As takeaway and delivery services continue to expand, restaurant brands are paying closer attention to packaging performance. Packaging is no longer only used to hold food. It also plays an important role in maintaining food quality, supporting brand presentation, and meeting changing environmental requirements.

A well-established restaurant chain specializing in fried chicken, fries, burgers, and baked products recently completed a packaging upgrade project across its operations in the Asia-Pacific region.

With more than 200 locations and takeaway orders accounting for approximately 70% of its business, the brand needed a packaging solution that could improve oil resistance, maintain food texture, support customized branding, and comply with PFAS-free requirements.

Solving Common Challenges in Takeaway Food Packaging

The restaurant brand’s previous packaging solution worked for basic takeaway needs but became less suitable as order volumes increased.

One major challenge was oil leakage.

Freshly prepared fried foods, including chicken and fries, are usually served at temperatures between 160°C and 180°C. Under high heat conditions, traditional greaseproof paper bags could absorb excessive oil, creating visible grease stains and affecting the customer experience.

Moisture control was another challenge.

When hot fried food is placed inside a closed paper bag, steam naturally builds up. Without proper ventilation, fries could lose their crisp texture within a short delivery period, especially during longer takeaway journeys.

The brand also wanted more flexibility in packaging design. Its previous supplier mainly offered standard newspaper-style printing, which limited the ability to create packaging that reflected the restaurant’s unique identity.

At the same time, increasing attention toward food safety and environmental regulations created a need for packaging materials that were free from PFAS and suitable for future market requirements.

Creating a Customized Multi-Material Packaging Solution

To solve these challenges, the packaging development team created a customized system based on different food categories and performance requirements.

Instead of applying one packaging material to every product, the new solution introduced multiple paper options.

Natural kraft paper was selected for products such as burgers and fried chicken. The material provided a more natural appearance while supporting the brand’s environmental positioning.

High-whiteness greaseproof paper was developed for fries and baked products, allowing detailed multi-color printing while maintaining strong grease resistance.

For specialty bakery items, vegetable parchment-style materials provided additional oil protection and a suitable food presentation surface.

The packaging also adopted PFAS-free grease barrier technology. This allowed the paper bags to achieve strong oil resistance while avoiding fluorinated substances that are increasingly restricted in food-contact applications.

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https://www.mbpak.com/blog/top-8-eco-friendly-food-packaging-suppliers-compared-2026-edition

Improving Food Quality Through Structural Design

Material performance was only one part of the solution.

The restaurant brand also needed packaging that could protect food quality during delivery.

The upgraded paper bags incorporated a gusset and block-bottom structure to improve stability and increase loading capacity. The reinforced bottom design reduced the risk of oil or sauce leakage through weak areas.

For fried foods, moisture management became a key focus.

Micro-vent structures were added near the top of the bags to allow excess steam to escape while helping maintain the crisp texture of freshly cooked products.

This design helped address one of the most common challenges in takeaway food service: keeping food closer to its original kitchen quality after transportation.

Testing Before Large-Scale Implementation

Before the new packaging system was introduced across the restaurant network, multiple performance tests were conducted.

During high-temperature oil resistance testing, the paper bags were filled with freshly fried products at approximately 180°C and observed for 45 minutes. The packaging showed no visible oil leakage or external grease marks.

A crispness retention evaluation was also performed by measuring moisture changes after 20 minutes of storage. Compared with the previous packaging, the upgraded design reduced moisture content in fries by 35%, helping maintain a better texture.

The packaging materials were also tested for PFAS content according to food-contact safety requirements. No detectable fluorinated substances were found.

Additional printing durability tests confirmed that the customized graphics remained stable after exposure to heat and oil during normal food service conditions.

Results After the Packaging Upgrade

After implementing the customized packaging solution, the restaurant chain achieved measurable improvements.

Customer feedback on takeaway food quality improved significantly. Problems related to soft fries and reduced crispness were greatly reduced, contributing to a 22% increase in positive feedback for takeaway products.

The new customized printing options also improved brand recognition. Instead of relying on generic packaging designs, the restaurant could create different visual styles for different product categories while maintaining consistent brand identity.

From an environmental perspective, the transition to PFAS-free greaseproof paper packaging helped the company better align with evolving food-contact regulations and sustainability expectations.

Packaging as Part of the Customer Experience

For modern restaurant brands, packaging is becoming an important part of the overall food experience.

A successful takeaway package needs to do more than simply contain food. It needs to protect quality, support efficient operations, communicate brand values, and meet changing environmental standards.

This case demonstrates how customized paper packaging solutions can help restaurant businesses overcome practical challenges while creating a better experience for customers.

As the food industry continues to evolve, packaging development will remain closely connected with product quality, sustainability, and brand growth.