Takeout Containers Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product Type (Bottles & Jars, Cans, Cups & Tubs, Boxes, Others), By Packaging Type (Rigid, Plates, Trays, Bowls, Others (Pouches & Sachets, Cutlery, etc.), By Material Type (Plastic, Glass, Metal, Others (Paper & Paperboard, Aluminum Foil, etc.)), By End Users (Restaurants & Cafes, Retail Food Chains, Hotels, Delivery Catering, Cinemas, Canteens, Others (Stalls & Kiosks, Malls, Institutional, etc.), By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 189.68 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.31%
Fastest Growing Segment	Bottles & Jars
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 258.73 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Takeout Containers Market will grow from USD 189.68 Billion in 2025 to USD 258.73 Billion by 2031 at a 5.31% CAGR. The Global Takeout Containers Market encompasses the production of protective packaging using materials like plastic, paperboard, and aluminum to transport prepared food from service establishments to consumers. A primary driver supporting this industry is the fundamental shift in consumer lifestyles toward convenience and the reliance on external food delivery platforms. This structural change has created sustained demand for durable packaging that ensures meal integrity during transit. According to the National Restaurant Association, in 2024, orders consumed away from the establishment represented 83 percent of all traffic at quick service restaurants which underscores the critical reliance on these products.

The market faces a significant challenge regarding stringent environmental regulations and the rising costs of sustainable compliance. Governments are implementing aggressive bans on disposable plastics and mandating biodegradable alternatives that often require complex raw material sourcing and higher manufacturing expenditures. This regulatory pressure threatens to compress profit margins and complicates supply chain logistics for players attempting to maintain competitive pricing while adhering to ecological standards.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid expansion of online food delivery platforms and aggregators has necessitated a structural shift in packaging requirements to accommodate longer transit times. As third-party logistics services proliferate, restaurants increasingly rely on durable containers to ensure meal integrity during transport. This volume is significant; according to DoorDash, May 2025, in the '2024 US Economic Impact Report', merchants generated over $40 billion in sales on the DoorDash Marketplace in the United States in 2024. This reliance on delivery correlates with broader consumer behavioral changes, as according to the National Restaurant Association, April 2025, in the 'Off-Premises Restaurant Trends 2025' report, 51 percent of Gen Z and millennial consumers identified takeout or drive-thru meals as essential to their lifestyles. Consequently, manufacturers are prioritizing specialized designs to support this sustained demand.

Simultaneously, the implementation of stringent regulations against single-use plastics is altering material sourcing strategies across the industry. Governments are aggressively enacting bans on non-recyclable polymers like expanded polystyrene, compelling a rapid transition toward biodegradable alternatives. For instance, according to Plastics Today, July 2025, Delaware implemented a prohibition on restaurants providing ready-to-eat food in polystyrene foam containers effective July 1, 2025. These legislative measures force vendors to adopt plant-based fibers to maintain compliance, thereby driving innovation in eco-friendly barrier coatings that meet functional performance needs while adhering to new ecological standards.

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Key Market Challenges

The enforcement of stringent environmental regulations and the rising costs of sustainable compliance present a formidable obstacle to the expansion of the Global Takeout Containers Market. As governments increasingly prohibit single-use plastics, manufacturers are compelled to transition toward biodegradable materials which often command higher raw material prices and require more intricate processing techniques. This regulatory shift significantly elevates production expenditures, forcing market players to either absorb these costs or pass them on to price-sensitive food service operators. Consequently, the financial burden of adhering to ecological standards creates a volatile environment where profit margins are consistently threatened, making it difficult for manufacturers to maintain competitive pricing or invest in capacity expansion.

This economic pressure significantly dampens market demand for premium compliant packaging at the end-user level. When food service businesses face eroding margins, their capacity to absorb the surcharge associated with sustainable containers diminishes, creating friction in sales volume. According to the National Restaurant Association, in 2024, only 27 percent of restaurant operators anticipated being more profitable than the previous year, a sentiment largely driven by soaring operational costs. This widespread financial strain among the primary consumer base limits the revenue potential of the takeout containers market, as the industry struggles to balance mandatory regulatory adherence with the economic constraints of its buyers.

Key Market Trends

The Implementation of Circular Reusable and Deposit-Return Container Systems is fundamentally reshaping supply chains by replacing single-use disposal models with closed-loop logistics. Major food delivery aggregators and packaging manufacturers are increasingly piloting digital deposit-return schemes that allow consumers to borrow durable containers and return them for sanitization and redistribution. This shift is driven by the need to decouple business growth from waste generation, utilizing reverse logistics to manage the collection of high-density polyethylene and glass vessels. According to DoorDash, April 2025, in the 'Maximizing Value for Dashers, Merchants, Consumers, and Our Planet' update, customers in over 10 countries and major US cities completed more than 50,000 orders in reusable containers, validating the operational viability of these circular networks in high-volume urban environments.

