Is it already that time of year?! Planning corporate holiday catering can feel overwhelming when you're juggling year-end deadlines and budget approvals. Don’t even mention the dietary restriction spreadsheets! Maybe you’re asking yourself if a holiday party or catering is even worth it…
But research shows that employees who had a great time at the holiday party were 96% less likely to resign the following year. When done right, holiday parties with quality catering can create a memorable and worthwhile investment that employees will talk about well into the new year. So, where to begin?
In this guide, we'll walk you through planning unforgettable office holiday events with catering, from menu ideas and budgeting tips, to accommodating dietary needs, ways to include remote employees, and more!
The end of the year is typically the busiest time for most companies and thoughtfully planned holiday meals show employees that their hard work hasn't gone unnoticed. Research shows that employee recognition significantly impacts job satisfaction and retention, with employees who receive recognition being 45% less likely to leave their jobs.
Catered corporate holiday meals for a gathering, formal or not, create natural opportunities for colleagues to connect outside their usual work interactions. These moments strengthen workplace relationships and build your company culture, especially when you get creative with your holiday activities (Secret Santa anybody?). In our modern day hybrid and remote work environments, celebratory gatherings become especially crucial touchpoints for building bonds between team members.
When it comes to holiday catering ideas, the key is choosing a style that matches your company culture, accommodates your team's preferences, and fits your budget. Here are some tried and true options:
Sometimes, you just can't beat the classics! Traditional holiday meals bring a sense of nostalgia and comfort that feels like a Norman Rockwell picture..
We all wish Thanksgiving happened twice! Bring those cozy fall flavors to your December celebrations:
Create a festive atmosphere with winter comfort foods:
Want to add an element of fun and engagement? Interactive stations let employees customize their meals and create a more dynamic dining experience.
These are always a hit because everyone gets exactly what they want:
Nothing creates ambiance quite like watching your meal being prepared:
The interactive element turns a meal into an experience, giving employees something to talk about and remember.
Don't forget the drinks! Beyond basic water stations, consider these crowd pleasers:
Always provide plenty of non-alcoholic options to ensure everyone feels included! And if wine, beer or liquor are on the menu, prevent accidents by setting up a designated driver car pool or cover your team’s ride shares after the party is over.
Planning your holiday party around your corporate holiday catering doesn’t have to be stressful (unlike everything else this time of year), but it does require some strategic planning and thoughtful decision-making to ensure that it’s fun, delicious and memorable. Here are key considerations:
Start by determining your per person budget and overall spending limit. Holiday catering typically runs anywhere from $15-50 per person depending on the style of service and menu complexity, though this can vary significantly based on your location and chosen vendors.
As a benchmark, expect to spend around $1,000-$2,000 for a team of 50 employees for a mid-range celebration. If you’re working with Fooda, we work with your budget and desires to create the ideal catering package for your event.
This is critical! Popular caterers and restaurants book up fast during the holiday season, often as early as October for events in December. Start your planning 6-8 weeks in advance to secure the best vendors, pricing, and menu options. If you're planning for late December, aim to book by mid-October. The earlier you plan, the more options you'll have, the less stressed you'll be, and you'll typically receive better rates. Consider hosting your celebration before the holiday rush (early to mid-December) when scheduling is easier, attendance is typically better, and you may find more availability and competitive pricing. Of course, if you’re working with Fooda, we make planning a breeze, taking out the guesswork of who to book and when.
Book a time with us now to start planning your corporate holiday party!
This is non-negotiable in today's workplace, especially for holiday events. Nothing ruins a party quite like watching a co-worker experience anaphylactic shock!
If applicable, when you send out your event invitation, include a simple questionnaire asking about dietary restrictions and food allergies. At the event, make sure all dishes are clearly labeled with ingredients and allergen information so everyone can enjoy, and you can have peace of mind. With Fooda, we make sure you’ve got options for every diet, so no one ever feels left out.
Choosing the Right Format
Buffet Style: Most popular for corporate events because it's cost-effective and offers variety. Works great for groups of 20 or more.
