Corporate Catering: Office Lunches and the Holiday Party Budget

Office lunch: $15-35 per person

National ranges; delivery fees of $15-50 and a 10-18% service or "admin" fee are typical on drop-off orders. Big-metro premium: 30-50%.

Recurring office orders are where negotiation works. Any caterer doing weekly lunches for 40 people will trade 10-15% off for a standing order, waive the delivery fee, or add a dessert. Restaurant catering menus (most fast-casual chains run one) are often cheaper than dedicated caterers for under 25 people; the restaurant guide covers the trade-offs.

The holiday party: $60-125 per person with a bar

A company holiday party at a rented venue or a restaurant's private room lands at $60-125 per person all-in for food and an open bar — the low end for heavy appetizers and beer-and-wine, the high end for a seated dinner and spirits. Break it down:

• Food: $35-55 per person for passed appetizers and stations, $60-95 for a plated dinner.
• Beer-and-wine bar, 3 hours: $18-30 per person.
• Full open bar, 3 hours: $35-55 per person. Spirits roughly double the bar line.
• Service charge: 18-24% on food and beverage, taxed. Not the tip (see the caterers guide).
• Venue: a private dining room usually has no rental fee but a food-and-beverage minimum of $3,000-15,000; a standalone venue charges a site fee. See Event Venues.

Beer and wine vs full bar

For 100 people over three hours, a beer-and-wine package at $25 is $2,500; a full bar at $45 is $4,500. The extra $2,000 buys spirits that maybe a third of the room will drink. The common middle: beer, wine and two signature cocktails, typically priced $30-38 per person. Drink tickets (two per guest, cash bar after) are the other lever, and they don't offend anyone as much as HR fears.

Consumption billing — pay per drink actually poured — works for a lunch or a mixed-age crowd. For a Friday night in December with an open tab, a package is safer.

The corporate-specific fine print

• Minimums: 10-15 people for drop-off, 25-50 for staffed events, and a dollar minimum ($1,500-5,000) on December dates.
• Invoicing: most caterers offer net-30 terms to companies with a signed agreement; deposits of 25-50% still apply to event catering.
• Dietary labels: ask for individually labeled items; it's standard and free if requested at ordering.
• December surge: venues and caterers book out by early October. Mid-week and mid-January parties are 15-25% cheaper and easier to book.
• COI: office buildings routinely require the caterer's certificate of insurance before the elevator opens. Ask a week ahead.

For a casual team event, a booked truck can beat all of this on price and morale — see Food Truck Catering Cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should a company budget per person for a holiday party?

Plan $60-125 per person including food, a bar and service charge. Heavy appetizers with beer and wine sits at the low end; a plated dinner with a full open bar at the high end. Venue fees or F&B minimums are separate.

What does office lunch catering cost?

$15-35 per person for most formats in 2026: boxed lunches from around $14, hot buffets with an attendant up to $35. Add delivery and a 10-18% service fee on drop-off orders.

Is an open bar worth it for a corporate event?

A beer-and-wine package ($18-30 per person for three hours) usually is. A full bar nearly doubles the line for a minority of guests. Two signature cocktails on top of beer and wine is the common compromise.

Can we get invoiced instead of paying a deposit?

For recurring drop-off orders, yes — net-30 is standard for corporate accounts. For a staffed event, expect a 25-50% deposit regardless, with the balance invoiced after.