With nearly 75% of restaurant orders now happening off-premises, per the National Restaurant Association, packaging has become your silent salesperson. And whether it’s curbside pickup, third-party delivery, or grab-and-go retail sales, one crucial component often overlooked is the size of the take out container.
Selecting the correct take out container size is about more than just fitting your food items into a box; it can directly impact food presentation, customer satisfaction, portion control, operational efficiency, and may even affect your bottom line.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll walk through the key factors to consider when choosing the right size take out containers for your foodservice business.
Let’s get started!
Why Container Size Matters in Commercial Foodservice
Choosing the right take out container size can have several practical and financial implications:
- Maintains food quality and appearance: A well-sized container helps keep food intact and visually appealing, preventing items from shifting, squishing, or spilling during transport.
- Controls portions and food costs: Using the appropriate container size can help standardize portions, which supports cost control and ensures customers consistently get what they expect.
- Reduces waste and improves sustainability: Right-sizing can reduce excess packaging and eliminate the need for double containers, helping your operation cut down on material use and waste.
- Improves stackability and storage: Containers that are properly sized and consistently shaped may make it easier to store and stack items efficiently, both in the kitchen and during delivery.
- Enhances the customer experience: When food arrives neatly packaged in a just-right container, customers are more likely to view the meal as fresh, generous, and professionally prepared.
Using containers that are too small can lead to squashed food and leakage. Containers that are too large may give the impression of skimpy portions and can increase packaging costs unnecessarily.
Now that we know why container size matters, let’s get into some common container sizes and their best uses.
Common Container Size Ranges and Best Uses
Here are some of the most common foodservice take out container sizes and what they are often used for:
| CONTAINER SIZE | COMMON USE CASE | IDEAL FOR |
| 4 oz – 8 oz | Sauces, dressings, small sides | Condiments, dips, desserts |
| 12 oz – 16 oz | Small entrees, soups, sides | Pasta, rice bowls, mac & cheese |
| 24 oz – 32 oz | Standard entree portions | Salads, grain bowls, poke, stir-fry |
| 40 oz – 48 oz | Large entrees or meals | Combos, family-style servings |
| 60 oz – 100 oz | Catering portions | Shareables, trays, pasta |
While these are typically the most common sizes you’ll come across in foodservice, there are many others in between to best serve a variety of needs.
Though size is a significant factor to consider when selecting a container, there are many others that can also make or break your decision.
You should also consider factors and ask questions like:
- Material: What is the container made of?
- Durability: Is the container strong enough to withstand handling and transport?
- Shape: Does the food look presentable in the container?
- Compartments: Does the container have enough compartments to keep foods separated?
- Temperature Control: Does the container keep hot food hot or cold food cold?
- Sustainability: What is the environmental impact of using certain containers?
- Design/Branding: Does the container’s design align with the establishment’s brand image and values?
Considering all of these factors can help you make the best and most educated take out container decision for your foodservice establishment.
How to Choose the Right Size Take Out Containers
To choose the right size take out container for your foodservice establishment, consider factors like the type and portion size of the food you are serving, delivery method and transportation, and storage and stacking efficiency.
Smaller containers will work well for desserts and sides, while larger sizes are ideal for entrees, combos, and larger meals.
Some of the factors below might not seem directly related to container size at first, but size can have a profound impact on all of them. Take food temperature, for example; you might focus on the container’s material first, but the right container size plays an equally important role in getting it right.
Let’s look at the most important factors to help you select the right size for each application:
- 1. Menu Items and Portion Size
- 2. Food Temperature and Type
- 3. Customer Experience
- 4. SIngle vs. Multi-Compartment Needs
- 5. Delivery Method and Transportation
- 6. Storage and Stacking Efficiency
- 7. Sustainability Goals
- 8. Branding and Presentation
- 9. Cost and Vendor Options
1. Menu Items and Portion Size
The first and most important consideration is the type of food your establishment serves and your portion size. Your menu selection should dictate container selection more than any other factor.
For Example: If you are portioning 12 oz of spaghetti, look for a leak-resistant 16 oz container to allow headspace and avoid spillage. For a large chopped salad with protein and toppings, a 32 oz bowl with a domed lid may be more appropriate and helps avoid squishing greens.
Key Considerations:
- Volume of food per serving: A pasta dish with sauce will need greater capacity than a grilled sandwich or sushi roll.
- Food shape and structure: Flat items (like quesadillas or pizza slices) may require shallow containers, while salads and layered items (like poke bowls or desserts) will likely need deeper container options.
- Sides vs. entrees: Sides and sauces often need smaller containers, such as 4 oz to 8 oz cups, while entrees typically need 24 oz to 48 oz containers.
- Portion consistency: Standardizing portion sizes helps you match food volume to container volume more precisely, reducing guesswork and potentially lowering costs.
