Office buyers looking to portion out snacks
For meetings or shared snack supplies, you’ll want to know how many bags you can hand out without having to open a large pack each time.
Which pack works best for you?
Teams with different preferences
If your colleagues don’t all want the same flavour, a variety box can be a good option. Check which flavours and snack types it contains, though: a variety pack won’t necessarily contain only crisps.
Buyers planning regular snack breaks
If you restock regularly, the total weight, number of individual bags and contents of each bag are more useful for planning your supplies than the size of the box alone.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how the crisps will be served: in a sealed bag for each person, or shared from a larger pack. Then work out how much variety you need and check what the pack actually contains.
Multipacks
Best for: Handing out individual bags at a meeting or from shared office supplies.
Consider: A variety box gives you a choice of options, but may contain other savoury snacks as well as crisps.
Large bag
Best for: A small team snacking together and portioning out the contents themselves.
Consider: The portions aren’t individually wrapped, so think about how you’ll share and store an opened bag.
Crisp tube
Best for: A smaller team looking for a tube that can be used over several snack breaks.
Consider: Check whether the tube can be resealed and how much you want to serve at a time.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Handing out portions | Count the individual bags and check the weight of each one. | When handing out snacks at a meeting, I want to know in advance how many individual snack portions the box provides. Around 42% of consumers put portioning first. |
| Planning supplies | Compare the total weight with the number of bags and the amount you actually want to use. | For regular office snack breaks, I want to choose a pack that suits how it will be used, without leaving lots of opened packs to go stale. For around 33% of consumers, planning supplies is the main priority. |
| Variety across the team | Check the mix of flavours and snack types, and look at the product information for each option. | If colleagues have different preferences, I don’t want to offer just one type. Around 25% of consumers put variety first. |
Common mistakes
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Comparing only the number of bags
Two boxes with the same number of bags can differ in total weight and the amount in each bag. So the number of bags doesn’t tell you how many crisps you’ll be handing out at each snack break.
Compare both the number of individual packs and the weight of each one before planning your office supplies.
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Assuming every variety pack contains the same crisps
According to Jumbo, Lay’s Party Mix contains bags of paprika and ready salted crisps, as well as Bugles Nacho Cheese. The product types and ingredients can vary from one bag to another in a box like this.
Read the contents list and check the label on each option before offering the mix to colleagues, especially if anyone has allergies.
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Taking online product information as definitive
Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change when products are updated.
Check the current packaging when your order arrives, even if you’ve ordered the same variety pack before.
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Choosing a large bag without a sharing plan
A large bag doesn’t provide a set portion for each colleague. Once it’s open, you’ll need to decide how to share the contents and what to do with any leftovers.
Choose a large bag when sharing suits your snack break. Opt for multipacks if you want to set out an individual portion for each person in advance.
Brands to consider
Lay’s
Jumbo lists options including a Party Mix with 15 multipack bags and a Celebration Box with 30 packs. The right box for you depends on how many snack breaks you’re catering for and what each option contains.
- According to Jumbo, Party Mix contains individual bags with a variety of flavours and snack types.
- A variety box won’t necessarily contain only crisps, so check what each type includes.
Pringles
Jumbo lists 165 g Pringles tubes in flavours including Original, Paprika and Sour Cream & Onion. A tube is a different way to share snacks from a box of individual portions.
- The flavours listed let you choose a taste in the same tube size.
- Check the label for each flavour and decide how much to serve from the tube at each snack break.
Smiths
Jumbo lists Smiths Sticks in paprika and barbecue flavours, both in 100 g packs. These are sticks, not regular crisps in individual bags.
- The options listed offer a different shape and two flavour choices.
- A 100 g pack doesn’t provide a set number of individual portions.
Snack Day
Lidl describes Snack Day as its own brand of various savoury snacks. Choose from the range based on the specific product and packaging, not the brand name alone.
- The range includes different types of crisps and other savoury snacks.
- Check the number of portions, contents and label for each product individually.
Multipacks on Joybuy
These products are boxes or variety packs for individual snack breaks at the office. Check each box to see whether it contains only crisps and how many individual packs you can hand out.
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Lay’s Cheetos Doritos Mega Box, 20 pieces
A good option for office supplies when you want to hand out individual snacks. The title states that it contains 20 pieces and names Lay’s, Cheetos and Doritos; bear in mind that this isn’t a box of crisps alone. Check the labels for each type before serving the mix.
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Croky Sharing Mix, 180 g
A variety pack to consider if you want to offer a choice at a shared snack break. The product title states a total weight of 180 g. Check the packaging to see how many individual portions it contains and what each option includes.
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Lay’s Fun Mix Box, 15 pieces
For a shared office snack break where individual portions and variety matter. The box is sold as a mix of 15 pieces. Check what snack each option contains and read the latest ingredients and allergen information.
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Lay’s Doritos Chill Box, 12 pieces
A box for handing out individual snacks to a group. The product title states that it contains 12 pieces and names Lay’s and Doritos. Check how the contents are divided and read the labels for each option before deciding what to offer your team.
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Lay’s Family Box, 15 pieces
For office supplies when you want to be able to hand out individual snacks. The box is sold as 15 pieces. Check which products it contains and how many grams are in each one; don’t assume a mixed box contains only crisps.
Frequently asked questions
Which crisp pack is best for a meeting?
Multipacks are a good choice if you want to set out an individual snack for each person in advance. Compare the number of bags and the amount in each one. For a variety box, also check whether it contains savoury snacks other than crisps.
How do I compare two boxes of multipacks?
Compare the total weight, number of bags and weight per bag. Also check the mix of flavours and snack types: two boxes with the same number of pieces don’t necessarily contain the same things.
Where can I find allergen information for a variety box?
Check the label on each individually wrapped option in the box. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must be shown on the label of prepacked products. Read the current packaging before offering snacks to colleagues.
Can I use average nutritional values for all the bags?
No. Use the nutritional information on the packaging of the option you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 215 kcal and 0,53 g of salt for an average 40 g bowl of crisps, but those general figures don’t necessarily reflect the contents of every bag in a variety pack.