14 Fast Food Packaging from the Past That Brings Back Memories
These throwback fast food wrappers, boxes, and cups will take you straight back to the drive-thrus of the past.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
Fast food has always been about more than just the food; it’s the colors, the logos, and yes, the packaging. If you ever grabbed a paper-wrapped burger or sipped soda, these designs probably stuck in your memory. Each one tells a little story about how branding used to look, feel, and even smell.
1. McDonald’s Styrofoam Clamshells
McDonald’s on Wikimedia Commons
These pastel-colored boxes were the Big Mac’s iconic home for years. The foam kept the burger warm, but today, it mostly reminds people of Saturday lunch runs in the ’80s. They were phased out, but the clamshell lives rent-free in many memories.
2. Taco Bell’s Neon Southwestern Vibes
U.S. Consulate General Perth on Pexels
The teal, orange, and purple color scheme screamed ‘90s and made every soft taco wrapper feel like a party. Their cup designs were wild too, like something straight off a Saved by the Bell set. Just holding one made your combo taste cooler.
3. Burger King’s “Have It Your Way” Wrappers
Håkan Dahlström from Malmö, Sweden on Wikimedia Commons
Long before rebrands, Burger King’s wrappers had that bold, red-and-brown print that felt iconic. It matched the vibe of their flame-grilled pitch and was always slightly greasy, in a good way.
4. Wendy’s Striped Cups and Old Logo
Wendy’s on Wikimedia Commons
That smiling, freckled face on a red-striped cup felt like home. The packaging leaned hard into the “old-fashioned” vibe, and you just knew there was a Frosty waiting.
5. Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizza Boxes
Unknown author on Pexels
These mini boxes were a prize all their own, especially after a Book It! reward. The bold red font and checkered patterns made that tiny pizza feel like a big deal.
6. Arby’s Hat Logo on Wax Paper Wraps
Arby’s on Wikimedia Commons
The paper had that old-timey deli look and often left a curl of roast beef juice behind. That 10-gallon hat logo was hard to miss and felt oddly upscale.
7. Hardee’s Star-Stamped Paper Bags
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
The bags were nothing fancy, but that smiling star made the meal feel like a treat. Every crinkle and grease spot on the bag felt part of the experience.
8. KFC’s Red Striped Buckets
Unknown author on Wikimedia Commons
The buckets were big enough to serve a family or fuel a sleepover. That Colonel Sanders portrait made it feel official, like chicken royalty.
9. Dairy Queen’s Blue Paper Hot Dog Sleeves
International Dairy Queen on Wikimedia Commons
These sleeves were nothing fancy, but they were oddly memorable. The light blue paper cradled chili dogs that always felt like summer.
10. Carl’s Jr. Foil-Wrapped Burgers
™/®CKE Restaurants Holdings on Wikimedia Commons
The foil trapped heat like a pro, making every bite steamy and satisfying. It also gave your burger a kind of superhero cape — small but mighty.
11. Jack in the Box’s ’90s Graffiti Cups
The original uploader was Alex43223 at English Wikipedia. on Wikimedia Commons
These cups looked like someone had a blast designing them with funky fonts and doodles. Every sip felt like you were part of something rebellious and weirdly fun.
12. Long John Silver’s Fish-Shaped Napkin Packs
No machine-readable author provided. Terence assumed (based on copyright claims). on Wikimedia Commons
Their napkins came in quirky shapes or had sea-themed prints that made kids smile. It was a fast food pirate fantasy, napkins and all.
13. A&W Root Beer Floats in Frosty Mugs
A&W Root Beer on Wikimedia Commons
You couldn’t take the mug home, but you certainly wanted to. The paper floats came in branded plastic or foam cups when you had to get it to-go, but it never felt quite the same.
14. Sonic’s Cherry Limeade Styrofoam Cups
The Library of Congress from Washington, DC, United States on Wikimedia Commons
Big, white cups with bright logos were built to last all afternoon. You’d hear the ice clinking inside for hours, especially during a summer carhop run.