I treat it more as a matter of practicality than cost.
First; I like the presentation, so to an extent, our use of tubs is a matter of my personal preference.
Second: We find it much easier to layer the topping when filling the tub, especially when we're really busy. You can hold onto the lip at the bottom, which makes it easy to fill, top and shake the corn.
Third: We offer one free refill on our large size. The tub is more easily reused than a bag would be.
We run a drive-in, so the idea of using bags and possibly requiring the customer to top their own corn guarantees they won't have a uniform product. I don't want them having to come back for more topping (there are better reasons), so we want to send the whole container out, ready to go. For me, that means using tubs.
Cost? As with everything else, it's figured into the price. They're not really that expensive. Considering the quality of the outgoing product, we've never had a complaint.
Personal opinion here: I think you can see how tubs would work over bags, just by doing it. Putting them side-by-side may bring up choice issues that don't make it a fair comparison. Besides, every choice you give the customer means more time you have to spend with them, and more time they take up space in your line.
[This message has been edited by rodeojack (edited July 09, 2007).]
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