Lunch catering is the most popular type of catering for businesses and events, accounting for a significant portion of corporate food orders. Whether it’s a team meeting, conference, birthday party, or corporate gathering, lunch catering provides a convenient way to feed groups with minimal effort. (Scratch Catering)
Today’s top restaurant chains offer flexible catering formats, including:
- Boxed lunches (individual meals)
- Sandwich and wrap platters
- Hot buffet trays
- Build-your-own bars (taco, pasta, salad)
In this 2026 guide, we’ll explore the top 10 restaurants that offer lunch catering, including menu highlights, pricing, and best picks.
1. Chick-fil-A (Best Overall Lunch Catering)
Chick-fil-A is one of the most popular lunch catering options thanks to its consistent quality and flexible catering trays.
Menu Highlights
- Chicken sandwich boxed meals
- Nugget trays (small, medium, large)
- Wrap trays and salads
- Fruit trays and desserts
👉 Chick-fil-A offers both party trays and packaged meals for groups of 10–50+ (chick-fil-a.com)
Prices
- Nugget trays: ~$30–$100
- Boxed meals: ~$10–$15 per person
Best Picks
- Nugget tray (best overall)
- Chicken sandwich boxed meal
👉 Best for: Office lunches, corporate catering
2. Panera Bread (Best Healthy Lunch Catering)
Panera Bread offers a fresh, health-focused catering menu ideal for professional settings.
Menu Highlights
- Sandwich and salad combos
- Soup containers
- Boxed lunches
- Bakery items
Prices
- Boxed lunch: ~$10–$15 per person
- Sandwich platters: ~$50–$100
Best Picks
- “You Pick Two” combos
- Salad + sandwich trays
👉 Best for: Corporate meetings and health-conscious groups
3. Subway (Best Customizable Catering)
Subway is a go-to for build-your-own lunch catering and customizable meals.
Menu Highlights
- Sandwich platters
- Giant subs
- Wrap trays
- Boxed lunches
Prices
- Platters: ~$40–$80
- Boxed meals: ~$8–$12 per person
Best Picks
- Sub sandwich platter
- Individual boxed meals
👉 Best for: Offices and mixed dietary preferences
4. Chipotle (Best Build-Your-Own Catering)
Chipotle is known for its interactive catering style, allowing guests to customize meals.
Menu Highlights
- Burrito bowl bars
- Taco bars
- Salad bowls
Prices
- $10–$15 per person
Best Picks
- Build-your-own taco bar
- Burrito bowl spread
👉 Best for: Large groups and customizable menus
5. Olive Garden (Best Italian Lunch Catering)
Olive Garden provides family-style catering with hearty portions.
Menu Highlights
- Pasta trays (Alfredo, Bolognese)
- Chicken entrées
- Breadsticks and salad
Prices
- Pasta trays: ~$50–$100
- Per person: ~$12–$18
Best Picks
- Chicken Alfredo
- Lasagna tray
👉 Best for: Family-style lunches and formal office events
6. Panda Express (Best Asian Lunch Catering)
Panda Express offers buffet-style Asian catering trays.
Menu Highlights
- Orange chicken
- Fried rice
- Chow mein
- Party trays
Prices
- $8–$13 per person
Best Picks
- Orange chicken tray
- Mixed entrée package
👉 Best for: Buffet-style lunches
7. Jimmy John’s (Best Fast Delivery Catering)
Jimmy John’s is known for its quick delivery and fresh sandwich catering.
Menu Highlights
- Party platters
- Box lunches
- Giant subs
Prices
- $8–$12 per person
Best Picks
- Party sandwich platters
- Box lunches
👉 Best for: Last-minute catering
8. Boston Market (Best Comfort Food Catering)
Boston Market specializes in home-style meals with balanced sides.
Menu Highlights
- Rotisserie chicken
- Meatloaf
- Mashed potatoes
- Vegetables
Prices
- $10–$15 per person
Best Picks
- Chicken + sides combo
- Family meal packages
👉 Best for: Comfort food lunches
9. Domino’s Pizza (Best Casual Lunch Catering)
Pizza catering is one of the easiest and most affordable options.
Menu Highlights
- Large pizzas
- Wings
- Breadsticks
- Dessert items
Prices
- $5–$10 per person
Best Picks
- Mixed pizza selection
- Wings combo
👉 Best for: Casual events and large groups
10. Outback Steakhouse (Best Premium Lunch Catering)
Outback Steakhouse offers higher-end lunch catering with buffet and boxed options.
Menu Highlights
- Steak and chicken entrées
- Sandwich platters
- Burger bars
- Sides and salads
👉 Offers both buffet-style and individual boxed catering (Outback Steakhouse)
Prices
- $15–$25 per person
Best Picks
- Chicken entrée trays
- Burger bar
👉 Best for: Premium corporate events
Comparison Table: Top Lunch Catering Restaurants
| Restaurant | Price Per Person | Best For | Food Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chick-fil-A | $10–$15 | Overall | Chicken |
| Panera Bread | $10–$15 | Healthy | Café |
| Subway | $8–$12 | Customizable | Sandwiches |
| Chipotle | $10–$15 | Large groups | Mexican |
| Olive Garden | $12–$18 | Formal | Italian |
| Panda Express | $8–$13 | Buffets | Asian |
| Jimmy John’s | $8–$12 | Fast delivery | Sandwiches |
| Boston Market | $10–$15 | Comfort food | American |
| Domino’s | $5–$10 | Budget | Pizza |
| Outback Steakhouse | $15–$25 | Premium | Steakhouse |
How to Choose the Right Lunch Catering Option
For Office Meetings
- Chick-fil-A
- Panera Bread
- Subway
For Large Groups
- Chipotle
- Domino’s
- Panda Express
For Budget Catering
- Domino’s
- Subway
- Jimmy John’s
For Premium Events
- Outback Steakhouse
- Olive Garden
Tips for Ordering Lunch Catering
1. Choose the Right Format
- Boxed meals → best for meetings
- Platters → best for sharing
- Buffets → best for large events
2. Plan Portions Carefully
- Light lunch: 1 item per person
- Full meal: entrée + side + drink
3. Order in Advance
Most restaurants require 24 hours notice for catering orders.
4. Consider Dietary Needs
Modern catering often includes:
- Vegetarian options
- Gluten-free meals
- Low-calorie choices (Scratch Catering)
Pros and Cons of Lunch Catering
✅ Pros
- Convenient and time-saving
- Affordable compared to full catering
- Easy to scale
- Wide variety of cuisines
❌ Cons
- Limited customization
- No full-service staff
- Food quality may vary by location
Is Lunch Catering Worth It?
Yes—lunch catering is one of the most practical and cost-effective solutions for feeding groups.
Typical pricing ranges:
- Budget: $5–$10 per person
- Mid-range: $10–$15 per person
- Premium: $15–$25 per person
👉 This flexibility makes it suitable for almost any event type.
Final Thoughts
The top restaurants that offer lunch catering in 2026 provide a wide range of options—from simple sandwich platters to full buffet spreads.
If you want:
- Best overall → Chick-fil-A
- Healthiest → Panera Bread
- Most customizable → Chipotle
- Cheapest → Domino’s
- Most premium → Outback Steakhouse
👉 Choosing the right catering option depends on your budget, event size, and guest preferences.
