oil- and moisture-resistant coating. With over 10 years of export experience, we offer durable and customizable packaging solutions.

Next steps: Contact us to request a free sample or get custom design advice.