Starting a Burger Shop: The Packaging You Need Before Opening Day

Burgers are one of the most photographed foods there is, and your packaging is in almost every one of those photos. For a new burger shop, the box and the paper do a lot of work: they keep the burger intact on the way to the customer and they make your brand look established from day one.

Here's the packaging most burger shops need before opening, and how to get the choices right.

Burger boxes

Your burger box is the most important piece of packaging you'll buy. Three things decide the right one.

Style

Hinged boxes suit most burger shops and travel well on delivery.
Pre-glued boxes pop into shape in a second, which helps in a busy kitchen.
Boxes with a lid give tall, stacked burgers more room.
Flower boxes open out like petals for a memorable reveal.
Open trays suit eating in and street food.

Size

Measure your bun width and the height of your tallest burger with toppings. As a guide, a regular box (around 11 x 11 x 6 cm) suits most single patty and smash burgers, and a large box (around 13 x 13 x 7 cm) suits double stacks and loaded burgers. Signature or oversized burgers are best in a custom size.

Strength

A single smash burger eaten on site needs much less than a saucy double stack on a 20-minute delivery. Choose the strength for your heaviest burger and test the sample on a real delivery run.

Greaseproof paper

Printed greaseproof paper wraps your burgers, lines your boxes and trays and keeps hands clean. A repeating logo pattern stays visible however the sheet is folded. Choose a heavier sheet for juicy burgers and a lighter one for lining.

Fries and sides

Use fries boxes in two or three sizes so every portion looks right, and loaded fries bowls for anything with sauce or cheese on top. If you sell combos, a meal deal box keeps the burger and fries together and apart.

Bags for collection and delivery

Delivery orders are heavier than they look once drinks go in. A stronger delivery bag with twisted handles, sealed with a printed sticker, is the safest choice for burger shops with a delivery trade.

Cups and napkins

If you serve soft drinks or shakes, add cold cups with lids and straws. Napkins are an easy place to add your logo.

Start with the box and the paper. They make the biggest difference to how your burgers look, in person and in photos.

Your burger shop packaging checklist

Burger boxes in the style and size that fit your burgers
Printed greaseproof paper
Fries boxes in two or three sizes
Loaded fries bowls, if you sell them
Meal deal boxes, if you sell combos
Takeaway and delivery bags
Seal stickers for delivery orders
Cold cups, lids and straws
Napkins

Minimums, timing and storage

Custom printed burger boxes start at 10,000 units. That can sound like a lot for a new shop, but you don't need to store them all yourself: we can keep your stock in UK storage and you take what you need. Production and delivery typically take 30 to 35 days after you approve your sample and artwork, so start around eight weeks before opening.

Summary

Get your burger box right first: style, size and strength, tested with your heaviest burger. Add printed greaseproof, the right fries packaging and strong bags for delivery, and brand the items your customers see most.

See the full burger shop checklist, or tell us about your burger shop and we'll build your packaging list with you.