Box lunch catering: how to order for a team, with prices for 20, 30 and 50

Box lunch catering from Upper Crust starts at $14.50 a box, with a minimum of 20 boxes. A Basic Boxed Lunch is $14.50, an Executive Boxed Lunch is $16.50, and an Executive Chef's Chopped Salad is $17.50 and gluten-free. Each lunch is individually boxed on fresh baked French rolls. Order three days ahead and pick up in Yorkville, or ask for quoted delivery.

Prices for 20, 30 and 50 boxes

The math is simple, so you can budget before you call. These are food prices before 9.25% sales tax.

• Basic Boxed Lunch, $14.50. 20 boxes: $290. 30 boxes: $435. 50 boxes: $725.
• Executive Boxed Lunch, $16.50. 20 boxes: $330. 30 boxes: $495. 50 boxes: $825.
• Executive Chef's Chopped Salad, $17.50. 20 boxes: $350. 30 boxes: $525. 50 boxes: $875.

You can mix them. A common order is mostly Basic or Executive with a few Chopped Salads for the people who do not want a sandwich or have a gluten-free need. Fifteen Basic and five Chopped Salads comes to $217.50 + $87.50 = $305.

Drop-off orders have no service charge. Delivery is quoted when you order.

How the minimum works

Boxed lunches start at 20 boxes. That is the one place our minimum is higher than the headcount of a small team. If you are feeding fewer than 20, order a Sandwich Platter at $79 or a Deli Platter at $95. Trays and platters have no minimum. See our guide to ham sandwiches and boxed lunches for more on sandwich options.

Drinks and extras

Add drinks to the same order so everything arrives together.

• Bottled Water or Soft Drinks, $2.49 each. For 20 people with one each: 20 x $2.49 = $49.80.
• Iced Tea, Punch or Lemonade, $89 for 50 six-ounce servings, cups included. This is cheaper per person once your group tops about 35, since 35 bottles would be $87.15.
• Assorted Home Baked Cookies, 40 count, $45, for dessert.

So 20 Basic boxes with a bottle of water each is $290 + $49.80 = $339.80, plus tax. Add cookies and it is $384.80.

Planning tips for a team lunch

• Collect the dietary needs first. Ask about gluten-free and vegetarian before you place the order, then tell us the numbers.
• Pick one pick-up or delivery time and one contact name. Our driver texts when five minutes out.
• Order for the people who said yes plus a couple extra. Your count can go up any time before the balance is paid.
• For an all-day training, pair boxed lunches with Coffee, $89 for 50 servings, in the morning.

If you want a hot meal for the same group, compare it with Buffet Menu 1 at $18.99 a person. Our lunch catering guide puts the three formats side by side, and our boxed lunch menu lists the options. Call (630) 553-9533, or send your date and headcount through the quote form.

Questions

What is the minimum for box lunch catering?

20 boxes. For fewer, use a sandwich or deli platter, which have no minimum.

How much does a box lunch cost?

$14.50 for a Basic Boxed Lunch, $16.50 for an Executive Boxed Lunch and $17.50 for the Executive Chef's Chopped Salad, before tax.

Are there gluten-free box lunches?

The Executive Chef's Chopped Salad is gluten-free. Our kitchen also handles wheat, dairy, eggs and nuts, so we cannot guarantee any dish is free of trace amounts.

How far ahead do I order?

Three days for standard orders.