The Trend of Using Paper Cups in the F&B Industry: Benefits and Solutions

The trend of using paper cups in the F&B (Food & Beverage) industry is not just a temporary trend but has become a green revolution, reshaping the entire appearance of the modern food and beverage industry, from large coffee chains to small milk tea shops. This is a smart strategy that helps brands build a sustainable image, enhance customer experience and optimize business efficiency in an amazing way.

Vietnam Paper Cups offers a comprehensive solution that will help you not only keep up with, but also lead this transformation. Join us to discover how disposable paper cups can become a powerful marketing weapon, a loyalty builder and a statement of your brand’s social responsibility, and learn more about our paper packaging and takeaway paper cups solutions.

A Comprehensive Exploration of Paper Cup Usage Trends in the F&B Industry: The Ultimate Guide for Business Owners 2025

The Undercurrent Called Paper Cups Is Reshaping Vietnam's F&B Industry

Have you noticed? Your customers—especially Millennials and Gen Z—are increasingly interested in the stories behind the products they consume. They're not just buying a cup of coffee; they’re buying an experience, a lifestyle value, a shared set of ideals. And the cup you hand them is the first and most tangible touchpoint in that journey. In this context, the trend of using paper cups in the F&B industry has risen stronger than ever—not just as an option, but as a market necessity.

Imagine this: on a beautiful morning, a customer visits your café and orders a hot Americano. Instead of receiving a flimsy plastic cup, they are handed a sturdy paper cup, thoughtfully designed with your brand’s logo printed clearly. The warmth radiates gently through the cup—without burning their hand—accompanied by a subtle message about environmental responsibility. Instantly, your brand's image is elevated in the customer’s mind. This isn’t just a drink—it’s a statement.

According to a Q1 2025 report by Decision Lab, up to 78% of Vietnamese consumers in urban areas say they are willing to prioritize—and even pay more for—products from F&B brands that use environmentally friendly packaging. This figure has increased by 15% compared to the same period in 2024, signaling a dramatic shift in consumer mindset. They are actively searching for cafés that use paper cups, comparing and evaluating brands based on their sustainability commitments. This is the undercurrent you must catch—or risk being left behind.

At Ly Giấy Việt Nam, we don’t just see paper cups. We see an opportunity—for you to tell your brand’s story, to connect more deeply with your customers, and to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. This article is more than just information; it’s a roadmap, a crash course equipping you with everything you need—from consumer psychology, economic benefits, to step-by-step guidance on how to implement a paper cup solution that is both efficient and effective for your business. Let’s turn the page of this guide together—and transform this trend into your exclusive competitive advantage.

Why Paper Cups Are The Golden Key To Opening The Door To Success For Your F&B Business?

Having realized the undeniable power of this trend, the next question that every wise businessman asks is: Specifically, what outstanding benefits do paper cups bring compared to other solutions? How does it impact business operations, marketing and profits? We will analyze more deeply together, peeling off each layer of value that this paper packaging solution brings, based on the most updated data and research as of June 2025.

Branding and Marketing Push: Turn Every Cup Into a Silent Ambassador

In the modern F&B world, the battle is not only about the quality of the drinks but also about building a brand with a story, personality and the ability to connect emotionally with customers. Paper cups are an extremely cost-effective physical marketing tool, a mobile canvas for you to unleash your creativity and spread your message.

1. Elevate Brand Class:

Compare the experience of holding a thin, easily deformed plastic cup with a sturdy, naturally grained kraft paper cup, or a pristine white paper cup with a smooth coating. The difference is worlds apart. Paper cups immediately create a sense of premium, neatness and reliability. Research by Nielsen Vietnam in late 2024 showed that 65% of consumers associate brands using paper cups with attributes such as professionalism, concern for customer health and responsibility. When Katinat or The Coffee House decided to switch to paper cups for take-away products, they were not simply changing the packaging, they were implementing a brand repositioning strategy, aiming for a more modern, civilized and high-end image.

2. Effective Guerrilla Marketing Tools:

Each paper cup with your logo is a mobile billboard. Customers take your coffee cup everywhere: to the office, walking down the street, getting on the bus, attending a meeting. Your logo and message will reach hundreds, even thousands of people in a natural and non-obtrusive way.

• Case study: A small coffee chain in Da Nang launched a campaign to print different inspirational quotes on each batch of paper cups. This created curiosity, encouraging customers to collect and take photos to post on social media with the shop’s hashtag. The result: in 3 months, brand mentions on Instagram increased by 300% without spending a single penny on advertising. This is the power of turning products into content.
• Figures: According to the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA), a branded item used daily like a coffee cup can generate over 3,000 impressions over its lifetime. With a cost of just a few thousand dollars for a quality printed paper cup, this is one of the advertising channels with the highest ROI (Return on Investment).

