Every two years, QSR Magazine and the Food Packaging Institute team up for the Foodservice Packaging Awards to honor restaurant operators, packaging designers and engineers and manufacturers who recognize the importance of packaging.
This year, Huhtamaki North America, put its best foot forward and brought home three awards including first place finishes in Excellence in Brand Delivery and Excellence in New Menu Launch. This goes with a Runner-up finish in Brand Delivery.
First Place Excellence in Brand Delivery – Popeye’s Next Generation Packaging
Congratulations to Jason Hofmeyer, Senior Product Manager; George Zeiler, Packaging Engineer; Carlos Londono, Popeye’s Packaging Manager and Ops Transformation
Recently, Popeye’s announced a campaign for franchisees called Easy to Love, Easy to Use. The goal of the campaign is to simplify restaurant operations for franchisees and employees, ultimately leading to guest satisfaction.
Huhtamaki plays a critical role in this plan by making packaging that is easier for employees to use and speeding up the assembly of orders.
Our design team delivered:
- Flavor tabs to help identify product going into the box
- A box where the sides stay upright when filling with product
- An easier-to-close box
- An easier and better locking mechanism
- All while keeping the cost neutral
First Place Excellence in New Menu Launch – Jack in the Box Super Snacking Box
Congratulations to Jason Hofmeyer, Senior Product Manager; George Zeiler, Packaging Engineer and Jadey Gonzalez - Product Technical Services Manager II & Jack in the Box Marketing Department
Jack in the Box and Huhtamaki set out to create a package capable of serving shareable group meal. Jack in Box Product Technical Services and Huhtamaki T&D worked through five prototypes to get to the final product, which is unique in both size and performance offering a larger and more rigid product than others in the industry.
It was a collaboration successful enough to bring in the top prize in the New Menu Launch category.
Runner Up Excellence in Brand Delivery – Sporting Kansas City
Congratulations Jason Hofmeyer, Senior Product Manager; Chris Robertson-Senior Product Manager; George Zeiler, Packaging Engineer and Nate Saathoff, Senior Creative, Design and Chad Reynolds Senior Director, Brand
Huhtamaki worked with Sporting Kansas City to deliver recyclable and compostable packaging in concessions and premium spaces in their stadium. Sporting is focused on becoming a zero-waste facility by 2027 and sustainability was embedded into each package made to support their goal.
Each package includes a "Compost Me" message to assist fans in the disposal of waste into the correct waste stream after consumption, as well as a dynamic QR code to educate users.
"Huhtamaki has helped bring innovative, distinctive and sustainable food and beverage packaging to Sporting Kansas City,” said Marc Mulherin, Vice President, Hospitality, for the packaging awards. ”Through Sporting Kansas City and Huhtamaki's collaboration, we have created personalized packaging with a sleek design and overall eye appealing element for all guests. This ongoing partnership will continually allow us to grow and find ways to be forward-thinking in our packaging design and layout.