Plated Meals: More formal and elegant, perfect for seated dinners or executive gatherings.
Food Stations: Creates movement and energy with themed stations that encourage mingling.
Take your holiday get-together to the next level with engaging activities:
Fun, playful activities like these build bonds and memories beyond just the meal.
Don't let your remote team members feel left out! Aside from sending them invites to any in-person events, consider shipping meal delivery gift cards so they can order during a virtual celebration, hosting a hybrid event where remote employees join via video, or sending holiday care packages with treats and a handwritten note. Don’t stress– the gesture matters more than the specifics.
Planning company holiday meals doesn't have to consume your entire Q4. Since 2011, Fooda's sole focus has been providing full-service food programs for companies, and we know how to make holiday catering stress-free.
We take the time to understand your team's unique food preferences, allergies, and dietary restrictions so everyone can enjoy the celebration. From drop catering to onsite staffed pop-up restaurants, Fooda designs holiday programs to suit any office size and budget.
Your employees get authentic food from thousands of restaurant partners and chefs in Fooda's network. From traditional holiday fare today to international cuisines tomorrow, the options never run out, so every celebration feels fresh and exciting.
Whether you prefer ordering online through our simple portal or talking to a person, our account managers are here to help. Delicious food arrives on time, every time, so whoever handles your events now will have more time to focus on what matters most.
We believe you can always show your employees how much they're valued without going over budget. We are happy to build around any restraints so treating your office to a memorable holiday celebration is within reach.
Ready to make your holiday catering as easy as a few clicks? Reach out today and discover how we can help you create a stress-free celebration your team will love!
Corporate holiday catering costs vary widely based on several factors including your location, the number of guests, service style, and menu complexity. Generally, you can expect to pay $15-25 per person for casual buffet-style meals, $25-40 per person for more upscale catering with premium ingredients, and $40-50+ per person for plated dinners or high-end options. Don't forget to factor in delivery fees, service charges, and gratuity, which can add 15-25% to your total.
For a typical office of 50 employees, budget $750-$1,250 for a casual celebration or $2,000-$2,500 for a more formal event. To manage costs effectively, set your per-person budget first, choose buffet over plated service, consider early December timing when demand is lower, and work with a partner like Fooda who offers transparent pricing. Fooda can design a menu that fits your spending limits while still delivering a great experience.
As we mentioned before, book as early as possible! The holiday season is the busiest time of year for caterers and restaurants, with many booking up by early November for December events. Ideally, start planning 6-8 weeks in advance to have the best selection and flexibility. If you're planning for late December, aim to book by mid-October. Last minute bookings (2-3 weeks out) are sometimes possible, but your options will be more limited and prices may be higher.
Start by surveying your team about dietary needs and restrictions when you send event invitations. Ask specifically about vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut allergies, and religious dietary requirements (kosher, halal). When planning your menu, aim for variety that accommodates different needs rather than creating separate "special" meals. When working with Fooda, our restaurant partners are experienced in accommodating diverse dietary needs, and our platform makes it easy to filter options and communicate requirements.
There are endless creative ways to include your remote team members! Consider sending meal delivery gift cards with enough value to order a comparable meal during a scheduled virtual celebration. You could also ship holiday care packages with treats, company swag, and a personal note. For a more interactive approach, host a hybrid event where remote employees join via video conference while on-site teams gather in person, or organize a separate virtual cooking class or tasting experience everyone can participate in from home. The key is making remote team members feel valued and included, not like an afterthought.
Corporate holiday catering is more than just food, it's an opportunity to show appreciation, boost morale, and strengthen workplace culture. The right celebration makes employees feel valued creating memorable moments and bonds that last into the next year.
Fooda simplifies the entire process by connecting you with curated local restaurants, handling all logistics, and providing transparent pricing. Whether you're feeding 10 or 500, we help you create stress-free holiday celebrations your team will love.
Ready to plan your holiday celebration without the stress? Explore Fooda's corporate catering services or connect with our team to start planning your perfect holiday event today!
