Individually packed, labeled and easy to hand out — boxed lunches solve most meeting and training catering. What to put in the box, how to order and what it costs.
Boxed lunches are the format that corporate America runs on: every guest gets a labeled, individually packed meal, nothing needs a serving line and the room stays on schedule. They work for a 15-person training, a 500-person conference and a field crew that never sees the office. This guide covers what makes a good box, how to order and the logistics that keep delivery smooth.
What goes in a good boxed lunch
- A main: a sandwich or wrap on good bread, an entrée salad with protein, or a grain bowl. Hot boxed mains (chicken, rice, vegetables) are possible for smaller groups.
- Two sides: a fruit cup or whole fruit, chips or a pasta/grain salad, a vegetable with dip.
- Something sweet: a cookie or brownie.
- Utensils and a napkin inside the box; condiments on the side.
- A label with the contents and allergens on the lid — this is the single most useful thing a caterer can do.
Offer three or four options and let guests choose in advance: a meat sandwich, a chicken or fish salad, a vegetarian wrap and a vegan or gluten-free box. Anything more creates sorting problems on delivery.
Ordering for different group sizes
- 15–40 people: collect choices with the meeting invite, order two days ahead, add two or three extra boxes for late joiners.
- 40–150 people: order by proportion (for example 50% turkey, 25% chicken salad, 25% vegetarian) with named boxes only for allergies; add 5% buffer.
- Conferences of 150+: coordinate pickup stations by option, stagger delivery times for multiple rooms and ask the caterer for a staff member to manage distribution.
Dietary coverage
Label every box. Keep one option that is naturally vegan and one that is gluten-free, and handle true allergies (nut, shellfish, dairy) as individually named boxes collected with the RSVP. Halal and kosher boxes are available in most large metros — ask the caterer.
Delivery logistics
- Delivery window: 30–45 minutes before the break; boxes are held chilled until then.
- Building access: loading dock, security, elevator — send the details with the order.
- Setup: boxes arranged by option with signage, beverages and ice nearby.
- Waste: ask for recyclable or compostable packaging if your office tracks it.
What affects boxed lunch cost
Boxed lunches are among the lowest-cost catering formats per person. The price moves with the main (premium proteins cost more), packaging quality, the number of options, delivery distance and order size — recurring programs are often priced lower per box. For a comparison across caterers, the all-in per-person price with tax on Caterizi is the number to use. For other office formats, see our corporate catering guide and the breakfast and meeting catering guide.
When a boxed lunch is the right call — and when it is not
Choose boxes for working lunches, trainings, conferences, hybrid teams, outdoor crews and any event where the schedule matters more than the meal. Choose a buffet for team lunches meant to be social, for groups with widely varying appetites and for events where hot food is part of the experience — see the buffet guide.
FAQ
How far in advance should I order boxed lunches?
Two business days is standard; one day is often possible for small orders; large conferences need a week or more.
Can I get hot boxed lunches?
Yes for small and medium groups — chicken, rice bowls, pasta. For large groups, caterers usually recommend room-temperature mains for food safety and timing.
Is there a minimum order?
Most caterers set a minimum order value or a minimum of 10–15 boxes for delivery.
Can boxes be delivered to multiple locations?
Yes — many caterers deliver to several offices or job sites on one order; each stop may carry a delivery fee.
Order boxed lunches from verified caterers in New York, Chicago, Dallas, San Jose and other cities — browse menus.
