Corporate event catering: formats, minimums and what a staffed event adds

Corporate event catering at Upper Crust comes in three formats: boxed lunches from $14.50 a person, drop-off trays with no minimum, and buffets from $18.99 a person for 20 guests or more. If you need servers on site, that is a staffed event, and it adds servers at $35 an hour, a $50 event production fee and a 20% service charge. Our largest event was a 2,000-guest gala, and our smallest office lunch was 12 guests.

Pick the format first

• Boxed lunches, from the boxed lunch menu. Basic Boxed Lunch is $14.50, Executive Boxed Lunch is $16.50, minimum 20 boxes. Right for meetings and trainings where everyone eats at their desk.
• Trays and platters, from the trays menu and platters menu. No minimum. Right for open-door receptions and break rooms.
• Buffets, starting at 20 guests. Buffet Menu 1 is $18.99 a person, Buffet Menu 2 is $19.99 and Buffet Menu 3 is $20.99. Right for annual meetings, client lunches and a sit-down feel.
• Breakfast, from the breakfast menu. Continental Breakfast is $11.99 a person, and the Basic Breakfast Buffet is $16.99.

Our corporate lunches page and the full corporate catering guide go further on weekday lunches. This guide is about bigger events.

What a staffed event costs, for 60 guests

Take Buffet Menu 2 for 60 guests with two servers for 4 hours. Here is how it adds up before tax:

• Food: 60 x $19.99 = $1,199.40.
• Servers: 2 servers x 4 hours x $35 = $280. The minimum is 4 hours per server.
• Event production fee: $50.
• Service charge: 20% of food and rentals, 20% x $1,199.40 = $239.88.

Subtotal: $1,199.40 + $280 + $50 + $239.88 = $1,769.28. Sales tax of 9.25% and delivery are added; delivery is quoted when you order. The number of servers is set in your written quote based on your venue and timing. The service charge is shared by the service staff and the kitchen.

The same buffet as a drop-off order has no service charge. Your own team sets it out, and the price is $19.99 a person plus tax.

Notice and paperwork

• Standard orders need 3 days of notice. Staffed events need 14.
• The quote shows food, staff, rentals, delivery and tax on one sheet, and it is valid for 14 days.
• A 25% deposit reserves your date. The balance is due 7 days before the event after the final count. You can raise the count any time before you pay; after the deposit it can drop by no more than 10%.
• Pay by card, check or ACH. Tax-exempt organizations give us the certificate before the invoice.
• Our license and certificate of insurance are available on request, which many offices need before booking.

Add-ons your event may need

• Chafing Dish Set, $17 per hot dish, yours to keep. Or the stainless rental at $20, returned after the event.
• Plates, Napkins & Silverware, $1.50 per person.
• Coffee, $89 for 50 servings, and Iced Tea, Punch or Lemonade at $89 for 50 servings.

For a 60-person event, plates, napkins and silverware are 60 x $1.50 = $90.

The same person from quote to event day

One planner quotes the event and is on the phone the morning of. A driver texts when five minutes out. If you want to see the food first, ask about a tasting at the kitchen showroom. Call (630) 553-9533 or send the date and headcount on the quote form.

Questions

What is the minimum for corporate catering?

Trays have no minimum. Boxed lunches start at 20 boxes. Buffets and packages start at 20 guests.

Do you serve events with hundreds of guests?

Yes. Our largest event had 2,000 guests.

Can you bill our company?

You can pay by card, check or ACH, and the written quote is on one sheet your accounting team can read.

How do I compare buffet, boxes and trays?

The office lunch comparison works through all three for 20 people.