As foodservice industry trends continue to evolve, quick-service restaurants (QSRs) are under growing pressure to deliver speed, consistency, and quality without adding complexity to operations. Trends in foodservice today demand smarter, more efficient solutions behind the counter, as operators navigate labor challenges and rising customer expectations.

In the fast-paced QSR world, food quality and speed must go hand in hand. Sonoco Industrial & Specialty Plastic supports these needs with custom smallwares, from holding trays to seasoning dispensers, that improve consistency, prevent sogginess, and extend hold times.

We spoke with Sonoco foodservice expert Scott Peterson about the latest QSR trends and solutions shaping the industry.

What are the biggest trends shaping foodservice today?

One of the biggest foodservice industry trends is the demand for speed and consistency. QSRs must deliver the same high-quality experience every time; repeatability is essential. Customers expect consistent quality with every visit, regardless of location or time of day.

Restaurants are also increasingly adopting technology and automation. From smart kitchen tools to custom trays and other QSR products, these innovations help reduce labor strain, improve efficiency, and meet rising customer expectations.

What are the most common pain points you hear from QSR brands?

Maintaining product integrity during hold times is a major challenge. Holding cabinets, though essential for throughput, can cause moisture buildup, uneven temperatures, and quality loss, especially during peak hours.

To address this, many QSRs are turning to heat-resistant trays that preserve texture and taste, along with high-heat seasoning dispensers that ensure consistent flavor. Custom compartmentalized trays allow operators to keep multiple SKUs fresh within a single footprint, supporting speed, flow, and food quality.

How do Sonoco’s high-heat plastic trays outperform traditional metal trays?

Traditional metal trays tend to heat unevenly, which can cause food to stick, overcook, or dry out. Sonoco’s high-heat plastic trays offer more consistent temperature control, helping preserve texture while reducing sticking and waste.

They’re also more durable, easier to clean, and safer for staff to handle. Designed for long-term performance, these trays are well suited for a wide range of QSR environments and operational demands.

How does Sonoco’s custom-engineered approach set you apart?

At Sonoco, we focus on solving real-world challenges—often before they become obvious pain points. Every QSR operation is different, so we design custom solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing workflows and support measurable operational improvements.

Our team moves quickly from concept to execution, combining agility and scale to help partners keep pace with evolving QSR trends. When the right solution doesn’t exist, we create it, working side by side with customers to turn ideas into practical, high-performing QSR products.

If you’re navigating evolving trends in foodservice and looking to optimize food preparation and holding processes, Sonoco Industrial & Specialty Plastics is here to help. Connect with our team to start the conversation.
 

About Scott Peterson
Scott has been on the supply side of the foodservice business for more than 30 years. Based in Chicago, he loves a tasty burger and perfectly salted fries. He’s a valued part of the quick-response team at Sonoco that goes from concept to prototype faster than your fryers drop the next batch of fries.

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AccuTaste™ Seasoning Dispenser: An intuitive mechanical dosage system removes the guesswork from flavor application.