Advancements in Venting and Temperature-Retaining Structural Designs are simultaneously emerging to solve the technical challenges of preserving meal integrity during longer transit times. Manufacturers are engineering complex venting systems and multi-layered substrates that balance moisture release with heat retention, effectively preventing condensation from compromising texture while keeping food at safe temperatures. This innovation extends the viable delivery radius for moisture-sensitive items like fried foods, which were previously difficult to transport without degradation. The commercial impact of this technical evolution is significant; according to the National Restaurant Association, May 2025, in the '2025 Off-Premises Restaurant Trends' report, 90 percent of off-premises customers indicated they would order a wider variety of items if restaurants used upgraded packaging that maintained food temperature and quality comparable to the dine-in experience.

Segmental Insights

Based on authoritative market research, the Bottles & Jars segment is recognized as the fastest-growing category in the Global Takeout Containers Market. This rapid expansion is primarily driven by the surge in online delivery demand for beverages, such as fresh juices and smoothies, alongside liquid-based foods like soups and sauces. Foodservice operators increasingly prioritize these containers for their superior leak-proof capabilities and tamper-evident seals, which ensure product integrity during transit. Furthermore, compliance with rigorous hygiene standards set by regulatory bodies like the FDA supports the widespread adoption of these secure, resealable packaging solutions globally.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific leads the Global Takeout Containers Market due to rapid urbanization and an expanding foodservice sector in major economies like China and India. The widespread adoption of online food delivery platforms has created high demand for durable packaging solutions that support takeaway services. Rising disposable incomes and shifting consumer preferences toward ready-to-eat meals further fuel this expansion. Regional dominance is also reinforced by strong manufacturing capabilities that ensure cost-effective production. Furthermore, institutions such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India are enforcing stricter packaging regulations, driving a strategic shift toward safer and more sustainable container materials.

Recent Developments

• In September 2024, Notpla secured £20 million in Series A funding to accelerate the commercialization of its seaweed-based packaging solutions for the takeaway sector. This investment was intended to scale up the manufacturing of its proprietary coating technology, which serves as a plastic-free, grease-proof, and biodegradable alternative for cardboard takeout boxes. The company planned to use the capital to expand its operations into the North American market and increase the production volume of its home-compostable containers. This breakthrough research and expansion marked a significant step in replacing synthetic coatings in the food packaging industry with natural, regenerative materials derived from seaweed.
• In July 2024, Smurfit Kappa and WestRock Company completed their merger to form Smurfit Westrock, creating a global leader in sustainable packaging with a significant presence in the takeout container market. This strategic combination brought together two industry giants to enhance their capabilities in producing corrugated and consumer packaging solutions, including pizza boxes and food delivery containers. The newly formed entity debuted on the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, positioning itself to deliver a broader portfolio of renewable and biodegradable packaging innovations. The collaboration aimed to leverage combined resources to accelerate the development of paper-based alternatives to plastic for food service customers worldwide.
• In February 2024, Berry Global introduced a new Reusable Tableware Range specifically designed for the foodservice industry to address waste reduction goals and comply with reuse mandates. This product line was developed in response to legislative pressures, such as the anti-waste laws in France, and consumer demand for circular packaging solutions. The range includes bowls and lids made from high-quality, durable materials that can withstand repeated washing and sanitation cycles. The company focused on creating a stackable and lightweight design to optimize storage and transportation for restaurants and catering businesses, facilitating a seamless transition from single-use to reusable takeout and dine-in models.
• In January 2024, Sabert Corporation announced the launch of its new Pulp Hinged Containers and Pulp Portion Cups to meet the increasing demand for sustainable food packaging. These new products were engineered with a proprietary design that eliminates the need for intentionally added PFAS, ensuring compliance with evolving environmental regulations while maintaining high performance. The containers feature a durable construction suitable for hot and cold foods, making them ideal for the takeout and delivery segments. The launch highlighted the company's commitment to providing commercially compostable solutions that help foodservice operators reduce their environmental footprint without compromising on functionality or food quality.

Key Market Players

• Dart Container Corporation
• Genpak LLC
• Berry Global, Inc.
• Huhtamaki Oyj
• Bunzl plc
• Georgia-Pacific LLC
• Karat Packaging
• Pactiv Evergreen Inc.
• Plastipak Holdings, Inc.
• Novolex

By Product Type	By Packaging Type	By Material Type	By End Users	By Region
Bottles & Jars Cans Cups & Tubs Boxes Others	Rigid Plates Trays Bowls Others (Pouches & Sachets, Cutlery, etc.)	Plastic Glass Metal Others (Paper & Paperboard, Aluminum Foil, etc.)	Restaurants & Cafes Retail Food Chains Hotels Delivery Catering Cinemas Canteens Others (Stalls & Kiosks, Malls, Institutional, etc.)	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Takeout Containers Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Takeout Containers Market, By Product Type:

• Bottles & Jars
• Cans
• Cups & Tubs
• Boxes
• Others

• Takeout Containers Market, By Packaging Type:

• Rigid
• Plates
• Trays
• Bowls
• Others (Pouches & Sachets, Cutlery, etc.)

• Takeout Containers Market, By Material Type:

• Plastic
• Glass
• Metal
• Others (Paper & Paperboard, Aluminum Foil, etc.)

• Takeout Containers Market, By End Users:

• Restaurants & Cafes
• Retail Food Chains
• Hotels
• Delivery Catering
• Cinemas
• Canteens
• Others (Stalls & Kiosks, Malls, Institutional, etc.)

• Takeout Containers Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE