A rotating weekly menu is great for your customers… but it can quickly become a headache for your packaging process.
Picture this: you’re a passionate caterer, always experimenting to surprise your clients. You create fresh recipes, bring old classics back with a twist… your clients love it! But behind the scenes, things can get chaotic.
Rotating menus bring variety and freshness to your offering, but they can also make packaging logistics tricky. When each meal calls for a different tray format, managing production gets heavier, and the chances of mistakes and delays go up.
Luckily, there’s a simple fix: smartly standardize your tray formats.
The tray puzzle: more choice, more confusion
Having multiple tray formats might seem like a good idea at first, but in practice, it can slow you down. From using the wrong size by mistake to misadjusted sealing machines, small errors can add up and affect your entire operation.
Each mistake has a cost: lost time, more waste, quality issues, and delivery hiccups. And over time, that can impact your brand’s reputation too.
On top of that, managing several suppliers to keep up with all these format needs only adds to the stress. Partnering with a supplier who can handle all your packaging needs gives you more peace of mind and room to grow.
The solution: simplify, without limiting your creativity
The key? Build your foundation on a few well-chosen tray formats. By selecting recurring formats for main dishes, sides, and daily specials, you simplify logistics without holding back your culinary creativity. You keep surprising your customers… but with a clear, efficient packaging system that keeps up with your pace.
So, how do you actually make it happen?
It all starts by creating a simple tray format system that covers your daily needs.
- A single-compartment tray for main dishes
- A two-compartment tray for meals with sides
- A three-compartment tray for composed meals or daily features
With this approach, you keep the richness of your menu while making things easier for your kitchen and delivery teams.
The real benefits of a standardized approach
Adopting smart tray standardization can transform your daily operations in the kitchen, and more. By simplifying your logistics, you gain several tangible benefits:
- Fewer human errors: With clear, limited options, your team knows what to use and when, reducing mistakes.
- Faster assembly: Less hesitation means smoother workflows and faster turnaround.
- Fewer stockouts: Managing fewer SKUs helps optimize inventory and avoid supply surprises.
- Better kitchen communication: Simple, standard instructions boost clarity between preparation, packing, and delivery teams.
- A consistent, professional look: Each meal you send reflects the quality and reliability of your brand.
How to build your custom “packaging system”
Standardizing takes a little planning, but the results are worth it. Here’s how to get started:
- Analyze your recurring dishes: Track your production over 3–4 weeks to see which tray sizes you use most.
- Pick the winning formats: Choose the ones that best fit your menu variety and operations.
- Test combinations: Try them in real prep and delivery conditions to confirm what works.
Train your team: Post clear guides in the kitchen to support your staff during the transition. - Review regularly: Each season or menu update is a chance to fine-tune your system.
Solpak can help you build your winning model
With the right packaging system in place, your operations become simpler, more resilient — and ready to grow with your success. And to make the transition even smoother, you can count on Solpak.
For nearly 20 years, we’ve helped organizations like yours build sustainable, efficient, and practical packaging systems that match their reality.
Our team is here to help you:
- Identify the right solution for your unique needs
- Choose the best formats with samples sent straight to you
- Enjoy fast and reliable delivery — even as you scale
Want to simplify your rotating menu without overcomplicating your packaging?
Contact us, our team can help you find the tray formats that best fit your needs.
