Everything you need to know about feeding your team — from choosing the right cuisine to handling dietary restrictions and staying on budget.
A step-by-step walkthrough covering how to choose a restaurant, handle dietary restrictions, set a budget, and make sure food arrives on time.
A breakdown of average catering costs by meal type, cuisine, and service style — so you can set a realistic budget before you order.
Not all food scales well for groups. We break down which cuisines work best for large orders, buffet-style service, and mixed dietary needs.
Vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher — a practical guide to making sure everyone on your team has something great to eat.
Each service style has pros and cons depending on your team size, venue, and event type. Here's how to choose the right one.
All-hands events have unique needs — big headcount, tight schedule, mixed preferences. Here's a proven formula that works every time.
Most catering services need at least a day's notice for large orders. Same-day is possible but limits your options.
Always order slightly more than you think you need. Running out of food mid-meeting is far worse than leftovers.
A quick Slack poll or email asking about dietary restrictions takes 5 minutes and saves a lot of awkward situations on the day.
If you have guests with allergies, label dishes clearly. A simple tent card or sticker prevents dangerous mix-ups.
When in doubt, Mediterranean, Mexican, and Asian fusion tend to have the widest appeal and best dietary variety.
Food alone isn't a complete meal. Budget $3–5/person for drinks and $3–5 for a simple dessert to round it out.
| Meal type | Service style | Budget | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team lunch | Buffet | $10–$14/pp | $15–$22/pp | $23–$35/pp |
| Breakfast / morning | Boxed or buffet | $8–$12/pp | $13–$18/pp | $19–$28/pp |
| Working lunch | Boxed / individual | $12–$16/pp | $17–$24/pp | $25–$40/pp |
| All-day workshop | Buffet + snacks | $20–$28/pp | $29–$40/pp | $41–$60/pp |
| Cocktail / reception | Passed bites | $15–$20/pp | $21–$35/pp | $36–$55/pp |
| Company dinner | Plated / family | $25–$35/pp | $36–$55/pp | $56–$90/pp |
Costs exclude delivery, setup, gratuity, and tax. Actual pricing varies by location, restaurant, and order size.
No animal products at all. Look for clearly labeled vegan dishes. Mediterranean, Indian, and plant-based cuisines have great options.
Avoid wheat, barley, and rye. Cross-contamination is a real concern — ask your caterer to package GF items separately.
Meat must be halal-certified. Middle Eastern, some Indian, and dedicated halal restaurants are your best options.
High protein, high fat, very low carb. Protein-heavy dishes without bread, rice, or pasta work well.
Requires certified kosher preparation and separate meat/dairy. Order from a certified kosher restaurant to ensure compliance.
No milk, cheese, butter, or cream. Many cuisines are naturally dairy-free — Asian, most Mexican, and many Mediterranean dishes.
Skip the research and order directly. Fast confirmation, 50+ restaurant options, and on-time delivery to your office.