A growing number of foodservice operations are recognizing that equipment and packaging need to be simple and inclusive. Recent research shows complicated packaging frustrates consumers and can pose real barriers, especially for those with dexterity issues. For distributors, restaurant groups and manufacturers, design that prioritizes accessibility means reaching a wider audience while reducing friction in kitchens, front-of-house, and delivery.
New data from the Arthritis Foundation and Stable Kernel shows 90% of consumers often struggle to open packaging, and 70% of those with arthritis struggle with twisting or gripping products. Among general users, 65% report packaging has caused pain or injury, while the rate climbs to 89% among those with arthritis. In foodservice settings, slow unpacking or mishandling equipment can cause delays or injuries, especially under busy service conditions.
Consumers Reward User-friendly Design
Most buyers say ease of use matters. Eighty‑six percent of consumers with arthritis and 76% of those without rank user-friendly packaging as important when purchasing. Over half of all consumers say they’ll pay more or switch brands for easier‑to‑use products. For restaurant operators and distributors, investing in accessible packaging whether for single‑serve condiments or bulk food storage means lower waste, fewer complaints, and more reliable operations.
The Business Case For Certification & Design Guidance
Products carrying the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use seal secure consumer trust: 59% of arthritis consumers and 50% of general consumers say they bought a product because it carried that seal. Among those with arthritis, 66% say the seal influences purchase decisions. For B2B buyers and professional purchasers, certification signals a brand commitment to accessibility, reducing the risk of post‑purchase issues and returns.
The Arthritis Foundation, in partnership with Target, has released Ease‑of‑Use Design Guides for engineers and product designers covering rigid packaging, sealed trays, pouches, bottles, and boxes. The guides recommend considering force required to operate, grip spans, weight, and removing sharp edges—factors directly applicable to foodservice items like takeout containers or equipment handles. The Ease of Use certification involves lab and human‑factor testing by specialized engineers. Incorporating these protocols early avoids costly redesigns and ensures packaging is both production‑ready and usable.
A Proactive Design Strategy Supports Efficiency And Inclusivity
Accessibility extends beyond compliance or disability accommodation. As Deb Gokie of the Arthritis Foundation notes, inclusive design benefits all users, not just those with arthritis. As the arthritis population and chronic pain prevalence increase nearly 60 million in the U.S. alone, with projected growth into 2030 accessible design becomes a baseline requirement.
For foodservice operators, inclusive packaging and products yield tangible returns: fewer errors, less waste, fewer injuries, faster service, and higher customer satisfaction. Brands and distributors that embed inclusive design and seek certification stand to gain loyalty in commercial kitchens and institutional clients.
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Our Mobile App Is Now Live on iOS and Android
Our mobile app is now available on the App Store and on Google Play. You can browse and search more than 19,000 Restaurantware products, see what is new, and place an order from your phone.
September 25, 2026
Most of the people we supply are not sitting at a desk. Restaurant owners are on the floor, chefs are on the line, caterers are at a venue, and cafe and hotel teams are moving between service and setup. Ordering usually waits for a quiet moment at a computer, and in foodservice those moments are hard to come by. Our mobile app puts the catalog where you already are.
What You Can Do in Our Mobile App
Our mobile app holds more than 19,000 products, and you can browse the catalog or search for exactly what you need. Search suits the moments when you already know the item. Browsing suits the moments when you are still working out what a new menu, event or service format is going to require.
New Arrivals has its own place in the app, so the products we have added most recently are easy to find. If you are planning a seasonal menu or a new format, it is a good first screen to check.
When you have found what you need, add it to your cart and check out without leaving the app.
The Account area keeps your account information, your orders and your addresses together in one place, so the details you need while placing an order are close at hand.
In practice, that can look different for every operation. A restaurant might build an order for take-out containers between lunch and dinner service. A caterer might confirm serveware for an event from the venue itself. A bar manager might look through glassware before a menu change. A cafe or hotel team might add cups and napkins to an order between shifts. Our mobile app is built to fit around those moments rather than ask you to step away from them.
Free Shipping on App Orders of $100 or More
Orders of $100 or more placed in our mobile app ship free with standard ground shipping.
New Arrivals and a Redesigned Homepage
Our mobile app is one part of a larger update. New products are arriving across the catalog, and restaurantware.com has a redesigned homepage organized around new categories.
A few categories are a good place to see what has changed. If you are building or refreshing a take-out program, start with the take out containers and to go boxes collection, which covers containers for hot, cold and sauced dishes along with the boxes that carry them. Caterers working off-site often begin with disposable serving and catering trays, since the tray is usually the first decision in how a buffet or drop-off order is laid out. Our take-out and catering ranges include compostable, BPI-certified and Green Hero Foundation-certified products to help you meet your sustainability goals. For front of house, the glassware collection covers the shapes a bar or dining room relies on, from rocks and highball glasses to wine and coupe styles.
Whether you start on restaurantware.com or in our mobile app, New Arrivals is the place to see what has been added since your last order. If you are planning around a new season, an event calendar or a menu change, it is worth checking before you finalize an order, so the newest options are in front of you while you are still deciding what to stock and how much of it you need.
Download Our Mobile App
Our mobile app is available now for iOS and Android.
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Thank you for ordering with us. We built our mobile app for the operators we work with every day, and we are glad to bring the catalog a little closer to where the work happens.
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