Paper lunch boxes are often associated with takeaway food, but they can also serve as a replacement for main tableware in some restaurants. In fact, many well-known brands, such as McDonald’s and The Fat Duck, rely solely on single-use packaging, and there are valid reasons behind this choice.

For food businesses, cost efficiency is always a priority. While reusable tableware has its place, paper lunch boxes can sometimes be the smarter, more cost-effective option. In this article, we’ll explore how switching to paper lunch boxes could help your restaurant save money while maintaining convenience and quality.

When you open a restaurant or café, you have to choose the type of tableware you will use. First of all, you have to choose the type of plates and cutlery for customers who dine in.

Commonly, restaurateurs use reusable tableware that they wash themselves. But is this really the most economical solution? We’ll look at this later. Others choose to use single-use packaging to make their work easier and avoid the added task of managing dishwashing.

If you decide to offer takeaway or delivery through a food delivery platform, you will also need to think about packaging. For economic reasons, this usually means focusing on single-use packaging. Then comes the choice of which type of packaging to use.

Depending on the type of dishes you choose, the way you manage them will be different.

For reusable dishes, you will need to plan how they will be washed. A professional dishwasher? Hand washing? Either way, you will need to provide the manpower to handle these tasks.

If you choose single-use dishes such as paper lunch boxes, you won’t have to manage any extra work. Once the packaging has been used, it simply goes in the trash. In addition, you won’t need to make a distinction between dine-in customers and takeaway customers.

Single-use packaging also requires minimal storage space. Opting for this solution can clearly simplify your life when opening a new business.

The different types of packaging also come with different costs.

A paper lunch box costs about RM0.26 to RM0.36 per piece, and that’s it. No extra costs, no maintenance, no management. You buy the lunch box once and use it.

Reusable dishes, on the other hand, require more investment. A simple reusable plastic plate costs at least RM1, and that’s before factoring in maintenance. With labour, water, and other related expenses, the cost of washing a reusable plate is about RM0.25 per piece.

Reusable tableware is also an investment in time and comes with risks. Plates can be lost, damaged, or broken, which means money spent with no return.

For new businesses, starting with paper lunch boxes is often more profitable in the short term, as they don’t require heavy upfront investment. Later, if you choose to switch to reusable tableware, you can always do so without having lost a large long-term investment.

When it comes to balancing cost, convenience, and practicality, paper lunch boxes stand out as a reliable solution for many food businesses. They reduce upfront investment, save on maintenance, and simplify operations, especially for new restaurants or cafés.

Foodabox is here to support you with high-quality, eco-friendly lunch boxes that fit your brand and your budget. Reach out to us and let’s create packaging that saves you money while leaving a positive impact on your customers.

Ready to elevate your food brand with packaging that makes an impact? Let’s build a solution that’s sustainable, smart, and tailored to your needs.

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