Why do restaurants have art and pleasing visual aesthetics? Why do different restaurant brands have particular styles of music playing? Why is it important to be particular about the precise details in a restaurant such as the types of napkins or portioning cups you use? Because we eat with all five of our senses. Generally, we start by eating with our eyes.

All restaurants also have to use disposable products. These products can help with the visual presentation for your customers, which will encourage them to come back again and again.

Here are five ways to improve your business’ visual presentation by making small alterations to the disposable products you purchase:

1. Be particular about your foam to-go containers

Be wary of going ultra-cheap with your foam to-go boxes. There are several ultra-cheap brands for foam boxes, but they oftentimes do not hold up well. They warp, bend, and break. It is more likely going to cost less, in the long run, to go with a sturdier name-brand foam to-go box, such as Ecopax, because you can count on them holding up better for to-go orders and takeout. The increased cost here is minimal and the gain of having a box your customers can count on is massively valuable.

2. Compare kraft vs bleached paper products

Depending on the aesthetic of your business unbleached brown paper products or white bleached paper products can provide a better aesthetic appeal for your business. The same goes for paper towels, napkins, food trays, and wax paper.

It’s worth testing different bleached and unbleached paper products to see which ones will work best with the aesthetic of your restaurant and function best for absorbing grease, while also comparing the economic costs of one versus the other.

3. Sturdy aluminum is key

Test and make sure the aluminum pans are capable of handling the heat and weight of your food products. While a reduced short-term cost may seem like a benefit to saving money on aluminum one malfunction with a pan and all those savings will go away and customers do not forget those types of accidents.

A sturdy clear plastic dome lid for aluminum pans can improve the aesthetic display for to-go products while also providing functionality as pans can then be stacked on top of each other more easily in to-go bags.  

4. Testing different disposable plates for in-house dining

If you use disposable plates and cutlery for in-house dining it’s important to test out different options to see which ones might work best with the types of items on your menu.

Foam plates might seem like the most economical option when comparing prices, but they could be costing you business if customers see grease absorbing into them. There are many different options for disposable plates so finding a solution that minimizes your immediate economic costs and the longer-term opportunity costs is easy with some testing and an understanding of the different options available.

Alternatives to foam plates include a variety of different coated and uncoated paper plates and microwavable plastic plates. Another option if you are using an unlaminated foam plate is to test out a laminated option which can also improve functionality.

5. Use an Upcycle Catering Rack for a better catering aesthetic

Wire racks for catering events tend to be bulky and a bit of a hindrance and provide only the essential functions of a catering rack. They are also not very aesthetically pleasing. This is where an upgrade to an Upcycle rack can help improve your catering setup.

They are heavy-duty plastic that can handle the heat, they are easy to set up and fold up easily to reduce storage space. They also have a sleek look so they can not only improve the functionality of your catering but should also provide a better aesthetic appeal for your customers.

Testing different products is key to working out which ones are best to suit your individual business needs. That is where a company like ours can help. Give us a call and let us know which disposable products you are having problems with and we will help you find your solution. We can bring samples, discuss alternatives, and most importantly help you solve your problems with disposable products so you can get back to focusing on the rest of your business.