Catering Trays and Lids

Cardboard catering boxes and trays provide structured support for prepared food pans during pickup, delivery, event setup, and off-site service. They are commonly used by caterers, restaurants, hotels, banquet facilities, corporate dining operations, and event venues.

The corrugated tray supports the food pan, while built-in side handles provide convenient carrying points. Compatible lids can add coverage and help keep orders organized during transportation.

Start with the size of the catering pan you need to carry. Half-sheet trays are useful for smaller orders, side dishes, appetizers, desserts, and divided menus. Full-sheet trays provide more room for larger entrées, high-volume orders, and event service.

Compare your pan's outside dimensions with the dimensions listed for the tray. Account for the pan rim, food height, and any additional clearance needed for a compatible lid.

Tray and lid availability varies by product. Some listings may be for the corrugated tray, while others may be compatible lids. Review the individual product description, dimensions, unit of measure, and case quantity before ordering.

When ordering trays and lids separately, confirm that both products are designed for the same size and series. Similar outside dimensions do not always guarantee compatibility.

Before selecting a size, measure or confirm:

• The outside length and width of the catering pan, including its rim
• The total height of the pan and prepared food
• The clearance required to prevent a lid from touching the food
• The number of pans that will be carried or stacked together
• The available space in delivery vehicles, storage areas, and serving stations

These corrugated catering trays have notched construction designed to support more organized stacking. Compatible lids can also create a more contained package for transportation and event setup.

Stack only as appropriate for the weight, temperature, and contents of each order. Avoid overloading the lower trays, keep each pan level, and secure the complete order inside the delivery vehicle to help reduce movement.

Die-cut side handles provide designated carrying points and can make large prepared-food orders easier to move. They are particularly useful when transferring orders between kitchens, vehicles, customer pickup areas, banquet rooms, and event service locations.

Always carry the tray with both hands and confirm that the food pan is properly seated before lifting.

Yes. The folding corrugated construction allows the trays to ship and store flat before assembly. This can help busy kitchens and catering operations maintain an organized packaging supply without filling valuable storage areas with preassembled containers.

These trays are primarily designed to carry compatible catering pans and containers. Prepared food should remain inside an appropriate food-service pan or container unless an individual product is specifically identified as suitable for direct food contact.

Yes. The available catering trays and lids are sold in case quantities for restaurants, caterers, venues, hotels, and other food-service businesses. Product dimensions, case counts, pricing, and availability vary, so review the individual listing before placing your order.

Yes. If your business needs branded bags, boxes, takeout containers, or other restaurant packaging beyond the products available on this page, explore our custom restaurant packaging capabilities.

Learn about custom-printed restaurant packaging.