Takeaway packaging becomes even more important during busy summer service, when cafés, coffee vans, food stalls and seasonal takeaway businesses suddenly face longer queues, more cold drinks and faster-moving food-to-go orders.
When the weather improves, places across Liverpool, the Wirral, Manchester and the North Wales coast quickly become busier with people heading outdoors. Areas such as Crosby beach, West Kirby, the Liverpool waterfront and popular walking routes can create huge demand for takeaway coffees, cold drinks, pastries and grab-and-go food throughout the summer months.
For many businesses, practical takeaway packaging is essential during these busy periods. Packaging needs to be quick to assemble, easy to store and comfortable for customers carrying food and drinks outdoors.
At Richmond Paper Supply, we work with cafés, coffee vans, takeaway businesses and food stalls across the North West, and the UK, to supply practical takeaway packaging that performs properly during fast-moving summer service. From smoothie cups with lids and paper straws to food wrap, deli boxes and takeaway bags, choosing the right packaging can help improve speed of service while creating a cleaner and more professional customer experience.
Packaging That Keeps Queues Moving
During busy summer service, speed matters. Many takeaway businesses operate from compact spaces with limited prep areas and storage, particularly mobile coffee vans, kiosks and smaller food stalls.
Packaging that stacks neatly, stores efficiently and works across multiple menu items can make a huge operational difference during peak trading periods.
Open kraft meal trays are a great example of this. They come ready assembled, are easy to stack, and work across a wide range of takeaway foods including loaded fries, tacos, hotdogs and street food. Their open-top design also makes food easier for customers to carry and eat while walking around outdoor spaces.
Cones and scoops are another increasingly popular option for summer takeaway service as they are easy to carry in one hand. Newsprint-style paper cones, or kraft paper scoops, or compostable bagasse cones all offer a more premium presentation for chips, calamari, and fried foods such as churros, while remaining lightweight and practical for grab-and-go eating. Each offer different eco-properties, with bagasse cane fibre being fully compostable but not recyclable, if it has food residue on it.
Smoothie Cups With Lids and Cold Drink Packaging
Cold drinks are one of the biggest drivers of summer takeaway sales, particularly for cafés, dessert businesses and roadside coffee vans.
Smoothie cups with lids remain one of the most practical packaging options for iced coffees, milkshakes, smoothies and soft drinks because they showcase the product clearly while still travelling well during takeaway service.
Many businesses now simplify stockholding by using one cup size with different lid options depending on the drink being served. Flat lids work well for iced coffees and soft drinks, while domed lids are ideal for whipped drinks, frappes and dessert-style beverages. Sip lids also provide a convenient option for customers drinking while walking or travelling.
Choosing takeaway cups and lids that stack neatly together can also help reduce clutter inside smaller service environments where storage space is often limited.
Summer trading is not only about cold drinks either. Many coffee vans and cafés continue serving large volumes of takeaway coffee during early mornings and weekend trade. Double-wall ripple cups remain popular because they hold heat well while staying comfortable to carry during busy service. Make your customers’ life easy by offering providing cup carriers (available in two or four cups versions) so they can safely carry a number of drinks at once, as well have have a spare hand for food, a takeaway bag, or a small child!
For businesses wanting to strengthen their branding during summer trading, custom printed cups can also help create a more recognisable and professional customer experience. This is also a great way to build your brand, or get a marketing message across, without the need for large signs or banners.
Food Wraps That Travel Well
Wrapped food performs especially well during summer because customers are often eating outdoors, travelling or walking between locations.
Foil-lined sheets and pre-cut foil sheets remain popular across cafés, takeaway counters and food stalls because they help retain heat while making products easier to carry and eat on the move. They are commonly used for burgers, breakfast baps, wraps, toasties and deli-style takeaway food where portability matters just as much as presentation.
Greaseproof paper sheets are another highly versatile takeaway packaging option. They can be used as burger wrap, pastry wrap, tray liners and basket liners while helping businesses create a cleaner and more professional presentation. Because greaseproof sheets are lightweight and compact to store, they work especially well for seasonal traders operating from smaller spaces.
