Packaging is one of those things that isn’t always the center of attention but can play an important supporting role. Kurt Richars, director of growth and marketing for St. Louis-based Anchor Packaging, said his company focuses on providing customers with “packaging that performs.”
Richars, speaking with The Shelby Report shortly after the IDDBA Show in Houston wrapped up in June, said the challenges of labor, supply chain inflation and increasing sales were among the topics that arose frequently when talking with retailers at the conference.
Anchor’s Crisp Food Technologies containers can address all of these. 
For instance, the two-piece – base and domed lid – containers that often are used for rotisserie chicken offer efficiency, he said. Employees can lay out all the bases and easily transfer the chickens from the rotisserie to them with minimal handling. They can then quickly place the lid on top, sealing it completely or just laying the lid on it loosely to let some of the steam escape.
Either way, “it holds all that heat inside of there,” Richars said. “So when it goes in the hot case, you’ve got better heat retention, and it certainly displays really well.”
Because of the heat retention qualities of the Crisp Food containers, rotisserie chicken stays at fresh-made quality longer. That means the hot case can be loaded prior to peak selling times, with more product, which allows retailers to plan labor better.
“That’s huge for a store … for the lunch rush or dinner rush, you don’t have to push two or three more staff members into the deli,” he said. “The team can be preloading 90 minutes ahead of the rush so everything’s ready to roll.
“You’re going to capture that extra volume because you were able to put more out before the rush.”
That’s not only true for rotisserie chicken but also for fried chicken, thanks to the Crisp Food Technologies container made specifically for that deli staple.
The container holds the pieces away from the sides, which helps keep them crispy, and the built-in technology causes air to circulate to dispel unwanted moisture created by the chicken’s heat.
For the consumer, the containers allow a clear view of the chicken, are easy to grab and can be used for serving as well as to store leftovers after the meal (if there are any). Some consumers even save them for future use.
For the deli, the containers can transition from the hot case to the cold case as needed, saving them from having to use a second container for cold merchandising.
“There’s one more package you didn’t even have to use, so you have a savings there as well,” Richars said.
An attractive package that holds chicken or other prepared foods at quality for longer also can help secure more meals for the retailer.
“How do you win that next meal or get on the meal plan for next week? Deliver an outstanding product, right? These guys are making fantastic chicken, but if the package can’t protect it, can’t protect the quality as well, you risk all that work,” Richars said.
Anchor Packaging offers retailers free samples of its containers.
“We want people out there to try it and see the difference that better packaging, ‘packaging that performs,’ can deliver for them in their stores,” he said, adding that Anchor welcomes retailer requests for packaging solutions for items they may be developing.
“We will have some ideas for you,” Richars said. “We’re glad to help in any way that’s being a partner to the retailer.”
Anchor offers other lines such as MicroRaves, Safe Pinch, Crystal Classics and Culinary Series to address a range of needs for retail and foodservice operators.
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