Go-Pak Group has introduced its 2026 festive cup collection for hospitality and coffee operators in the UK and Ireland. The double-wall range combines three seasonal colourways, cable-knit embossing and four formats, from 8oz to 16oz, in a ready-made alternative to bespoke printed cups and separate clutch sleeves. Designed by the manufacturer’s in-house new product development team and made at its own facilities, the collection responds to seasonal demand while helping businesses simplify packaging purchasing and storage. Its material specification also allows for recycling at dedicated facilities, provided cups are not heavily contaminated by food or drink.

Seasonal Demand Meets Cost Control

Festive drinks offer cafés and foodservice businesses a familiar opportunity to refresh menus and presentation during a busy trading period. Research from YouGov indicates that 36% of coffee drinkers are more likely to purchase hot drinks during the festive season, while more than half are willing to pay between £3 and £5 per drink.

Go-Pak’s new collection positions packaging as part of that seasonal offer, using a mixed sleeve of pine green, winterberry red and woollen white cups. The approach gives operators visual variety at the counter without requiring separate orders for multiple designs. For businesses building limited-edition menus around festive lattes and hot chocolates, the cups provide a coordinated presentation without the lead times and costs associated with bespoke print runs.

The launch arrives while cafés and restaurants continue to contend with rising operating costs. The company notes that these businesses were excluded from the Government’s recently announced 15% business rates reduction for pubs, increasing pressure on operators to identify practical efficiencies across everyday purchasing decisions.

Cable Knit Design

The range takes its visual cue from traditional Christmas jumpers, with an embossed cable-knit pattern intended to create a tactile and premium finish. Unlike a flat printed design, the embossing adds texture while contributing to grip, an important consideration for customers carrying hot drinks away from the counter.

Each cup uses double-wall construction to retain heat and keep the exterior comfortable to hold. This removes the need for a separate clutch sleeve, reducing the number of individual components that operators need to buy, store and assemble during service. For high-volume coffee and hospitality environments, a single integrated product can also help keep service routines straightforward during seasonal peaks.

The collection is available in 8oz, 10oz, 12oz and 16oz formats. This gives operators options for espresso-based drinks, standard coffee servings, festive lattes and larger hot chocolates, while retaining one recognisable visual identity across a broader drinks menu.

Material And Recycling Route

Go-Pak has made the cups from food-grade paperboard with a PE lining. The construction supports hot-drink service and insulation requirements, while the company states that the cups can be recycled at dedicated facilities where they are not heavily contaminated with food or drink.

That qualification is central to responsible disposal. Foodservice packaging performs an essential role in hygiene, heat retention and convenience, but its circularity depends on suitable collection and treatment infrastructure, as well as the condition of the used material. Clear information for businesses and consumers can help ensure cups reach appropriate facilities where available.

By combining the double-wall format with seasonal decoration, the range also eliminates the need for an additional sleeve. While the company has not quantified material savings, reducing a separate packaging component can simplify stock handling for operators and offer a more streamlined service format for customers.

Ready Made Festive Packaging

Developed internally and manufactured by Go-Pak, the range is intended as an accessible option for operators that want seasonal branding without managing a bespoke packaging project. The mixed-colour format is particularly suited to businesses seeking an eye-catching counter display while maintaining a consistent cup specification across sites or service periods.

Bethan Edwards, head of foodservice UK & Ireland at Go-Pak Group, said:

“Hospitality operators should not have to choose between carefully controlling costs and creating the festive experience their customers look forward to.

“This range combines insulation, seasonal branding and three distinctive colourways in one ready-made product, removing the need for separate sleeves or investment in bespoke cup designs. It offers operators a simple way to bring Christmas to the counter while keeping their packaging set-up streamlined.”

A Practical Seasonal Option

Go-Pak’s 2026 festive cup collection reflects the value of packaging choices that balance presentation, operational practicality and material considerations. With insulation built into the cup, a choice of four sizes and a coordinated palette of seasonal colours, the offering gives hospitality businesses a straightforward route to creating a festive drinks experience.

For operators planning Christmas menus, the collection provides a versatile format for serving hot beverages while avoiding separate sleeves and bespoke design orders. The range is available in the UK and Ireland through Go-Pak’s festive jumper hot cups range.