Custom printed greaseproof paper is particularly effective for busy takeaway service because it offers a strong branding opportunity without taking up valuable storage space. Newsprint greaseproof and striped greaseproof designs remain popular for street food and takeaway businesses as this adds a professional, premium look without the need for investing in custom printed designs. We do however offer the option of custom printed greaseproof paper where you can add your own logo, or brand colours and promotional messaging – all of which helps you elevate your brand.
Kraft Deli Boxes and Versatile Takeaway Containers
One of the biggest challenges for seasonal takeaway businesses is managing varied menus without overcrowding prep and storage areas. Using versatile takeaway containers across multiple menu items can help simplify stock management while creating a more consistent presentation overall.
Kraft deli boxes with folding lids have become increasingly popular because they work across salads, pastries, desserts, loaded fries, pasta dishes and deli-style takeaway food while still stacking neatly behind the counter. We offer a range of sizes from an 800ml 1 / No1 Small Kraft Deli Box with Lid up to a 2000ml 3 / No3 Extra Large Kraft Deli Box.
Wide round kraft bowls are also widely used for salads, poke bowls, noodles and cold summer dishes because they combine clean presentation with practical takeaway performance. Often paired with clear plastic lids, your food creations are in full view, while also being safe and secure in transit. You can view our full range of plastic hinged salad bowls, as well as round and rectangular kraft bowls and lids online.
Bagasse food boxes provide another practical eco-friendly option. Made from natural cane fibre, the 9″ x 6″ Bagasse Domed Lid Food Box is a great all-round option, as is the 6″ x 6″ domed bagasse burger box, ideal for a wide range of grab-and-go foods from fish and chips, to meat with rice, burgers, or chicken with sides.
These boxes are ready moulded, and stackable, so there is no pre-assembly, saving you time and space, as well as saving the environment.
Paper Bags for Takeaway Food and Drinks
Paper carrier bags remain one of the most practical takeaway packaging products for busy summer service because they allow customers to comfortably carry drinks, takeaway food and bakery items around outdoor spaces and public areas.
Wide-gusset kraft carrier bags work particularly well for deli boxes, takeaway containers and meal deals, while smaller paper counter bags and tall grab bags are ideal for pastries, sandwiches and bakery items during fast-moving service.
Many takeaway businesses also use greaseproof liners or food wrap inside takeaway bags to help protect paper carriers from condensation and food residue during warmer weather.
Because paper bags store flat and work across multiple menu types, they remain especially useful for coffee vans, food stalls and smaller takeaway businesses operating from compact spaces. They are also a great eco-friendly option, as they are small and often compostable.
Branded Packaging for Busy Summer Trading
Summer can be one of the strongest seasons for branded takeaway packaging because food and drinks are more likely to be carried through public spaces and shared across social media.
Custom printed cups (like the one on the right from 92 degrees coffee), branded greaseproof paper and printed takeaway bags all help businesses create a more professional and consistent appearance while increasing visibility during busy seasonal trading.
For coffee vans, food stalls and independent takeaway businesses especially, branded packaging can help smaller businesses stand out without requiring expensive signage or larger setups. It can also be changed from season to season, as your products, range, or brand evolves.
At Richmond Paper Supply, we offer custom printed takeaway packaging across cups, bags, food wrap and food packaging, helping businesses create practical packaging that also strengthens their brand.
Practical Takeaway Packaging for Busy Service
The best takeaway packaging balances practicality, presentation and speed of service. Packaging needs to be easy to store, quick to use and versatile enough to work across changing menus and busy outdoor environments.
At Richmond Paper Supply, we work with cafés, coffee vans, takeaway businesses, food vans, and food stalls across Liverpool, Manchester, Chester, Warrington, Widnes, St Helens and the wider North West to supply practical takeaway packaging for fast-moving service.
From smoothie cups with lids and paper straws to deli boxes, wraps, chip cones and paper takeaway bags, we are always happy to help businesses choose packaging that suits their menu, service style and seasonal setup.
If you are preparing for busy summer trading, explore our wider range of takeaway packaging, catering disposables and food packaging supplies, or speak to our team for advice on the best options for your business. We are always happy to help!
