QSR's Packaging Awards Call Out Excellent Packaging Design by KFC, McDonald's and More

In an industry that is consistently gravitating toward flashy tech innovations, QSR Magazine and the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) highlighted one of the restaurant industry’s oft-overlooked branding opportunities—great packaging design. QSR points out that packaging innovations are more relevant than ever due to a booming demand for delivery.

“Consumers ultimately want their hot food hot and their cold food cold,” said Natha Dempsey, President of the FPI, to QSR. “[But] it’s becoming more challenging to do that in a complex restaurant world.”

Dempsey pinpointed that all of the best-in-class packaging shares the following characteristics: good performance, eco-friendly construction or disposability, and is affordable for operators to manufacture.

The judges ranked KFC’s Cinnabon Dessert Biscuits as the best overall package of the year for functionality, convenience and manufacturing, which includes an audible “click” upon closure of the box—definitely necessary with a sweet treat that could easily turn into a sugary mess all over your car. The paper carton looks deceptively simple, but when opened up reveals curved sides that snugly secure the biscuits.

McDonald’s Cheesy Bacon Fries, another potentially messy snack, also earned praise from the judges. The paperboard-based package has all of the qualities of a leak-proof and secure plastic package—but with none of the plastic. Bravo.