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EVF99052

Flared Take-Away Container

A classic open-top folding carton designed for fast-paced food service and concessions. This flared container ships flat, pops open with a quick squeeze, and secures via a manual interlocking base, making it easy to hold and fast to fill.

Because the top remains fully open, it accommodates overfilled portions like fries or snacks. The interlocking bottom flaps are designed for solid or wrapped foods, requiring a grease-resistant board coating if used for direct food contact.

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  • Available in a wide variety of configurations.

At a glance

  • Open-top flared design for easy overfilling and hand-held eating
  • Manual snap-lock bottom requires operator assembly before filling
  • Ships flat (side-seam glued) to save space in crowded food service areas

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Concession and Fast-Food Applications

Hand-held snacks and fried foods

The flared shape mimics a traditional fry scoop, making it comfortable for customers to hold while walking. The wide, open top allows staff to quickly overfill the container with fries, rings, or churros without navigating flaps or lids.

Wrapped sandwiches and bakery items

For items that are already wrapped in foil or paper, this container acts as a rigid outer holder that catches crumbs and provides a clean, printable surface for branding.

Popcorn and dry concession snacks

The wide opening makes it easy to scoop and serve high-volume dry snacks like popcorn or kettle corn directly from the popper, keeping service lines moving quickly.

Shared appetizer portions

The flared shape allows multiple people to reach in simultaneously, making it a practical choice for loaded fries, nachos, or shared event snacks.

Food Service and Event Operations

Stadiums, events, and food trucks

High-volume environments benefit from the flat-shipping profile. Thousands of these containers can be stored under a counter and popped open as needed, though staff must be trained to quickly engage the bottom lock during rushes.

Fast-casual dining and counter service

Restaurants with high foot traffic rely on the flat-shipping profile to save under-counter space, popping them open only as orders are placed.

Amusement parks and theaters

The rigid paperboard construction holds up well when carried through crowded venues, providing a stable base for walking patrons.

Delivery and Wet Food Alternatives

Liquid or heavily sauced foods

Because the floor is formed by interlocking cut flaps rather than a continuous folded web, this container is not liquid-tight. If you are serving soups, heavily sauced noodles, or wet dishes, look at a webbed-corner leak-proof pail.

Third-party delivery and transport

The open top offers no heat retention or spill protection during transit. For delivery orders, a closed-top take-out box or a clamshell carton is a safer choice.

Board Coatings and Assembly Speed

Barrier coatings for direct food contact

Standard folding boxboard will absorb grease and moisture, leading to a soggy container. If the food touches the board directly, you must specify a PE, PLA, or grease-resistant coating.

Manual locking versus pre-glued bases

This template uses a manual snap-lock base. While this keeps manufacturing costs lower than a pre-glued crash-lock, it requires the operator to push the bottom flaps together to secure the floor before filling.

Print layout on flared panels

Because the blank is fan-shaped, artwork must be warped on the dieline to appear straight when the container is erected. This requires specific prepress handling.

Board caliper and lock security

The interlocking bottom flaps rely on the stiffness of the board. Heavier portions require a thicker caliper to ensure the tongue lock does not buckle under weight.

Sizing and Base Proportions

Opening width and volume scaling

The overall height and the width of the top opening can be adjusted to match specific portion sizes. Changing the flare angle will affect how the container nests and how it runs through the folder-gluer.

Flare angle and nesting behavior

Adjusting the taper changes how the containers nest together if pre-assembled, as well as how they run through the folder-gluer during production.

Base proportion and stability

The ratio of the bottom floor to the top opening can be modified to create a wider, more stable base for tabletop eating, or a narrower base for easier one-handed carrying.

Packing details

Print layout on flared panels

The fan-shaped blank means that graphics must be carefully warped or mapped on the dieline to appear straight when the container is erected into its 3D flared shape.

Additional notes

Bottom lock security

The tongue-and-notch lock at the base is secure for standard snack weights, but staff must ensure the tongue is fully engaged to prevent the floor from opening under pressure.

Alternative Food Service Cartons

Webbed-Corner Food Pail

A safer alternative for wet foods, heavy sauces, or soups that require a continuous, leak-resistant floor.

FAQs

Can this container hold liquids or wet foods?

No. The bottom is formed by interlocking flaps, which leaves small gaps. It is designed for dry, fried, or wrapped foods. Wet foods require a webbed-corner pail.

Does the board come with a grease-resistant coating?

The coating depends on your specific order. If you are packing greasy items like fries, you should request a grease-resistant or poly-coated board during the quoting process.

Does this container pop open automatically?

The side walls pop open when squeezed, but the bottom flaps must be manually pushed together to lock the floor in place. It is not a pre-glued auto-bottom.

Do I need tape or glue to assemble these at the counter?

No. The side seam is glued during manufacturing. Your staff only needs to fold and lock the bottom flaps by hand.

Can these be pre-assembled before a rush?

Yes. Staff can lock the bottoms in advance and stack or nest the empty containers, though nesting efficiency depends on the specific flare angle chosen for your design.

Can the entire outside of the container be printed?

Yes, the entire outer surface can be printed. However, because the walls are angled, artwork must be specially adjusted on the dieline so it appears level when the box is folded.

Why does the artwork need to be warped on the dieline?

Because the container is formed from a fan-shaped blank, straight lines printed on the flat board will appear curved once folded. Prepress adjustments ensure your logos and text look level on the final 3D shape.

How are these delivered?

They are delivered knocked-down (flat), which makes them highly efficient to store in tight food truck or concession stand spaces.

Choose the flared take-away container for fast, hand-held snack service that prioritizes easy filling and flat storage.