Office Catering for Small Teams (Under 30 Pax): What It Costs
Most catering guides assume you're ordering for a hundred people. If your office is 12, 18, or 25 people, that advice doesn't quite apply — and you may have already hit a "minimum 20 pax" wall trying to book a buffet. Here's how small teams should actually approach catering.
Why Small Orders Hit Minimum-Order Walls
Buffet-style catering involves fixed costs regardless of headcount — a delivery trip, chafing dish setup, and a serving table all cost roughly the same whether you're feeding 20 people or 60. Caterers set a minimum pax (commonly 20-30) so that per-pax pricing stays reasonable; below that, the fixed costs get spread across too few people.
The Best Formats for Small Teams
| Format | Works Below 20 Pax? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lunch Box | Yes, usually | No setup needed — each meal is individually packed and delivered |
| Compact Buffet | Sometimes, at minimum pax | Simplified setup, may hit the caterer's minimum order threshold |
| Full Buffet (Premium) | Rarely below 30-50 pax | Full setup and staffing costs need a larger group to stay economical |
Does It Cost More Per Person for Small Groups?
Slightly, in some formats. A small buffet order spreads setup and delivery costs across fewer people, so per-pax pricing can run a little higher than a 100-pax event of the same style. Lunch box formats are far less affected by group size, since there's no shared setup cost to divide — this is why lunch boxes are usually the more cost-efficient choice for small teams specifically.
How to Customise a Small Order Without Overpaying
- Use a custom package builder instead of a fixed large-group package, so you only pay for the dishes and quantities you actually need
- Consider a lunch box format even if you'd normally prefer buffet, since it sidesteps minimum-pax pricing issues entirely
- Ask about a compact buffet option — some caterers offer a scaled-down setup specifically for smaller groups at the minimum threshold
- Batch small recurring orders together if multiple small teams in the same building order separately — combining orders can unlock better per-pax pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order corporate catering for fewer than 20 people?
Buffet-style catering usually has a minimum around 20-30 pax, but lunch box orders often allow smaller quantities since they need no on-site setup.
Is catering more expensive per person for small groups?
Slightly, for buffet formats, since setup and delivery costs are spread across fewer people. Lunch box formats are usually less affected by group size.
What's the best catering format for a small office team?
Lunch boxes or a compact buffet, since they avoid large minimum-order requirements and don't need significant setup space.
Can a small team still get a customised menu?
Yes — custom package builders that let you pick individual dishes work well for small teams without committing to a large fixed package.
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