Organizing a business caterer can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. When choosing the right provider for your meeting, many factors come into play. Putting all the details together can be very tedious, especially when you have other things on your plate (pun intended!). Luckily, this step-by-step guide makes ordering the proper meal for every business meeting easy.
We've put together this ultimate guide to corporate catering to help you with that. When you're done reading, you'll know what corporate catering is, how it works, where to find it, and how to order it. In short, everything you need to get groceries for your business. We'll start with the basics.
What is corporate catering?
Corporate catering refers to catering for company employees. This can be done daily or for a one-off event such as a long meeting or training. Some companies specialize in corporate catering, while others are restaurants that provide catering services.
The process is simple: you choose a caterer, tell them what you want and when you want it, and they will deliver it to you (though sometimes you can save a little money and buy your food instead). Of course, it's not always that simple, especially when ordering an office lunch for a large group. Some caterers require you to book a specific time or have a different Corporate lunch catering menu from their regular one. This often includes large meals you can share or a buffet where employees can eat whatever they want.
But just because your choices are somewhat limited compared to the standard menu in a catering restaurant doesn't mean you don't have a lot of options. Countless restaurants cater to businesses, and plenty to choose from in your city.
Types of corporate catering
Different caterers offer different options, but there are some patterns you will see. Here are a few common types of corporate catering:
- Individual orders: Each employee sends an order to the restaurant, often through an administrator. Everyone gets their food through a standard restaurant service or food delivery app rather than a dedicated company dining program.
- Platters: You can find platters with just about anything. A plate can contain 20 sandwiches of three types, various side dishes, or several desserts. They usually give you several options and allow you to offer variety at a reasonable price.
- Buffet Style: Restaurants bring out large trays of food, and people choose their options, just like on a buffet. This is often best for large groups where individual orders or fabrics will be too expensive.
- Food Trucks: Some food trucks allow you to order an entire truck for a set time. To make this work, you usually need a lot of people, as ordering a truck alone costs several hundred dollars.
- Pop-up restaurant: Two or three employees from the restaurant come to your workplace and take orders from your employees. It's like a restaurant, except no one has to leave your office.
How much does a catering company cost?
This is a frequently asked question. But it isn't easy to give a general answer. In short, Corporate lunch catering providers can spend almost anything they want. A glance at the company's catering menu will tell you that you can get a sandwich for $7 or a giant grill tray that feeds 20 people for $200. Corporate caterers in your area set their prices and offer various serving sizes and formats. The number of employees you provide also makes a big difference. You may order buffet service with a large group, which lowers the price per person, although the total cost is still higher than for smaller orders.
Tips for choosing the exemplary company lunch catering service for your business?
Finding a Corporate lunch catering company can be difficult because the food you serve at your business meeting reflects your company's standards for your business customers. This brief article provides tips to help you choose the best corporate event catering services for your business.
Location
The first thing to consider when choosing the right Corporate lunch catering company is the location of your meeting. Location determines how much space you have for eating and drinking and the layout and style of the food you can serve. If you're working with a small space, you may not want to build a giant do-it-yourself station. Is the meeting room more formal, such as a dining or conference room? Or do you make it more relaxed in the kitchen or the break room? Your decision will be influenced by all of these factors.
Timing
How long will the meeting last? How long can you book a place for? Do you plan to eat and then move on to the agenda of the meeting, or will you eat while the meeting is in progress? This is an important question to ask yourself before making a decision. The more time you have, the more food options you have. However, if you're short on time, you might want something quick and easy like a sandwich or wrap.
Policies
The Corporate lunch catering company you are working with should have a clear policy regarding cancellations or delays. If an additional charge is due to an unexpected cancellation, notify in advance. Read every contract you sign carefully because you don't want to be responsible for high fees if you cancel it. Also, remember never to pay in full before the event. Instead, make sure you pay a portion of the total upfront, and only after the food has been delivered should the rest be transferred.
Diet Restrictions
Before looking to cater business meals, find out about dietary restrictions for the people attending your meeting. You want to make sure that the options are available to everyone. If a caterer can't meet all your needs, they are not the right caterer for you. Don't wait until it's too late to find out Susan from Finance has a peanut allergy, and everything you order is cooked with peanut butter! Do your research promptly.
Final headcount
This may seem obvious, but it is essential! Make sure you count the number of people attending the meeting, and if possible, anticipate tastes. You want to ensure you have enough food to make everyone feel full and satisfied! Are most of your office members heavy eaters who will go back for seconds and thirds? Or is one serving per person enough?
What kind of meeting is this?
Think about the mood you want to set for that special gathering. Is it a friendly, casual get-together with your team? Then you should ask your team for menu suggestions. Don't be afraid to choose something fun or new. Or maybe you are meeting with stakeholders or customers. In that case, you might want to stick with something a little safer. Think about the people you meet and what they want, and try to move in that direction. You must take every action when you meet a potential client or investor. Don't go over a budget, of course, but stick to food you know is good quality and well presented. Make sure you don't choose foods that are too messy or difficult to eat. You want to focus on doing your best and take the time to discuss the business at hand.
Narrow your choices
Now that you know the type of food you're looking for, you can start researching potential corporate event catering services. Start narrowing down your three or four caterers that will accommodate all of your dietary restrictions, serve within your time frame, and fit the mood of your meeting.
Conclusion
Now that you have narrowed down your choices, You must be prepared to make choices. Get the team involved if you can! Let people choose their favorite option from your top three. Or, when meeting with customers, think about their preferences and make decisions based on them.
