Grizzlies at NRA Show 2024: Building Stronger Partnerships in North American Foodservice Packaging
Grizzlies successfully participated in the National Restaurant Association Show 2024 in Chicago, connecting with restaurant operators, foodservice distributors, importers, catering suppliers and packaging buyers from across North America and other international markets.
Held from May 18 to May 21 at McCormick Place, the NRA Show brought together professionals from across the restaurant and hospitality industry to explore new products, technologies and solutions for modern foodservice operations.
For Grizzlies, the exhibition provided an important opportunity to present our sugarcane bagasse tableware, discuss PFAS-free molded fiber packaging and better understand the changing requirements of North American foodservice customers.
The conversations we had in Chicago went beyond individual products. Buyers were increasingly interested in complete packaging programs that could combine sustainability, food performance, compliance, customization and reliable bulk supply.
Meeting North American Foodservice Buyers in Chicago
The National Restaurant Association Show is one of the most important annual events for the U.S. restaurant and foodservice industry.
During the 2024 exhibition, Grizzlies met with buyers serving different parts of the foodservice market, including:
- restaurant chains;
- foodservice distributors;
- takeaway and delivery businesses;
- catering suppliers;
- supermarket prepared-food programs;
- packaging wholesalers;
- private label customers.
These face-to-face conversations allowed our team to better understand how packaging is used in real restaurant operations and what North American buyers expect from molded fiber suppliers.
Many customers were evaluating not only whether a product was sustainable, but whether it could perform reliably during filling, holding, stacking, transportation and delivery.
Bagasse Takeaway Packaging Received Strong Interest
Takeaway and delivery packaging remained one of the main areas of interest at NRA Show 2024.
Restaurant operators need packaging that can handle hot meals, oily food, sauces and different portion sizes while remaining convenient for kitchen staff and customers.
Grizzlies presented and discussed a range of bagasse food containers designed for takeaway, prepared food, catering and delivery applications.
Buyers were interested in different capacities, shapes and lid combinations to suit specific menu applications.
Some projects required fully molded fiber solutions, while others needed transparent lid options to improve product visibility for prepared-food and retail programs.
These discussions reinforced the importance of selecting packaging based on the actual food application rather than simply choosing a standard size from a catalogue.
Bagasse Clamshells for Restaurant and Delivery Applications
Hinged food boxes were another key product category discussed with restaurant and distribution customers.
Our bagasse sugarcane clamshells are available in multiple sizes and compartment configurations for burgers, fried foods, sandwiches, rice meals and combination meals.
For larger meal programs, products such as our 8 × 8 inch and 9 × 9 inch three-compartment bagasse clamshells allow different food components to be separated within a single package.
Restaurant and catering customers were particularly interested in products that could balance convenience with structural strength during takeaway and delivery.
For foodservice operators, packaging performance directly affects food presentation and the customer experience after the meal leaves the kitchen.
PFAS-Free Packaging Was One of the Biggest Topics in 2024
PFAS-free food packaging was one of the most important industry topics surrounding NRA Show 2024.
On February 28, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that grease-proofing substances containing PFAS were no longer being sold by manufacturers for food-contact use in the U.S. market.
This development had particular significance for fiber-based takeaway packaging, where grease resistance is important for fried food, burgers, sauces and other oily meals.
As a result, many U.S. buyers were paying closer attention to PFAS-free molded fiber packaging.
However, replacing PFAS is only part of the challenge.
The finished package still needs to provide appropriate:
- oil resistance;
- moisture resistance;
- heat resistance;
- structural strength;
- food-contact performance.
For Grizzlies, developing PFAS-free packaging means considering both compliance and real-world foodservice performance.
Sustainability Remained Important to Restaurant Operators
Sustainability continued to be an important theme across the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show.
Industry discussions showed that restaurant operators were increasingly interested in reducing waste and improving the environmental performance of their foodservice operations.
According to insights published by the National Restaurant Association Show, sustainability remained an important priority for both consumers and operators in 2024.
This created continued interest in alternatives to conventional disposable packaging, including molded fiber products made from sugarcane bagasse.
At the same time, buyers were becoming more selective about environmental claims.
Professional customers wanted to understand the material composition, certification, food-contact suitability and end-of-life conditions behind claims such as compostable or biodegradable.
For B2B buyers, this makes reliable documentation and clear product specifications increasingly important.
Performance Matters Just as Much as Sustainability
One of the clearest messages from buyers at NRA Show 2024 was that sustainable packaging must also work efficiently in restaurant operations.
A food package may be made from renewable fiber, but it still needs to withstand the conditions encountered in commercial foodservice.
Buyers discussed packaging for:
- hot meals;
- fried foods;
- sauced dishes;
- burgers and sandwiches;
- salads;
- prepared meals;
- delivery;
- catering.
Each application places different demands on the product.
