What Size Food Delivery Bag Do You Actually Need for Your Deliveries?

When food delivery is concerned, the right food delivery bag is not only a matter of being professional-looking — it's important for maintaining meals fresh, hot (or cold), and in one piece.

But one question tends to leave new and even experienced delivery drivers baffled: what size food delivery bag do you actually need for your deliveries?

Using the wrong size will result in crushed meals, disgruntled customers, and lower ratings. No one wants that.

Let's get it right, so you can get the ideal bag without all the uncertainty.

Why The Right Food Delivery Bag Size is Important

It's easy to assume any bag will suffice, but the right size of food delivery bag can make or break your business.

This is why:

1. Temperature Control: A well-sized bag maintains better insulation, holding food at the correct temperature.
2. Food Safety: Loose or congested items can pose contamination risks.
3. Customer Experience: Tidy, upright food equates to less complaint and more tips.

A Deliveroo survey found that 78% of customers report noticing when their food arrives cold or messy.

That’s a lot of pressure on your bag choice alone.

What Are the Standard Food Delivery Bag Sizes?

Before we dive into which one you need, let’s quickly cover the common sizes on the market:

1. Small: Around 12" x 12" x 10" (perfect for one or two meals).
2. Medium: Approximately 16" x 16" x 12" (perfect for three to four meals).
3. Large: Approximately 20" x 20" x 14" (perfect for family-sized orders or bulk catering).

You will also see larger bags utilized by caterers — these can accommodate large trays or several pizza boxes at a time.

Bag Size to Suit Your Type of Delivery

Now, let's consider what you deliver the most.

Here's a handy reference:

1. Small Orders: Best for Rapid Takeaways

Single meals, coffee, or fast-food sets are a great use for a small food delivery bag.

• Lightweight and easy to carry.
• The packages can be opened and loaded and unloaded at a quicker pace.

The typical McDonald's order consisting of one burger along with fries and a drink fits easily without disarray.

2. Family Meals or Multi-Item Orders

What procedures do you use to transport family and group orders? Choose a medium food delivery bag.

• Provides space for several containers.
• Prevents piling meals, minimizing spills.

Example: Four curry boxes, naan bread, and rice trays from your favorite UK take-away.

3. Bulk Deliveries, Party Orders and Catering

If you deal with catering companies or services like UberEats catering, you'll require a large food delivery bag.

• For large trays and numerous items.
• Reinforced to support heavy loads.

Application: Delivering 20 sandwiches for a corporate lunch or large sushi platters.

4. Pizza Deliveries: Unique Sizing Required

Pizza has a whole different universe when it comes to bags.

• A pizza delivery bag needs to hold 2–5 pizza boxes without causing them to break.
• Typical sizes: 18" x 18" for regular pizzas, larger for family size.

Tip: Always test if the bag is breathable to prevent soggy crusts.

Key Features You Should Look For (Not Just Size)

Finding the right size is important — but don’t ignore quality features either.

In HNR Catering Supplies, we would advise you to look out for:

• Thick insulation for utmost temperature control.
• Waterproof lining to avoid spills.
• Strong zippers or Velcro for convenient opening.
• Sturdy handles for easy carrying.
• Internal straps or compartments to keep various food items in place.

It will save you time, effort, and keep your customers satisfied by spending a bit more money initially on a high-quality food delivery bag.

Real World Example: Why Size Matters

Jamie, a part-time Deliveroo driver from London, shared his experience with us.

Initially, he used just one medium bag for everything. It worked for regular meals, but when he landed a corporate catering job, disaster struck.

"Half the salads tipped over. Some containers cracked.

Since then, Jamie upgraded to a large catering-grade food delivery bag from HNR Catering Supplies — and he hasn’t had a single complaint.

It shows: having the right size really does matter.

How Many Bags Do You Actually Need?

Most professional couriers carry at least two bags:

• One small for everyday small orders.
• One large for bigger, unexpected jobs.

If you’re full-time or working across different apps, a three-bag system (small, medium and large) offers maximum flexibility.

Conclusion: Select Smart, Deliver Better

Selecting the optimal food delivery bag size is not a minor point — it's the key to excellent delivery service.

Match your bag to your usual order type. Invest in good features. Always look ahead.

We're seasoned in the world of delivery back to front at HNR Catering Supplies. That's why we carry a variety of premium food delivery bags — designed for every type of order and every type of courier.

Want to make your delivery go to the next level? Select the ideal food delivery bag today and make each order your best order ever!