A takeaway container has a hard job: it must survive a ride on a scooter, hold steam without going soggy and still look good when the customer opens it. South African takeaways, dark kitchens and food trucks buy burger boxes, pizza boxes, foil trays and sauce pots by the hundreds, and prices vary a lot with material. Tell us what you serve and how far it travels, and suppliers near you quote directly. It is free and you can compare before buying anything.
Container types and what suits each meal
Pick the container by the meal, not the other way round:
- Kraft burger boxes and clamshells hold a burger and chips and let steam out. A vented lid stops buns going wet.
- Corrugated pizza boxes are made from fine E flute board that absorbs grease and stays rigid. Common sizes are 7, 9, 12 and 14 inch.
- Foil containers with board or domed lids handle curries, roasts and bakes, and can go straight into an oven.
- Plastic containers in PP suit saucy meals; see plastic containers for the differences between plastics.
- Sauce pots from 30 to 100 ml with matching lids keep dressings from leaking in the bag.
Popcorn boxes, wrap-and-roll sleeves and chip cones are also sold by the same suppliers, so add them to one request and compare a single delivered total.
Polystyrene and what replaces it
Expanded polystyrene (the white foam clamshell) is cheap and insulates well, but it is being phased out by many municipalities, landlords and food brands, and it does not suit microwaves. Common replacements are kraft board with a thin plastic or water-based lining, bagasse fibre and PP. Bagasse takes heat and oil well but costs more, often R2 to R4.50 against under R1 for foam. Ask for a price on both so you can see the real difference over a month.
Delivery app packaging
If you sell through delivery apps, your packaging is the only part of the meal the customer judges. Choose lids that lock, so a tilted bag does not tip curry over the chips, and keep hot and cold items in separate containers. A tamper-evident sticker across the lid is a cheap way to show nobody opened it. Check the size of your bag too: a paper bag with handles holds up better than a thin plastic one and carries two or three containers at once.
Working out your monthly usage
Count the containers you use on a normal Friday and multiply by about 26 trading days. Add 10% for waste and spills, then ask for prices at that volume and at double it. Moving from 500 to 5,000 pieces can cut the price by a quarter. Plain stock containers are cheapest. Printed boxes with your artwork need a bigger run, often 5,000 or more, and a few weeks to produce. See our general pages on food packaging for rules on food contact.
What to include in your request
- What food goes in and portion size
- Container type and size in ml or mm
- Hot, cold or both
- Quantity per week or month
- Delivery address and the date needed
Takeaway Containers for different businesses
- Online shops and ecommerce: leakproof tubs and boxes with sealed lids for meal prep and home delivery orders
- Restaurants, takeaways and food producers: burger boxes, pizza boxes, foil trays and sauce pots for daily takeaway service
- Shops and retail stores: grab-and-go clamshells and sandwich boxes for in-store deli and bakery counters
- Factories and manufacturers: lidded trays filled and sealed on a line for canteens and ready meals
- Warehouses, distributors and exporters: stackable containers and cartons for catering orders moved by bakkie or van
- Households and offices moving: disposable containers for packing lunches and fridge leftovers on moving day
- Farms, packhouses and nurseries: farm stall boxes and tubs for prepared food, jams and take-home snacks
- Cosmetics, candles and health products: small lidded pots for samples, balms and refill packs
Frequently asked questions
Are polystyrene takeaway containers banned?
What size burger box do I need?
Can I get takeaway containers printed with my logo?
Will containers stay leakproof for delivery?
Takeaway Containers by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg