Most office catering mistakes come from three places: ordering the wrong amount, skipping dietary needs until it’s too late, and not giving enough lead time. This guide covers all three — plus how to set up a standing order so you only have to figure this out once.
Step 1: Get Your Headcount Right
Confirmed RSVPs undercount actual attendance by 10–15% in most offices. Someone forwards the meeting invite to a colleague; someone brings a guest. Add a 10% buffer to whatever number you have confirmed.
For recurring meetings where attendance is consistent, use the 3-month average. If 28 people showed up last month and 26 the month before, order for 30.
For events where you genuinely don’t know the count, go 15% over your expected number. Box lunches travel well, stay sealed, and don’t go to waste — anyone who didn’t get to the event can take one. Unused platters are harder to manage.
Step 2: Box Lunches or Platters?
For a working office meeting, box lunches win almost every time.
People eat at their desk or in a conference room. There’s no serving setup, no utensils to manage, and no one standing in line. Each box is individual and can be labeled for dietary needs. Box lunches also travel easily if your team is spread across floors or buildings.
Platters work for social gatherings, parties, and informal events where people are moving around and serving themselves. They’re not ideal for a 30-minute team meeting where efficiency matters.
Step 1: Get Your Headcount Right
Confirmed RSVPs undercount actual attendance by 10–15% in most offices. Someone forwards the meeting invite to a colleague; someone brings a guest. Add a 10% buffer to whatever number you have confirmed.
For recurring meetings where attendance is consistent, use the 3-month average. If 28 people showed up last month and 26 the month before, order for 30.
For events where you genuinely don’t know the count, go 15% over your expected number. Box lunches travel well, stay sealed, and don’t go to waste — anyone who didn’t get to the event can take one. Unused platters are harder to manage.
Step 2: Box Lunches or Platters?
For a working office meeting, box lunches win almost every time.
People eat at their desk or in a conference room. There’s no serving setup, no utensils to manage, and no one standing in line. Each box is individual and can be labeled for dietary needs. Box lunches also travel easily if your team is spread across floors or buildings.
Platters work for social gatherings, parties, and informal events where people are moving around and serving themselves. They’re not ideal for a 30-minute team meeting where efficiency matters.
Step 4: Give Enough Lead Time
- Standard orders (10–49 boxes): 24 hours minimum
- Medium orders (50–99 boxes): 48 hours when possible
- Large or event orders (100+ boxes): call us directly to discuss timing
- Same-day: not standard. Call the store directly — if they can accommodate, they will, but don’t count on it for events you’ve planned in advance.
Build the lead time into your order workflow. If your meeting is Thursday at noon, place the order by Wednesday morning. Don’t leave it for Wednesday at 9 PM.
Step 5: Pickup or Delivery?
Delivery is available on catering orders totaling $250 or more — roughly 38 box lunches or 7 platters. On delivery orders:
- Confirm your building’s delivery access (loading dock, lobby, specific entrance)
- Designate one person to receive the order
- Make sure someone is reachable by phone during the delivery window
Pickup is available at all six of our Cobb County locations for orders of any size:
- Acworth: Mars Hill Rd and Hwy 92
- Kennesaw: Due West (Stilesboro Crossing)
- Marietta: Austell Rd SW and Hidden Forest Ct (KSU area)
- Powder Springs: Macland Rd
For pickup, designate one person with a vehicle that fits the order. A sedan handles most box lunch orders fine — bring a blanket or seat covers to protect packaging.
Step 6: Set Up a Standing Order
If your team meets weekly or monthly and you’re placing the same order every time, a standing account removes the friction.
Same order. Same time. No reordering each week. We track the order, you confirm or adjust, and it goes out like clockwork.
Contact us at amarasubway.com/contact/ to set up a standing account. This works well for recurring all-hands meetings, weekly team lunches, and regular training day catering.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I order office catering?
24 hours minimum for standard orders. 48 hours for 50+ boxes. More notice is always better for large or event-scale orders.
Can I customize individual boxes for dietary restrictions?
Yes. Let us know at the time of ordering and we’ll mark boxes for specific dietary needs. Vegetarian options are available on our catering menu.
What if my headcount changes after I place the order?
Call your location as soon as you know. Changes within 24 hours of pickup are harder to accommodate — give as much notice as you can. We’ll do what we can to adjust.
Can I set up a recurring catering order for regular team meetings?
Yes. Contact us through amarasubway.com/contact/ to discuss a standing account.
Ready to place your next office lunch order? Box lunches start at $6.50 per person with a 10-box minimum. Order at amarasubway.com/catering/office-lunch/ or call (678) 355-6035. We serve offices across Acworth, Kennesaw, Marietta, and Powder Springs.