As soon as temperatures rise, your customers' ordering habits change too. Hot coffee is more often replaced by iced coffee, soft serve flies out the door and smoothies, milkshakes and fresh juices become even more popular. For hospitality businesses, ice cream parlours, lunchrooms and food trucks, a heatwave is the perfect opportunity to respond to the demand for something refreshing.
But busy summer days also require good preparation. After all, there is nothing more frustrating than running out of ice cream cups, straws, lids or sturdy drinking cups just when your terrace is full. With the right disposables, you can work efficiently, serve everything neatly and make it easy for customers to take their refreshing order with them.
Which disposables do you need on hot days?
On hot days, convenience, speed and presentation are key. Customers want to receive their order quickly, take it with them or enjoy it outside without any hassle. That is why practical disposables are essential.
For example, sturdy ice cream cups are ideal for soft serve, scooped ice cream or frozen yoghurt. For smoothies, milkshakes and iced coffee, transparent drinking cups are ideal because the contents remain clearly visible. This makes your product more appealing and allows colourful drinks to stand out even more.
Lids, straws, spoons and napkins are also essential. Especially for takeaway orders or busy terraces, these small products can make a big difference to the customer experience.
How do you serve ice cream in a practical way?
Ice cream is, of course, a real bestseller on hot days. Whether you serve soft serve, scooped ice cream, frozen yoghurt or desserts, a good ice cream cup should be sturdy and comfortable to hold.
Cardboard ice cream cups are a popular choice. They are suitable for a variety of portion sizes and give your ice cream a neat, professional appearance. Combine your ice cream cups with spoons, napkins and, if needed, a lid for takeaway, so customers can easily take their ice cream with them or enjoy it straight away.
Which cups are suitable for smoothies and cold drinks?
Smoothies, juices, milkshakes and iced coffee require a cup that is sturdy and can be securely closed. Transparent cups are especially useful because the colours and layers of the drink remain visible. This creates a fresh appearance and can also help encourage impulse purchases.
For cold drinks, PET or rPET cups with matching lids are a practical option. They are ideal for takeaway and drinking on the go. Do you serve drinks with toppings, whipped cream or fruit? Then dome lids are a practical choice. For iced coffee, lemonade or fresh juices, flat lids with a straw opening are particularly convenient.
PET cans are also an eye-catching option for fresh juices, smoothies, mocktails or iced coffee. They give your drinks a modern appearance and are ideal if you want to offer something different from a standard drinking cup.
How can you make cold drinks more appealing for takeaway?
With summer drinks, presentation matters just as much as taste. A well-filled cup with fruit, ice cubes, colourful layers or toppings almost sells itself. Especially when customers take their drinks away or walk around with them, the packaging also becomes part of your brand's visibility.
Choose cups that match the look and feel of your business. A transparent cup lets the contents speak for themselves. A sturdy lid helps prevent spills. And with a matching straw, napkin or drinks carrier, you can complete the order.
Selling several drinks at once? Cup holders or carrier bags make it easier for customers to take multiple iced coffees, smoothies or soft drinks with them for colleagues, friends or family.
How can you avoid stock shortages during a heatwave?
During a heatwave, demand can suddenly rise sharply. Products that would normally last for weeks can run out in just a few days. Popular summer essentials such as ice cream cups, cold drink cups, straws, napkins and lids are therefore products that are worth keeping well stocked.
Prepare a short summer checklist in advance. Check which products you use most often on hot days and make sure you have enough stock. Do not just think about the cup itself, but also everything that goes with it: lids, spoons, straws, napkins, carrier bags and bin bags.
Good preparation allows your team to work quickly, prevents disappointing customers and helps you make the most of busy summer days.
Which products should be part of your summer selection?
For a heatwave-proof range, these are the real must-haves:
Ice cream cups for soft serve, scooped ice cream and frozen yoghurt
- Ice cream spoons
- Transparent drinking cups for smoothies, juices and iced coffee
- Flat lids and dome lids
- Straws for cold drinks
- Cup holders for carrying multiple drinks
- Napkins for terraces and takeaway
- Carrier bags for takeaway orders
- PET cans for an eye-catching presentation of cold drinks
With these essentials in stock, you will be ready for busy summer days, whether you run an ice cream parlour, lunchroom, food truck, snack bar or beach bar.
Get your business ready for summer
A heatwave offers plenty of opportunities for hospitality businesses. Customers are looking for ways to cool down and are more likely to choose ice cream, smoothies, iced coffee and other cold drinks. With the right disposables, you can respond to this demand effectively.
At TakeAware, you will find everything you need to prepare your business for hot summer days. From ice cream cups and drinking cups to straws, lids, napkins and convenient takeaway packaging.
Author: Manon Schram
