Christmas Season Takeout Trends: What Restaurants Need to Know During the Holidays
The holiday season, especially Christmas, has become one of the most important revenue periods for restaurants. In recent years, consumer dining habits have shifted significantly, with takeout and delivery playing a larger role than ever before. As families gather at home and businesses host end-of-year events, restaurants are seeing a clear surge in large-format orders, catering trays, and pre-packaged holiday meals.
Holiday Takeout Is No Longer Just “Convenience”
During Christmas week, many customers order full family-style portions rather than individual meals. According to industry data, holiday takeout orders are typically 25–40% larger than average weekday orders. Popular items include combo meals, soup-based dishes, roasted proteins, and pre-prepared sides—foods that require packaging capable of retaining heat, preventing leaks, and maintaining presentation.This shift puts added pressure on restaurants to ensure that food arrives in excellent condition, even after extended delivery times or longer holding periods.
Packaging Becomes Part of the Brand Experience
During the holidays, customer expectations are higher. Orders are often placed for special occasions, office gatherings, or family dinners. Poor packaging—such as warped containers, leaking lids, or collapsed stacks—can quickly turn a positive experience into a negative one.
Restaurants increasingly favor durable polypropylene (PP) containers, tight-sealing lids, and stackable designs that allow safe transport of multiple items in one order. Clear lids and well-proportioned compartments also help preserve the visual appeal of dishes, which matters even more during festive occasions.
Speed, Stock, and Reliability Matter More Than Ever
Another key trend during the Christmas season is shorter ordering windows. Many customers place last-minute orders, which means restaurants need reliable access to packaging without delays. Local inventory, fast pickup options, and consistent quality become critical during high-volume weeks.
Distributors and suppliers who can provide ready-to-ship stock, flexible quantities, and dependable logistics play a vital role in supporting restaurant operations during the holidays.
Preparing for the Next Holiday Rush
As takeout sales keep increasing annually, holiday demand is now standard, not unusual. Restaurants that proactively choose suitable packaging, predict larger orders, and partner with reliable suppliers are better equipped to boost holiday revenue and safeguard their brand image.
In today’s food service landscape, smart packaging isn’t just a cost—it’s a competitive advantage.
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