This is why Grizzlies works with customers to evaluate container structure, food temperature, grease level, moisture, holding time and delivery conditions before finalizing a packaging solution.
North American Customers Were Looking for Complete Product Ranges
Another trend we observed at NRA Show 2024 was that distributors and restaurant supply companies increasingly preferred suppliers capable of offering multiple product categories.
Instead of sourcing only one container, buyers often wanted to build a complete molded fiber product portfolio.
In addition to food containers and clamshells, Grizzlies supplies bagasse sugarcane plates in different round, square, oval and compartment formats.
Our bagasse sugarcane trays can also support catering, prepared-food and meal-service applications.
For distributors, sourcing several categories from one manufacturing partner can help simplify supplier management, product development and quality control.
Our Manufacturing Capacity Supports Large Foodservice Programs
Large restaurant groups and distributors also wanted to understand whether suppliers could support stable repeat orders.
Grizzlies Industries has more than 15 years of OEM and ODM experience in disposable food packaging.
Our manufacturing network includes:
- 11 production bases;
- more than 1,000 employees;
- over 280 automated forming machines;
- monthly production capacity of approximately 200 × 40HQ containers.
This production capability allows us to support distributors, restaurant groups, retailers and private label customers with continuous bulk supply.
For North American customers, stable production is particularly important when a packaging item becomes part of a restaurant or distribution program and needs to be reordered consistently.
OEM and ODM Development Was an Important Customer Requirement
Many buyers at NRA Show 2024 were also interested in customized molded fiber products.
Foodservice packaging requirements can vary significantly between restaurant concepts and distribution channels.
Customization requests discussed with customers included:
- different container dimensions;
- special compartment layouts;
- custom product depth;
- custom molds;
- lid compatibility;
- barrier and coating requirements;
- private label packaging;
- master-carton specifications.
Grizzlies supports OEM and ODM development from product concept and mold design through sampling, testing and mass production.
This gives restaurant brands and distributors greater flexibility to create packaging around their own menu, operating system and target market.
Barrier and Coating Solutions Became More Important
As PFAS-free requirements developed, buyers also became more interested in alternative barrier technologies.
Different molded fiber applications may require different levels of resistance to oil, water, moisture and temperature.
For standard takeaway applications, an unlaminated molded fiber structure may be suitable depending on food type and holding time.
Other applications, including prepared meals, chilled food and products requiring stronger moisture barriers, may require additional coating or lamination solutions.
Grizzlies works with different barrier options to support specific food applications and market requirements.
This technical flexibility is becoming increasingly important as customers look for molded fiber packaging that can serve a broader range of food categories.
Foodservice Packaging Is Becoming More Application-Specific
Another lesson from our discussions in Chicago was that buyers were moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach.
A burger restaurant, meal-prep brand, supermarket deli and catering company may all need molded fiber packaging, but the performance requirements are different.
Buyers increasingly wanted packaging matched to:
- food type;
- portion size;
- temperature;
- grease level;
- storage method;
- delivery time;
- customer presentation.
This makes communication between the buyer and manufacturer especially important during product selection and custom development.
Strengthening Relationships with North American Customers
One of the most valuable outcomes of NRA Show 2024 was the opportunity to communicate directly with customers serving the U.S. and Canadian foodservice markets.
Existing partners discussed future purchasing plans, new product opportunities and changing compliance requirements with our team.
New customers were able to evaluate Grizzlies' molded fiber product range, manufacturing scale and OEM/ODM development capabilities.
The exhibition also provided important market feedback about what North American buyers were prioritizing in 2024.
PFAS-free performance, reliable supply, clear documentation and packaging designed around specific food applications were among the most consistent themes.
Turning Exhibition Discussions into Long-Term Projects
For Grizzlies, participating in NRA Show is not only about presenting products during the exhibition.
The real value comes from turning customer discussions into practical long-term packaging projects.
A buyer may initially inquire about a standard clamshell or container, but the project may later develop into a customized product range involving different sizes, compartment structures, barrier solutions and private label packaging.
Our goal is to support customers throughout that process, from initial product evaluation and samples through mold development and bulk production.
Looking Ahead After NRA Show 2024
NRA Show 2024 gave Grizzlies valuable insight into how the North American foodservice packaging market was changing.
Sustainability remained important, but buyers were increasingly connecting environmental goals with PFAS-free requirements, food-contact compliance, product performance and supply stability.
For Grizzlies, these trends reinforce our strategy of combining renewable molded fiber materials with strong manufacturing capability and application-specific product development.
We will continue developing bagasse food containers, clamshells, plates, bowls, trays and customized molded fiber packaging for restaurant, catering, prepared-food and distribution customers.
If you are sourcing PFAS-free bagasse food packaging or developing a customized molded fiber foodservice program for North America, contact Grizzlies to discuss samples, specifications, OEM/ODM development and bulk procurement requirements.