With the rise of food delivery apps and the increase in demand for take away, ensuring your dishes travel well has never been more critical. Delivery is here to stay, and the challenge for foodservice operators is to ensure the quality, freshness, and appeal of dishes when they reach customers' doorsteps. This means adapting your packaging and menu to maintain the high standards you pride yourself on, even from afar.
Here are some tips for how to make your food stand out even after it’s left the kitchen.
1. Choose the Right Bun for Burgers
If your delivery menu includes burgers (which it absolutely should), selecting the right bun can make all the difference. Some buns become soggy quickly, while others can withstand travel without compromising quality.
The Tip Top Brioche Style Bun is an excellent choice for delivery. These buns are sturdy enough to hold up against juicy fillings, while being indulgent, the robust profile lends itself to saucy builds and holds its integrity while still being fluffy and moist.
2. Opt for Delivery-Friendly Packaging
Packaging is key to a successful delivery operation. It’s not just about keeping the food warm; it’s about maintaining the texture, preventing spillage, and ensuring the presentation still shines when your customer opens the lid.
For crispy items like fries or crispy chicken, choose packaging with ventilation holes to avoid steam build-up. Consider using corrugated packaging that absorbs moisture and allows steam to escape. By allowing air to circulate, you can avoid the dreaded soggy texture and give your customers a better experience.
Where possible, package sauces and dressings separately so customers can add them right before eating. This is especially helpful for salads and sandwiches, as it keeps greens crisp and bread from becoming soggy.
3. Embrace Dishes That Travel Well by Design
Certain dishes are naturally more resilient for travel. Consider items that can handle a bit of sitting time, as well as those that don’t lose quality during transport.
Grain bowls, pasta dishes, and stews tend to hold up well in transit. Adding options like grain or protein bowls packed with roasted vegetables ensures the dish will stay delicious and visually appealing even after a 20-30 minute trip.
Pizza is also a delivery staple, but quality matters. With Tip Top Pizza Bases, you can offer pizzas that retain a crispy crust even after the journey.
4. Offer Sides That Travel Well
Some sides are versatile, satisfying, and travel particularly well, making them a great addition to delivery menus. Sides like garlic bread or breadsticks are easy to package and deliver.
Australian Garlic Bread Co products are favourites across the country as they are prepped for delivery in foil-lined packaging to keep them warm and soft. You can add a small container of dipping sauce on the side, such as marinara or herbed butter, for an elevated experience that adds value without extra prep.
5. Conduct Trial Runs and Gather Feedback
Before committing to a delivery item on your menu, test how well it travels. Prepare a few orders, pack them as you would for customers, and have someone test the dish after a typical delivery time. This helps identify which dishes maintain their quality and which need adjusting.
Ask staff or even trusted regular customers to give feedback on the taste, texture, and appearance of delivered food. Consider their insights to make tweaks that will improve the experience for all customers.
Pay attention to customer reviews and comments, especially those mentioning food quality or packaging. Adapt based on their feedback to improve your offerings.
Adapting to delivery trends may mean updating your menu to focus on dishes that work well in transit. Consider your delivery menu as a curated selection of items that represent your restaurant’s best, with a focus on travel-friendly options.
