You know how some takeout orders just feel better than others? Like, same food, but one feels like a real experience and the other feels like someone tossed leftovers in a plastic bag?
Yeah, that second one? Not the vibe.
If you’re running a restaurant, cafe, food truck, or honestly anything that puts food in a box and hands it to a customer—you gotta get serious about branded to-go packaging. Not only does it look better, but it also helps you sell more food. For real.
Here’s how.
First Impressions Still Matter
When someone gets your food to go, the box, the cup, the bag—that’s the first thing they see. Before they taste a single bite.
So if it looks like every other plain brown box out there? You’re missing a chance to make an impression. And if it looks cheap? They might assume the food is too.
Custom-printed packaging shows you give a crap. It tells people: “We put care into this.”
That matters.
Branding = Free Marketing
This is obvious, but people still sleep on it.
Your packaging is going out into the world. Into cars, onto office desks, into people’s homes. It’s being seen by roommates, co-workers, friends.
If your name’s not on it, you’re throwing away that exposure. Like paying for a billboard and leaving it blank.
Branded packaging is mobile advertising.
And if it’s actually nice? People post it on Instagram. Even better.
Real stat: 52% of consumers say they are likely to make repeat purchases from a business that delivers orders in premium packaging.
It Helps You Look Legit
Even if you’re just getting started or still small, good packaging makes you look established.
Like you know what you’re doing.
Nobody wants to feel like they just bought food from someone winging it in their garage. (Even if you kinda are.)
Professional packaging tells a customer: “You’re safe here.”
It Can Boost Repeat Orders
People are busy. They forget where they ordered from. Especially if they order once, love it, then toss the plain box it came in.
But if your packaging has your logo, name, maybe your website or QR code? That’s a breadcrumb trail back to you.
No branding = they gotta check their bank statement to remember who you were.
Don’t make it that hard.
You Stand Out More (Because Most Don’t Bother)
You’d think this stuff is obvious, but most small food businesses don’t do it.
They’re too busy trying to keep the kitchen running.
So the bar is LOW. That means you get to stand out with very little effort.
Order branded stickers. Get custom printed boxes. Even just stamping your logo helps.
Small touches go a long way.
Real-Life Examples That Work
- Coffee Shops that print their name on cups and sleeves. Someone walks around with it for hours. Everyone sees it.
- Taco Stands that use colorful branded wrappers. Insta-worthy. Shareable.
- Meal Preppers who use clean, minimal containers with a slick label and QR code for easy reorders.
Not hard. Just smart.
What Should You Brand?
You don’t have to brand everything right away. Start small.
Here’s a list to think about:
- Bags (paper or plastic)
- Boxes (food containers, clamshells, etc.)
- Drink cups
- Napkins or stickers
- Tape or seals
- Labels with reheating instructions
Start with the stuff that leaves your store the most.
How to Keep Costs Down
One of the biggest excuses is cost.
“Custom printing is too expensive.”
It’s not.
It used to be. But now? You can order small batches. You can print stickers and slap ‘em on generic packaging. You can bulk-order bags with your logo for cheap.
You don’t need to break the bank.
Also, this stuff isn’t just “cost.” It’s a marketing expense. Because it’s doing the job of promoting your brand. While holding fries.
Want more ideas? Check out these quick fixes to upgrade your packaging.
Where to Order It
Obviously, you can get this from us at FMC Printing. We do all kinds of custom packaging stuff. (No pressure.)
But there are other places too if you’re just poking around:
- Sticker Mule for quick custom stickers
- Uline for bags and containers (not custom but good for bulk basics)
- Packlane for branded boxes in low quantities
We don’t compete with these sites, so it’s cool to check them out.
What Good Packaging Should Have
If you’re gonna do this, don’t just slap your name on it and call it a day.
Here’s what to include:
- Your logo (obviously)
- Your website or link to order again
- QR code (great for mobile reorders or review links)
- Short tagline or message (keep it simple)
- Social handles if they’re short and easy
Don’t clutter it. Just the essentials.
Bonus: include a printed card in the bag with a promo code or next-order discount. They might come back tomorrow.
It Also Helps with Delivery Apps
If you’re on DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc., you’re getting judged hard on the packaging.
The customer doesn’t see you. All they see is what shows up on their doorstep.
So if your stuff arrives looking sad? They blame you. Not the delivery driver.
You can’t control what happens on the road, but you can control how your brand shows up.
Make it look solid.
One More Thing: It Just Feels Better
You know that feeling when you open something and it just looks good? Clean packaging, nice design, no sauce leaking through the bottom.
It makes people trust your food more.
You don’t even need to say anything. They just know.
That trust builds loyalty. And loyalty = more orders.
Simple math.
TL;DR
If you’re selling food to-go and you’re not using branded packaging, you’re missing easy wins.
It helps you:
- Get more repeat customers
- Look more professional
- Get seen by more people
- Build brand loyalty
- Stand out from other spots
You don’t need to go all-in tomorrow. But doing something is better than doing nothing.
Start with a sticker. Or a printed bag. Then build from there.
If you want help with it, hit up FMC Printing. We can walk you through the whole thing.
And if you’re not ready? Cool. Just don’t sleep on it too long.
Your food deserves better than a blank box.
