In the competitive world of foodservice, packaging plays a vital role in both presentation and brand identity. Custom paper chicken buckets offer more than just a container—it’s a powerful tool for marketing, portion control, and sustainability. Whether you're a fast-food operator, caterer, or event vendor, choosing the right chicken bucket size, material, and print design can elevate the customer experience while reinforcing your brand. This guide explores the key considerations when selecting a custom paper chicken bucket, from sizes and coatings to printing and sourcing.
Standard Custom Paper Chicken Bucket Sizes
Custom paper chicken buckets come in a variety of sizes to suit different portion needs, from individual meals to party-size servings. The most common sizes include:
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32 oz (≈946 ml): Ideal for small snack portions like popcorn chicken, nuggets, or wings.
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64 oz (≈1.9 L): Suitable for 6–8 chicken pieces; often used for single or duo meals.
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85 oz (≈2.5 L): Great for small family portions, typically fitting 8–10 pieces.
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130 oz (≈3.8 L): A standard family-size bucket, accommodating 12–16 pieces depending on cut size.
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170 oz (≈5.0 L): Designed for large group servings or party orders, holding up to 24 pieces.
Choosing the Best Chicken Bucket Size for Your Restaurant or Takeout
Manufacturers often offer short and regular-height buckets within the same ounce category. Shorter buckets emphasize width for visual impact and easy access, while taller designs provide better heat retention and stackability. Choosing the right volume-to-portion match helps foodservice businesses optimize food cost and portion control.

Materials & Coatings for Custom Paper Chicken Bucket
Custom paper chicken buckets are typically made from food-grade paperboard, available in two finishes:
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Kraft paperboard: Unbleached, brown base that aligns with eco-friendly branding.
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White (bleached) paperboard: Offers a bright surface for full-color printing.
To enhance durability and grease resistance, buckets are coated with:
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PE (Polyethylene): Standard waterproof barrier for hot, oily foods.
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Wax coating: Traditional grease barrier, though less common in modern production.
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PLA (Polylactic Acid): A plant-based, biodegradable alternative that supports compostable packaging initiatives.

Printing & Branding Chicken Bucket
Custom paper chicken buckets offer full customization to reflect your brand’s identity. Available printing methods include:
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Offset printing (CMYK): Ideal for large runs with vibrant, photo-quality results.
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Digital printing: Cost-effective for lower quantities or rapid turnaround needs.
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Spot color or Pantone printing: Used when brand color consistency is critical.
Design areas can cover the entire surface of the bucket, including wraparound artwork, bold logos, seasonal messages, and QR codes for promotions. High-resolution printing ensures that each bucket doubles as a powerful marketing tool from takeout counter to social media share.
Use Cases & Serving Scenarios
Custom paper chicken buckets are widely used across various F&B sectors, including:
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Fast-food chains and fried chicken restaurants that rely on consistent branding and portion control.
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Take-out and delivery packaging, where heat retention, leak resistance, and sturdy handling are critical.
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Catering services and event vendors serving bulk quantities for parties or festivals.
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Food trucks and pop-up kitchens, which benefit from stackable, lightweight buckets that showcase branding on the go.
Additionally, with rising consumer demand for sustainable practices, more brands are choosing compostable buckets to align with eco-friendly messaging. PLA-lined kraft buckets, recyclable materials, and clean, minimal designs reinforce green values while enhancing perceived product quality.
Where to Buy Custom Paper Chicken Bucket
If you're looking for high-quality, custom paper chicken bucket packaging tailored to your brand and values, KimEcopak is your trusted supplier in North America.
At KimEcopak, we offer:
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Design support to help bring your vision to life, from concept to production.
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Low MOQs starting at 10,000 units, ideal for growing food businesses and franchises.
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Flexible options in PE or PLA coatings, kraft or white paperboard.
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Compostable packaging solutions that align with eco-conscious goals.
Our team works closely with F&B entrepreneurs, restaurant chains, ghost kitchens, and food trucks to deliver packaging that looks great, performs reliably, and supports a sustainable future.
Choose KimEcopak to elevate your brand through smart, eco-friendly packaging your customers will remember.
Ready to make your fried chicken brand stand out?
Request a custom quote for paper chicken buckets with your logo. We'll respond within 24 hours with tailored pricing and options.

Conclusion
A well-designed custom paper chicken bucket helps your business deliver memorable meals, maintain food quality, and stand out in a crowded market. By choosing the right size, sustainable materials, and custom branding, you ensure your packaging works as hard as your product. For businesses seeking eco-friendly, food-safe, and beautifully printed chicken buckets, KimEcopak provides flexible, reliable solutions with low MOQs and expert design support. Invest in packaging that serves your food and your brand better.
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LEARN MORE about Kim Vu, sharing on the challenges she faced as a former restaurant owner, and how she overcame them to create KimEcopak HERE!