Chips Cup Portion Sizes: Build a Small-to-Large Ladder
To set chips cup portion sizes, pick one container per size on your menu: the Chips Box Small, Chips Box Medium and Chips Box Large give you a three-step ladder, and the Chip Carton Large adds a slimmer large option. Then fill each box with your own chips, weigh what fits, and write that weight on your prep sheet so every serve matches the box.
Key takeaways
- Packery's chips boxes come in three sizes: Small (83x130x125mm), Medium (83x132x140mm) and Large (87x133x170mm), all brown cardboard in cartons of 1000.
- The Chip Carton Large (94x47x150mm) is a brown cardboard carton sold in cartons of 250, useful as a slimmer large serve or a fourth step.
- The box sets what the customer sees, but your chips set the real portion. Test each box with your own cut and cooking method before you lock in menu prices.
- Per-item prices run from $0.10 each for the small box to $0.13 each for the large box, so you can match packaging cost to each menu price.
- All four chip containers can be custom printed with your logo.
What is a chips cup portion ladder?
A portion ladder is a set of containers that steps up in size, with one box assigned to each menu size. Customers can see the difference between small, medium and large at the counter, and staff fill to the box instead of guessing.
Packery's chips boxes share a similar footprint and step up mainly in height. The Serving Container – Chips Box Small (Carton of 1000) is 83x130x125mm, the Serving Container – Chips Box Medium (Carton of 1000) is 83x132x140mm and the Serving Container – Chips Box Large (Carton of 1000) is 87x133x170mm. Because the base stays close to the same, the boxes line up neatly in a chip station and the size difference shows mostly in how tall the serve stands.
Which chip containers fit each step?
Use the small box for kids' meals, sides with a burger and snack serves; the medium box for a standard side or a solo meal; and the large box for sharing serves. The Chip Carton Large sits alongside them as a slimmer, taller option.
| Product | Size | Material | Carton qty | Carton price | Price per item |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chips Box Small | 83x130x125mm | Cardboard, brown | 1000 | $98.31 | $0.10 |
| Chips Box Medium | 83x132x140mm | Cardboard, brown | 1000 | $112.56 | $0.11 |
| Chips Box Large | 87x133x170mm | Cardboard, brown | 1000 | $131.08 | $0.13 |
| Chip Carton Large | 94x47x150mm | Cardboard, brown | 250 | $37.17 | $0.15 |
| Medium Tray White Cardboard No.3 | 140x85x55mm | Cardboard, white | 500 | $51.41 | $0.10 |
| Square Takeaway Tray 9" | 228.6x228.6x44mm | Sugarcane, white | 200 | $72.45 | $0.36 |
The Serving Container – Chip Carton Large (Carton of 250) is narrower than the chips boxes, which suits a walk-around serve at a market stall or event. Its carton of 250 also suits a venue that wants to trial a large size before committing to a full carton of 1000.
How do I test how much each box holds?
Fill each box with your own cooked chips, weigh the contents and record the result. Do it during a normal service with your usual fryer, cut and salt, because chip shape changes how much fits.
A simple method:
1. Cook a normal batch. Use the same chips, oil temperature and cook time you use on a busy night.
2. Fill each box the way staff will. Decide whether the serve is level with the rim or heaped above it, and stick to that rule for every size.
3. Weigh the filled box, then the empty box. The difference is the chip weight for that size. Repeat a few times and take a middle figure.
4. Check the steps feel fair. A customer paying for a large should see a clear jump from the medium. If two sizes look too close, change the fill rule or swap one box out, for example using the Chip Carton Large as your large.
5. Price from the weight. Cost each serve from the chip weight plus the per-item price of its box, then set the menu price.
6. Write it down. Put the weight and fill rule for each size on the prep sheet next to the fryer so new staff serve the same amount.
Re-run the test whenever you change chip supplier or cut. Shoestring chips, thick-cut chips and wedges all sit differently in the same box.
Should every size use the same style of container?
Usually yes. Matching brown cardboard boxes make the ladder easy to read and keep your counter looking consistent. Mix styles only when a serve needs something the boxes cannot do.
Chips eaten at a table can sit better in a tray. The No.3 Packaging – White Medium Tray Cardboard (Carton of 500) is a white cardboard tray at 140x85x55mm, which suits a side of chips eaten at a table with a dip alongside. For chips plated with a main meal, the Takeaway Container – Square Tray 9" (Carton of 200) is a white sugarcane tray at 228.6x228.6x44mm. If you are still choosing between cups, boxes and trays by size and price, our chip cups, chips boxes and trays guide covers the wider range.
Which one should I buy?
Match the ladder to how you sell chips:
- Fish and chip shops and takeaways: run all three chips boxes so each menu size has its own container: the Chips Box Small, Chips Box Medium and Serving Container – Chips Box Large (Carton of 1000). All three come in cartons of 1000.
- Burger bars and cafés with chips as a side: start with the Serving Container – Chips Box Small (Carton of 1000) for meal-deal sides and the Serving Container – Chips Box Medium (Carton of 1000) for a standalone serve. Add the large box if sharing serves sell.
- Food trucks and market stalls: pair the Chips Box Small with the Serving Container – Chip Carton Large (Carton of 250) for a two-step menu. The carton of 250 is a smaller stock commitment when storage space is tight.
- Pubs and venues with table service: use the No.3 Packaging – White Medium Tray Cardboard (Carton of 500) for chips eaten at the table, and the chips boxes for takeaway serves.
- Branded menus: all four chip containers can be custom printed with your logo, so the size ladder also carries your name. See custom printing for details.
For more on keeping chips hot between fryer and customer, see our hot chip cups guide. You can also browse the full range of serving containers.
How does ordering work?
There is no minimum order, so you can buy one carton of each size to run your portion test before ordering more. Everything is sold by the carton, and each product page shows the carton price and price per item.
Delivery is metro $35 flat, free on orders over $750; regional $75 flat, free over $1,000. Delivery takes 3–5 business days to capital cities and 4–6 business days regional. All orders are prepaid online and prices include GST. Unopened full cartons can be returned within 14 days of delivery (customer pays return freight), and damaged or faulty items are replaced or refunded free. When you know your sizes, add them in one go through quick order.
Setting up or restocking your packaging?
Send us your list for a trade quote, or price it yourself in the cost calculator.
No minimum order · free delivery over $750 (metro) / $1000 (regional) · 14-day returns · Delivery details
Related guides
Ready to order in bulk?
Shop All Products →