2. Food Temperature and Type
Hot vs. cold food influences both the size and the material of the container, but temperature can also affect how much space you need.
Food temperature can influence the size of a takeout container because the temperature can cause the container material to expand or contract, potentially leading to changes in its shape or size. If the food is too hot or too cold, it can also put stress on the container, leading to deformation or even breakage.
For Example: Certain foods, like soups, curries, and rice bowls, benefit from insulated containers that maintain heat and resist deformation from high temps. Cold options, like sandwiches or wraps, do well in flatter, form-fitting containers. For fried foods like chicken tenders or egg rolls, choose containers with vented lids or crisp-saving inserts to reduce sogginess from steam.
Hot Food:
- Needs a ventilated container to avoid sogginess (especially for fried foods)
- May expand slightly with steam
- Containers may require extra depth for layered items or insulation
Cold Food:
- Often served in bowls or clamshells (e.g., salads, cold pasta)
- Space should allow for toppings, lids, and dressings on the side
3. Customer Experience
Another very important consideration is the customer’s experience. The right container size doesn’t just protect your food, it can also help shape how customers perceive your portions, quality, and brand. A poorly matched container may leave customers disappointed, while a well-fitted one can boost satisfaction and loyalty.
For Example: If you’re serving a classic burger and fries combo, packing it into a 32 oz multi-compartment container keeps the burger from steaming the fries and helps everything look full and appetizing. On the other hand, if you place the same meal into an oversized 64 oz container, it can look sparse, give the impression of a skimpy serving, and potentially hurt perceived value.
Key Considerations:
- Visual impact: A container that’s too large can make portions look small and underwhelming. For example, serving a modest pasta portion in a 48 oz bowl may make it seem sparse, while a 24 oz bowl presents it as hearty and satisfying.
- Easy eating: If food is crammed into a container that’s too small, like stuffing a large sandwich into a tight clamshell, customers might struggle to eat it neatly, leading to frustration (and messy laps).
- Unboxing experience: Right-sized containers that showcase the food, such as clear-topped bowls for vibrant salads or poke, create a sense of anticipation and quality when customers open them.
- Leak protection: Overfilled or underfilled containers can leak or shift during transport. For example, a saucy entrée in a too-small container may ooze out the sides, while too much empty space lets contents tumble around.
Pro Tip: Spend time understanding exactly what you’re packing and how your customers like to enjoy it. Run quick tests with different container sizes and get feedback from your staff and customers. Sometimes even small tweaks in packaging can make a big impact on satisfaction and repeat business.
4. Single vs. Multi-Compartment Needs
If you’re serving meals that include an entree and sides, you’ll need to determine whether to use one container with multiple compartments or several smaller single-compartment containers.
For Example: If you’re serving a meat-and-two combo (e.g., BBQ chicken with mac & cheese and slaw), use a 3-compartment clamshell to prevent mixing and keep temperatures separated. For single-portion dishes like spaghetti or burritos, a one-compartment 24 oz to 32 oz container keeps things simple and visually clean.
Single-Compartment Containers:
- Suitable for single items like burritos, pasta, or a stir-fry
- Typically range from 16 oz to 48 oz
Multi-Compartment Containers:
- Ideal for combo meals, meat-and-two plates, or separating hot and cold items
- Commonly offered in 24 oz to 40 oz capacities, and divided into 2-3 sections
Multi-compartment containers reduce the need for multiple packages and keep food separated during transport. They’re perfect for lunch specials, bento boxes, and meal prep services.
5. Delivery Method and Transportation
Because off-premise dining is more prevalent than it’s ever been, how the food gets to the customer can also play a significant role in determining the ideal container size.
For Example: For third-party delivery where orders may shift in transit, choose containers with extra headspace and secure snap-on lids, like a 24 oz rectangular bowl for stir-fry or a compartmented container for combo meals. If you’re doing retail grab-and-go, select clear 16 oz to 24 oz containers that stand upright and show off contents attractively.
Third-Party Delivery:
- Containers are often jostled in transit
- Larger containers with extra headspace prevent spillage
- Compact shapes that fit well in delivery bags or boxes are ideal
Curbside Pickup:
- Can accommodate more customized container sizes
- Lightweight, stackable containers help pack multiple orders efficiently
Retail Grab-and-Go:
- Must be visually appealing on shelves
- Standardized container sizes help with uniform presentation
- Sizes should be clearly labeled and space-efficient in temperature-appropriate cases
Pro Tip: Use container dimensions that maximize the use of space in your delivery bags or food warmers. A standardized footprint helps prevent tipping or squashing during transport.
6. Storage and Stacking Efficiency
Back-of-house and front-of-house storage space is often limited in foodservice settings, and packaging that takes up too much room can quickly become a logistical challenge.
