May 23, 2018

4 Min Read
Lamb Weston packaging delivers hot and crispy french fries
A from-scratch reinvention of french fry packaging may revolutionize home delivery of an all-time favorite food.

The patented Crispy on Delivery solution brings hot, crispy french fries to a consumer’s door, thanks to an optimized packaging design and structure.

When you order french fries, you really want them to be fresh fries as in hot and crispy, which is no small feat when you order them from a restaurant to be delivered conveniently to your door.

In fact, when can you recall eating home-delivered fries that were anywhere close to restaurant fresh? It would seem to be a Herculean task to make that possible in an economically feasible way.

However, with nearly seven decades’ experience making fries and just weeks after a previous breakthrough (Lamb Weston unveils sustainably optimized food packaging) Lamb Weston (Eagle, ID) believes it has achieved that feat using a combination of factors including packaging. The company’s new Crispy on Delivery solution ensures that fries are delivered to customers’ homes still hot and crispy.

Crispy on Delivery started with extensive research focused on customer satisfaction for home fry delivery. Lamb Weston identified three key areas that can impact delivered fry quality—the product, the packaging and best practices for from store-to-door delivery.

“There’s nothing better than hot and crispy fries—one of the most loved foods in the world,” says Mike Smith, SVP Growth & Strategy, Lamb Weston. “We know we’ve got a solution to help our customers deliver on this. No one knows fries better than Lamb Weston – and our comprehensive approach to hot and crispy fries truly goes from the store to the door.”

Traditional fries start to lose their appeal after only five minutes. The lightly battered Crispy on Delivery fries maintain heat and crispiness for thirty minutes.

Crispy on Delivery fries travel in style—in a patented paper-based fry cup container with venting technology. The cup leverages strategically placed vents to keep fries warm while also preventing condensation from collecting in the packaging and dampening the fries—and consumers’ experience.

Jason Allen, director of global product management and innovation, answers Packaging Digest’s questions.

What led to this development?

Allen: The primary objective while brainstorming the packaging was to keep fries hot and crispy through the delivery process.

Studies show growth in the delivery category/segment so we anticipate this will open up new business opportunities for our company, and will help our customers solve one of their pressing challenges – how to improve the quality of delivered fries.  We also feel our “Store to Door” support—preparation and packing tips, to door—optimal delivery strategies and care and handling directions for our operators is a valued feature of the Crispy on Delivery solution.

This works through a combination of fries’ coating and packaging?

Allen: The packaging and special batter recipe work together to keep the fries crispy longer and to help maintain heat. Neither by itself is as effective as both working together. 

What’s the specific packaging structure?

Allen: The packaging is made from virgin food-grade paperboard and specially designed with air vent features that keep the fries crispy while transporting them to the customer. The package is a patented/pending design.  

Is this a patented packaging design?

Allen: It is patented in several markets around the world and patent pending in the United States.

How long was this in development?

Allen: We worked with our European partner, Lamb Weston/Meijer, to develop the Crispy on Delivery technology. Although this looks like a simple cup design, from concept to execution of the packaging took more than a year.

How critical are the die cut holes and design?

Allen: The size, position, and number of vents in the package are all designed to deliver on the Crispy on Delivery promise. This has been optimized with that end in mind.

What is the serving size or range of sizes available?

Allen: Using the Crispy on Delivery straight-cut fry, the cup packaging is 5.5 oz.

Who are potential customers?

Allen: Potential customers include restaurants who are actively participating in food delivery or who have interest in exploring delivery. We cannot share which customers are currently testing or investigating this option.  Early reaction to Crispy on Delivery fries was positive with restaurant operators rating them higher for overall satisfaction versus traditional fries.

Assuming this specialty potato carries a cost premium, what’s the justification for operators?

Allen: The operators now have the capability to provide crispy fries to their customers, which they have not been able to do in the past. Good products (crispy fries) = happy customers.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Ecommerce challenges, new bioplastic technologies, a hands-on upcycling activity and more are part of the new EastPack Hub, a free 3-day program of packaging  presentations and demos at EastPack 2018 (June 12-14; New York City).

___________________________________________________________________________________

Sign up for the Packaging Digest News & Insights newsletter.

You May Also Like