3. Building a Sustainable Brand Story (Green Marketing):

This is the core and most strategic benefit. The trend of using paper cups in the F&B industry is closely linked to the concept of sustainable development. When you use paper cups, especially FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper cups, you are sending a strong message: We care about this planet.

• Connect with customer values: The new generation of customers doesn’t just buy products, they support brands that share their values. Your choice of paper cups is a tangible, visible action that demonstrates your commitment. This builds a deep emotional connection and loyalty that goes beyond a simple purchase relationship.
• Evidence from around the world: Starbucks has pledged to eliminate single-use plastic cups by 2025 and is testing smart reusable paper cup models. This not only helps them comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations in Europe and North America, but also creates a huge wave of positive media coverage, reinforcing their position as a responsible global brand.

By investing in paper cups, you are not just buying a beverage container. You are investing in your business's greatest intangible asset: your brand. A well-designed paper cup will tell your story, attract the right customers and turn them into loyal fans. At lygiayvietnam.vn, we have a team of experts ready to advise you to create paper cup designs that are not only beautiful but also contain the soul of your brand.

Operational and Safety Benefits: Optimizing Processes, Protecting Customers

In addition to marketing values, switching to paper cups also brings many practical benefits in operations and ensures food safety and hygiene, vital factors for an F&B business.

1. Absolutely Safe For Consumer Health:

This is an undeniable advantage. High-quality paper cups are made from virgin pulp, and do not contain toxic chemicals such as BPA (Bisphenol A) or Phthalates, which are often found in some low-quality recycled plastics.

• For hot drinks: Regular plastic cups when holding hot drinks above 60 degrees Celsius are at risk of releasing microplastics and chemicals into the drink, causing long-term health effects. Specialized paper cups for hot drinks, with food-safe PE (Polyethylene) or PLA (Polylactic Acid) coating, are designed to withstand high temperatures without deformation or contamination with toxic substances. This is a health commitment that you make to your customers.
• Certifications and standards: Reputable suppliers like Ly Giay Viet Nam always ensure that their products meet domestic (such as the Ministry of Health) and international food safety and hygiene standards, bringing absolute peace of mind to both sellers and buyers.

2. Optimizing Customer Experience (Take-away & Delivery):

In the era of food delivery apps, take-away and delivery experiences greatly determine customer satisfaction.

• Better heat retention: Paper cups, with their multi-layered structure and natural insulation, retain the temperature of both hot and cold beverages better than thin plastic cups. Whether a cup of coffee reaches your customer still warm or a glass of fruit tea still cold makes a big difference.
• Sturdy and safe to transport: Paper cups have more rigidity and stable shape, minimizing the risk of dents, spills, and spills during transport. This helps reduce the rate of complaints, refunds, and increases positive reviews on delivery platforms.

3.Streamline Operation Process:

• Easy to store and use: Paper cups can be stacked neatly, saving storage space.
• Suitable for all types of lids: The accompanying product ecosystem such as flat lids, dome lids, hot lids with straw holes... is very diverse, helping you easily choose the right solution for each type of beverage.

Choosing paper cups is not only a visual decision, but also a smart choice in terms of operation, helping you improve service quality, protect customers and optimize daily workflows.

 Envisioning a Booming Future - When Paper Cups Become Your Secret Weapon

Now, let’s put aside the theories and figures. Let’s paint a vivid picture of your own business’s future with Ly Giay Viet Nam, a future where the decision to switch to paper cups has created unexpected breakthrough results. This is not a distant vision, this is the success story of many partners who have accompanied us.

Successful Case Study: From Small Coffee Shop to Popular Chain Store

Let's listen to the story of "Gong Coffee", a small coffee shop that started in Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City. At first, they were like many other shops, using plastic cups to save costs. Revenue was stable but there was no breakthrough, the brand was pale among hundreds of competitors.

Challenges:

• The brand lacks a focal point, making it difficult to compete with large chains.
• Customers are mainly walk-in customers, with low return rates.
• Social media marketing is expensive but not very effective

Solution from Vietnamese Paper Cups: We sat down with Gong Coffee owners, not as a seller, but as a strategic partner. Together we outlined a rebranding plan:

1. New Identity Design: Instead of just printing the logo, we proposed a minimalist, luxurious design concept. Each cup size (12oz, 16oz) will have a different small story about the origin of the coffee beans used by the shop.
2. Choose the right cup type: Based on the menu, we recommend using double-sided PE-coated paper cups for cold drinks, emphasizing the 100% environmental friendliness factor.
3. Integrated communication strategy: Encourage customers to check-in with the "storytelling" cup to receive a discount on their next purchase.

Results after 6 months - June 2025 update:

• 80% increase in new customers: The beautiful, inspiring cups became a phenomenon on Instagram and TikTok in the region. Customers came to the shop not only to drink coffee but also to "own" the unique cup.
• 45% increase in customer return rate: Customers felt like they were part of the brand story, they appreciated the careful investment of the shop.
• 60% growth in revenue: Although the cost of each paper cup is about 800-1200 VND higher than plastic cups, the growth in the number of orders and brand value compensated and brought higher net profit.
• Opened 2 new branches: From a small shop, Gong Coffee has enough potential and confidence to expand.