For Example: Choose rectangular containers with consistent footprints (e.g., 6″x8″ or 7″x9″) so they nest easily and use the same lids. This is great for high-volume items like rice bowls or mac & cheese. Avoid specialty-shaped containers unless absolutely necessary; they can make back-of-house storage and packing a nightmare.
Consider:
- Stackability: Choose sizes that nest securely with lids on
- Footprint: Containers with a consistent base size and varying depths reduce storage SKUs
- Height restrictions: Make sure taller containers will fit in bags or holding equipment
If your kitchen handles high order volumes, using fewer container sizes and containers that can multitask is key to maintaining speed and organization.
7. Sustainability Goals
Eco-conscious customers are increasingly evaluating packaging choices, especially when it comes to consumable purchases like food.
For Example: Use compostable containers in common sizes like 16 oz and 32 oz bowls, and 12 oz and 16 oz biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) cups for drinks. This lets you standardize packaging without compromising on green goals.
Right-sizing your take out containers supports sustainability in multiple ways:
- Less material waste: Avoid overpackaging and use recyclable materials when possible
- Better fit means fewer leaks: Can reduce the need for additional wrapping or double containers
- Optimized weight and space: Can reduce fuel use in transport
Compostable or recyclable options come in a variety of sizes. Consider aligning your container sizes with your green initiatives by using renewable materials in standardized dimensions to limit waste.
To get a better idea of which food packaging items can be recycled, check out our guide on which common food packaging products are recyclable.
8. Branding and Presentation
Offering an optimally-sized container can enhance visual appeal and customer satisfaction. A poorly fit container can make generous portions look skimpy, or worse, cause spills and messes.
For Example: Use clear-topped 24 oz or 32 oz containers for visually appealing meals like poke bowls or layered salads, where color and texture are major selling points. For catering, brand your catering pans with labels or printed sleeves to elevate your image while staying practical.
For Catering:
- Trays and platters should match serving sizes (half-size vs. full-size pans)
- Use tight-fitting lids for transport
- Offer varying depths (shallow for finger foods, deep for pasta or salads)
For Restaurants:
- Use containers that highlight your food’s best qualities (clear tops for visual appeal)
- Consider branding opportunities (custom-printed lids or sleeves)
For Retail:
- Uniformity is crucial: different portion sizes should still look consistent in their packaging
- Right-sized packaging can help items stand upright or stack neatly on shelves
9. Cost and Vendor Options
Cost per unit typically increases as container size increases, and so does the potential for waste if food doesn’t fill the container properly.
Test samples with your most popular dishes before bulk ordering.
For example: Try your chicken Alfredo in both a 24 oz and 32 oz container to see which presents better and minimizes waste.
Cost Management Tips:
- Buy in bulk: Choose 2–4 standard sizes that can handle most menu items.
- Consolidate SKUs: Avoid having 10+ different container sizes unless your menu requires it.
- Test before committing: Sample or trial run new containers to see how they perform with actual menu items.
Some container lines come in multiple standardized sizes, small, medium, and large, all using the same lid. This can cut down on inventory and storage needs as well as help your bottom line.
Pro Tip: Stick to 2–4 standardized sizes—for example, 8 oz (sides), 16 oz (soups/small meals), and 32 oz (entrees)—that share the same lid across the line.
Real-World Example Scenarios:
Here are some real-world scenarios to help offer some guidance on what size take out containers you need:
| RESTAURANT | CATERING SERVICE | RETAIL |
| Burger and fries: 8″x8″ clamshell Rice bowl with protein: 24 oz round or rectangular bowl Side salad: 16 oz bowl with clear lid Sauce/dressing: 4 oz cup with lid | Half-tray pasta: 96 oz foil pan Boxed lunch: 3-compartment clamshell, 40 oz Fruit or dessert cups: 8 oz round cups with flat lid | Grab-and-go entrée: 16 oz to 24 oz rectangular container Family-size salad: 32 oz to 48 oz bowl Single-serve yogurt parfait: 8 oz clear cup |
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right size take out container is about balancing function, food quality, cost, and customer perception. Start by analyzing your menu, portion sizes, and delivery logistics. Then, standardize around a few container sizes that give you flexibility while keeping storage, presentation, and sustainability in check.
When in doubt, perform a “test pack” with your most popular items. Fill different size containers and see how they perform with real delivery conditions. You’ll quickly see which sizes enhance your operation and which ones you can leave behind.
With thoughtful planning and the right packaging strategy, your off-premise dining program will look more professional, run more smoothly, and keep your customers coming back.
Need help matching container sizes to your menu and business goals? Reach out to your local Imperial Dade location for a free consultation with one of our experts, who can help analyze your foodservice establishment’s needs and offer product samples and recommendations to help make your decision easier.
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