Fast Food Baskets

Plastic Food Baskets: What You Need to Know

Use plastic serving baskets at your quick-service or fast-casual restaurant, cafeteria, or outdoor eatery. Whether you're using a classic red basket for food such as a burger and fries or serving pre-dinner breadsticks in a solid black basket, your guests will appreciate the convenience of these reusable dishes. Your operation will also save money on disposable bags and containers you might otherwise use.

Choose from baskets with gridded holes on the sides or solid baskets with slots in the base that drain moisture. All these fast food baskets are wider at the top than the base, making them stackable for efficient storage. They are safe for use in dishwashers.

Common Questions About Fast Food Baskets

What sizes are available?

Baskets are available in progressing lengths and widths, with most baskets being less than 2 inches deep. Oval and rectangular baskets range from about 5 inches wide and 7 inches long to 9 inches wide and 12 inches long. Solid circular plastic food baskets have diameters between 7 inches and 12 inches. Use smaller baskets to serve sides and appetizers such as fried okra or cheese curds and larger baskets to serve bread or a sandwich and side.

What colors are available?

Black or red baskets for food are a classic option when paired with a red checkered paper liner, but additional colors are available for color-coded organization or to suit your business's brand or decor. In addition to black and red, choose from blue, brown, green, orange, silver, white, and yellow gridded baskets. Solid baskets are also available in muted colors, such as terracotta or gunmetal.

Why is it important to use paper liners with plastic serving baskets?

For sanitary service and simplified cleaning, use disposable paper liners that guests can throw away as they put their plastic burger basket on the top of a trash can to leave. These liners discourage contact with food during service and keep food items such as sauce or melted cheese from sticking to the sides of the basket, which can be difficult to clean.

Are these baskets ideal for french fries?

Operators can choose to serve fries in traditional fast food baskets or in smaller, upright containers of a similar size and shape to cardboard holders. These products are between 3 and 5 inches tall.

What types of plastic are fast food baskets made of?

Fast food baskets are usually made of polyethylene or polypropylene. Polypropylene is less dense, which means baskets made of this material will be lighter than polyethylene baskets of the same size. Baskets made of either material may be microwave and heat lamp safe, but check the product's specifications before attempting to use it in this way.

Plastic french fry baskets made of melamine, a material made from resin and plant fiber, are also available. This durable material is heat resistant but shouldn't be used in a microwave.