What packaging does a fish and chip shop actually need?
Fish and chips are a high-volume, fast-service product. Your packaging needs to do several things at once: keep the fish crispy (not steaming), hold a generous portion without collapsing, look right for your brand, and be quick to pack. The core items you need fall into four categories: boxes, trays, scoops, and bags.
Many chippy owners stick with the same packaging they’ve always used, but there’s increasing interest in switching to more eco-friendly options — particularly bagasse (sugarcane pulp) alternatives that are fully compostable and look premium on the counter.
Which fish and chip boxes do you need?
Fish & chip boxes come in corrugated cardboard (the most common) and bagasse (compostable sugarcane). Most UK chip shops use corrugated boxes in three sizes to accommodate different portion sizes. Here’s how the sizes typically break down:
| Box size | Best for | Approx. portion | LumaPack price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small corrugated | Child’s meal, snack portion, chips only | Small chips or small fish portion | £19.99/case (100 pcs) |
| Medium corrugated | Regular meal (one piece of fish + chips) | Standard adult portion | £22.99/case (100 pcs) |
| Large corrugated | Large meal, sharing portion | Large fish + generous chips | £24.99/case (100 pcs) |
| XL bagasse | Premium eco option, larger portions | Extra large or sharing | £37.99/case (200 pcs) |
The corrugated structure of standard fish & chip boxes isn’t just for looks — the ridged board creates small air pockets that help keep food from going soggy too quickly. This matters more for dine-in or short-carry customers; for delivery, you may want to add vented lids or ventilation holes.
How do I choose between corrugated and bagasse boxes?
The decision comes down to budget and brand positioning:
Corrugated fish & chip boxes
Corrugated cardboard boxes are the traditional chip shop standard. They’re robust, grease-resistant to a degree, and available in small, medium, and large sizes. LumaPack’s small, medium, and large corrugated fish & chip boxes are priced from £19.99 to £24.99 per case of 100 — making them cost-effective for high-volume services.
Bagasse (sugarcane) boxes
The Extra Large Bagasse Fish & Chips Boxes at £37.99/case (200 pcs) are made from sugarcane pulp and are certified compostable. They’re grease-resistant, sturdy, and have a natural, quality look that works well for fish and chip shops that want to position themselves as a cut above the standard. The cost per unit is competitive at under 20p each.
What else does a chip shop need to stock?
Beyond the main box, a complete chip shop packaging kit includes:
- Chip scoops — Kraft chip scoops are the standard for scooping chips directly into boxes or bags. They come in medium and large sizes. LumaPack’s medium kraft chip scoops (£34.99/case of 1,000) and large kraft chip scoops (£44.99/case of 1,000) give you a natural, unbleached look that suits traditional chip shop branding.
- Chippy trays — Open trays are used for chips-only orders or as an accompaniment to a boxed meal. Bagasse chippy trays (£29.99/case of 500) are compostable and look smart. Kraft trays in small, medium, and large are available for a lower-cost option.
- Sauce pots — Hinged sauce pots (1oz, 2oz, or 4oz) for mushy peas, gravy, curry sauce, or tartare. These are one of the most frequently forgotten items when opening a chip shop — you’ll go through them fast. Stock the 1oz and 2oz hinged sauce pots as a minimum.
- Carrier bags — Kraft paper carrier bags with twist handles work well for larger orders. They’re robust enough to carry a boxed meal plus an open tray and look more professional than plastic bags.
- Napkins — Often overlooked, but your customers will want them. A stack of single-ply or 2-ply white napkins near the counter is a must.
Kraft trays vs chippy trays: what’s the difference?
Kraft trays (small, medium, large)
Kraft trays are open, rectangular trays made from unbleached paper board. They’re used for chips served on their own or as an accompaniment — not for fish. They’re very low cost at around 3–4p per unit in bulk and they stack and store efficiently. LumaPack offers small, medium, and large kraft trays from £29.99 to £44.99/case of 1,000.
Bagasse chippy trays
Bagasse chippy trays are the eco version of the open chip tray. They’re slightly thicker and more rigid than kraft paper trays, hold their shape better under weight, and are certified compostable. At £29.99/case of 500, they cost roughly 6p each — about double the kraft paper tray, but the premium look and eco credentials make them worth it for chip shops that care about their environmental image.
Tips for managing packaging in a busy chip shop
Order the right case quantities
Fish and chip shops are typically high-volume operations, especially on Friday and weekend evenings. A 100-piece case of boxes can disappear in a single busy service. For boxes, order at least 3–5 cases at a time; for chip scoops and sauce pots, a case of 1,000 gives you comfortable stock without taking up too much space.
Store packaging correctly
Corrugated boxes lose their structural integrity if they get damp. Keep them off the floor on a pallet or shelf, away from fryers and steam. A dedicated dry store area for packaging pays dividends — a soggy box on a busy Friday night is the last thing you need.
Consider your delivery offering
If you do delivery (via Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or direct), standard chip boxes may need adjustments. Consider using slightly smaller portion sizes in boxes to prevent spillage during transit, and look at secure lid solutions or tape closures if your boxes are open-top.
Summary
A well-stocked UK fish and chip shop needs corrugated or bagasse fish & chip boxes in at least two sizes, kraft or bagasse chip scoops and trays, sauce pots, carrier bags, and napkins. LumaPack supplies all of these items at wholesale prices with free UK delivery on orders over £100 and 24–48h dispatch. Browse the full street food and chip shop packaging range to build your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size fish and chip box do I need?
Most UK chip shops stock small, medium, and large corrugated fish & chip boxes. Small boxes suit a child’s meal or chips-only portion; medium boxes are for a standard adult meal (one piece of fish and chips); large boxes handle bigger portions or two pieces of fish. If you serve extra-large portions or sharing meals, the XL bagasse box is worth considering.
Are bagasse chip boxes better than corrugated?
Bagasse boxes are compostable and have a more premium, natural appearance, which suits chip shops positioning themselves as sustainable or artisan. Corrugated boxes are the traditional, lower-cost option that’s well-proven in high-volume chip shop environments. Both perform well for their purpose — the choice depends on your budget and brand positioning.
How many boxes does a busy chip shop go through per week?
A busy chip shop serving 200–400 covers on a Friday evening could easily use 150–300 boxes in a single service. Weekly, a typical high-volume chip shop might use 3–6 cases of 100 boxes. Order in sufficient volume to avoid running out on peak days — LumaPack’s 24–48h dispatch means you can reorder quickly, but it’s worth keeping a buffer of 2–3 cases.
Can I get branded packaging for my chip shop?
Yes — LumaPack offers custom-printed packaging including boxes and bags, with low minimum order quantities. Branded packaging is a relatively low-cost way to make your chip shop look more professional and memorable, especially if you do delivery or takeaway. Contact LumaPack for custom printing enquiries.
What sauce pots do fish and chip shops use?
The most common sauce portions in UK chip shops are 1oz (for small portions of tartare, ketchup, or vinegar) and 2oz (for mushy peas, gravy, or curry sauce). Hinged plastic sauce pots are the most practical — they’re leak-resistant and easy to portion. Round paper portion pots are an eco alternative but less secure for liquid sauces.
