Packaging innovation is the secret ingredient for evolving foodservice trends

Picture shows an EPP kp Infinity HP3 food to go pack

Global street food is bringing new inspiration to takeaway menus. Culinary roots, street food couture, borderless fusion, individualisation, and different flavour profiles – all of these trends and more create opportunities for foodservice operators to bring adventurous flavours to familiar, convenient formats.

And while consumers are hungry for bold new flavours, every extra topping, generous portion, and drizzle of sauce asks more of the packaging. The tastes might be new, but the job of packaging is the same as ever – to ensure meals still reach the customer hot, protected, and ready to enjoy.

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An appetite for discovery

Younger diners are helping drive that appetite for adventure. According to Unilever Food Solutions’ Future Menus 2026 report, consumers are hungry for meals that authentically celebrate global cuisines and cultural heritage. Traditional dishes and cooking techniques are being reinterpreted for the high street, and consumers – particularly younger consumers – want meals that tell a story. Packaging and presentation are key elements of this story.

The same report also identifies ‘street food couture’, a trend bringing more refined ingredients and techniques to street food favourites. For takeaway operators, this presents an opportunity to freshen up the menu using something as straightforward as a new marinade, a different seasoning, or a fusion dip. That gives menus room to evolve without reinventing every dish. A familiar foundation can introduce customers to something new, while letting kitchen teams build on ingredients and processes they already know.

Coming up with exciting new menu ideas is only half the battle, however. Turning them into a dish that can survive the journey to a consumer’s home is the other. This is where packaging demonstrates its value.

Bigger flavours, bigger packaging

A loaded portion needs room for its toppings. Squeezing it into an undersized pack can leave food pressed against the lid and presentation compromised. The right dimensions help teams fill and close packs properly, even when service gets busy.

Hot oils, acidic dressings, and sauces require a pack that holds its shape and protects its contents. Heat retention matters too: customers choosing an exciting new meal expect to enjoy it at its best.

To achieve all of this, packaging needs to be part of menu development from the start. Testing the complete dish in the pack, including transport and reheating, helps operators understand how it will perform beyond the kitchen. At the same time, however, packaging must be developed with the demands of foodservice and takeaway applications in mind.

This is why our kp Infinity® range is designed around these practical demands. Made from extruded polypropylene (XPP), it combines a lightweight, durable structure with resistance to water, acids, and hot oils. And for especially generous servings, kp Infinity® HP3 is the largest and most robust format in our Hotpacs® range. Developed in response to the common challenges faced by our customers, it provides the capacity and strength for dishes such as loaded fish and chips, burgers and chips, and noodle-based meals.

The picture shows an EPP kp Infinity food to go pack

Keeping performance and recyclability together

kp Infinity® Hotpacs® keep food hotter for longer and are microwaveable, adding functionality by giving customers the option to reheat their meal conveniently. They’re also cooler to the touch than solutions made from alternative materials, making them comfortable to handle.

The picture shows a group of kp Infinity Hotpac food to go packs

Those benefits are complemented by a fully recyclable, monomaterial design. Packs carry clear ‘Recycle Me’ messaging, helping consumers identify what to do after eating. Consumers can empty and rinse the pack, then follow local polypropylene recycling guidance to help keep the packaging material in circulation.

For operators, the choice needs to work throughout the meal’s journey: protecting food during service and delivery, supporting convenient reheating, and enabling recycling where suitable collections are available. All three boxes must be ticked to ensure consumers have the quality experience they expect. Bold flavours give customers a reason to try something new, but the secret ingredient to a satisfying meal is the right packaging.

Explore our kp Infinity® range to find the right format for your next menu idea.