The story of Gong Coffee is not a miracle.
It’s the result of a strategic decision: investing in customer experience and brand value through a seemingly simple tool — the paper cup. And you, too, can be the author of the next success story.

Just take a look at major chains like Highland Coffee, Phúc Long, Katinat, and Maycha. Alongside plastic cups, they always create a strong impression with uniquely designed paper cups — fresh, creative, and eye-catching. Sometimes, customers don’t just order a drink — they admire the cup design and even snap a photo with it.

Do you see your brand’s potential in that story?
Do you have the drive to create a similar breakthrough for your business?
Don’t stop at just reading — turn inspiration into action.

See more: https://lygiayvietnam.vn/product/all.html

Take a minute to explore custom paper cup solutions for your brand at Ly Giấy Việt Nam. Discover how we can help you tell your unique story, attract customers, and stand out in the market.
One click could be the first step in writing the next successful chapter for your brand.

A-Z Guide: How to Choose and Optimize Paper Cup Usage for Your Business

To turn ambition into reality, you need a clear roadmap. Ly Giấy Việt Nam offers a step-by-step process to help you confidently implement a professional and effective paper cup solution. This is practical, actionable knowledge you can apply immediately.

Step 1: Analyze Your Needs and Define Your Objectives

Before sourcing wholesale paper cups for your F&B business, start by answering these key questions:

• What’s on your drink menu? Do you mainly serve hot beverages (coffee, hot tea) or cold drinks (bubble tea, juice)? What’s the ratio? This determines the type of cups you’ll need (hot cups, cold cups) and the quantities for each.

• What are your most common cup sizes? What volumes do your S, M, and L sizes correspond to (in oz/ml)? Common sizes include 12oz (~360ml), 16oz (~500ml), and 22oz (~700ml).

• What is your budget? Decide how much you can afford to spend per cup. Remember, this is not just an operational cost—it’s a branding and marketing investment.

• What is your objective? Do you aim to increase brand recognition, highlight eco-friendliness, or create a premium product experience? Your goal will guide your cup design and material choices.

Step 2: Understand the Types of Paper Cups – Comparison Between PLA and PE Paper Cups

This is essential technical knowledge to help you make an informed decision. Basically, paper cups are coated with a waterproof lining on the inside. This lining plays a crucial role in determining both the functionality and the cost of the cup.

Step 3: Choose the Appropriate Paper Weight (GSM)

GSM (Grams per Square Meter) indicates the thickness and stiffness of the paper. The higher the GSM, the sturdier and more premium the cup feels.

• 190 - 210 GSM: Thin paper, commonly used for small-sized cups (6oz - 9oz), suitable for sampling events or promotions.

• 230 - 260 GSM: The most popular choice for coffee and milk tea shops (typically for 12oz and 16oz cups). Offers a good balance between rigidity and cost.

• 280 - 320 GSM: Thick and premium. Often used for double-layer cups or large sizes (22oz), giving a sturdy and high-end feel.

Step 4: Custom Printed Paper Cup Process – Turn Ideas into Reality

This is the standard process when working with a professional supplier like Ly Giấy Việt Nam:

1. Consultation & Quotation: Send us your request (cup type, size, quantity, design idea). We’ll provide expert advice and a detailed quotation within 24 hours.

2. Design: Our design team will bring your ideas to life with 2D and 3D mockups. You can revise the design until you are completely satisfied.

3. Contract Signing & Deposit: Both parties sign a contract to secure mutual rights. You make a deposit (typically 50% of the total order value).

4. Mass Production: We manufacture the cups using modern technology, ensuring consistent quality and sharp print colors. (You will approve the color proof before mass printing.)

5. Quality Check (QC) & Delivery: Every product goes through a strict quality control process before being carefully packed and delivered to your location.

6. Final Payment & After-Sales Support: Once you inspect and accept the order, you complete the remaining payment. We’re always here to support you with any arising issues.

Mastering this knowledge empowers you to become a smart buyer—proactive in working with suppliers and capable of choosing the most optimal and suitable solution for your brand’s vision and budget.

A Small Decision – A Giant Leap Forward
Switching to paper cups is not a cost—it's one of the smartest and most profitable investments you can make in 2025.

• Invest in your brand image.

• Invest in customer loyalty.

• Invest in sustainable growth for your business.

• Invest in your own future.

Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Don’t let your brand fall behind in this fiercely competitive race. Be a leader. Be a trendsetter.

The chance to reposition your brand and boost your revenue is right in front of you.

Start building a strong, responsible, and beloved F&B brand with Ly Giấy Việt Nam—today!