Custom Burger Boxes

What is a burger box?

A burger box is a square paperboard container with a hinged lid, often called a clamshell, that closes around a single burger. It keeps the bun upright, holds heat for the short trip to a table or car, and stops sauce from reaching the bag. Each burger packaging box is planned around the food it holds, and other formats include open-ended sleeves and, for retail brands, flat cartons of frozen patties. Good burger box packaging keeps the meal hot, tidy and branded; all of these formats belong to our food packaging collection.

Burger packaging formats compared

A burger carton with a side compartment saves a second container; for fries served alone, our french fry boxes match the same artwork.

Sizing a burger box that actually fits

A box that is too tight squashes the bun; one that is too loose lets the burger slide and the toppings fall out. Measure your finished burger, not the raw patty:

• Width: the widest point, which is usually the bun or a lettuce leaf
• Height: the full stack, including cheese, tomato and the top bun
• Clearance: a quarter inch or so all round, plus a little headroom

Standard burgers often fit a box about 4.5 to 5 inches square, tall stacks need 4 inches or more of height, and sliders fit about 3 inches square. We make every size to your recipe, and your kitchen can test a real burger in a sample box delivered within 5–7 days.

Grease, steam and freshness

Burgers release grease, steam and sauce in the first few minutes. Grease-resistant, food-safe coating helps hide oil from your print, while a moisture-resistant version keeps the board firmer under steam. If saucy burgers travel far, add a leak-resistant coating to the base. For longer delivery runs, a few restaurants want vent holes punched in the lid to keep the bun crisp.

Burger sleeves for fast service

A burger sleeve is a paperboard band that wraps around a burger in its paper wrap, leaving the ends open. It is quicker to pack than a box, uses less material, and leaves the customer's hands cleaner. Sleeves suit food trucks, stadium stands and festival stalls where burgers are eaten on the spot. Printed in a strong brand color, burger sleeves stand out in event photos.

Frozen burgers box for retail

Meat, poultry and plant-based brands sell patties in a frozen burgers box — usually a flat tuck-end carton holding four, six or eight patties separated by paper. The carton has to survive freezer storage and still sell at a glance, so it uses a moisture-resistant coating, a clear photo of the cooked burger and cooking instructions on the back. Ingredients, nutrition panel and handling statements are your brand's to supply. Our frozen food boxes page covers freezer cartons in more detail.

How to make a burger box, step by step

Most clamshell burger boxes come from one die-cut sheet and fold without glue:

1. Lay the flat blank print-side down.
2. Fold up the four base walls along the scored lines.
3. Tuck the corner flaps inside so the base holds its shape.
4. Fold the lid walls the same way.
5. Close the lid and push the front tab into the slot to lock it.

Your staff can fold a stack before service, and the flat blanks take very little storage space. Each order includes a free dieline so you can see exactly how your design wraps around the folds.

Custom printed burger boxes that build a brand

• Lid: logo large and centered — it is what customers see first and photograph
• Front edge: a short line like "Smash burgers since day one" or your social handle
• Sides: menu cues such as "Double", "Veggie" or "Spicy" so the kitchen sends the right box
• Inside the lid: a thank-you note or QR code for reviews and loyalty programs
• Kraft board with black ink: a simple look for craft and gourmet burger joints

Design support is included free on print orders; for menus, logos and full packaging systems, see our packaging design packages.

Burger boxes wholesale for restaurants and chains

Restaurants buy burger boxes wholesale once their menu sizes are fixed. One burger design needs at least 100 boxes. Keeping one artwork across your clamshells, sleeves and takeout boxes makes reorders simple and the counter look consistent. Flat-packed stock stores easily in a small kitchen, and wholesale burger boxes in one shared size are the easiest to reorder.

Disposable, compostable and eco options

Disposable burger boxes in paperboard replace foam clamshells for many restaurants. If you want packaging that breaks down after use, ask for compostable board; FSC-certified board is offered too, and natural kraft suits brands with a sustainability message. Grease affects what local programs take, so a brief disposal note on the box helps.

How much do custom burger boxes cost?

Size, style, board, print, coatings and quantity drive the price. Send your burger sizes, quantities and logo through our burger box quote request; we answer with clamshell pricing and a matching dieline.

Turnaround and shipping

After you approve the digital proof, your boxes go into production for 8–10 business days; a grand opening on the calendar? Mention it and we will look at rush slots. We ship across the US at no charge on orders beyond $500 and deliver internationally as well.