How to choose a boxed lunch caterer
When boxed lunches beat a buffet
Boxes work when people eat at their seats, on a bus, at a job site or between takes, or when they arrive at different times. They also make portions and allergies easy to manage, since every meal is sealed and labeled. For a team that eats together in one room, a buffet may give more variety for the money.
Check what is in the box
A typical box holds a sandwich, wrap or salad, a side, a snack or cookie, and sometimes a drink. Ask what the caterer includes as standard, whether utensils and napkins come in the box, and whether salads and hot meals can be boxed as well.
Labels and names
For trainings and productions, ask the caterer to label each box with its contents and dietary tags, and to write names on special-diet meals. Sorting the boxes by type before they reach the table saves time when a whole room reaches for lunch at once.
Ordering for a group
- Collect choices with a simple form a few days ahead, or ask the caterer for an assorted mix.
- Order a few extra vegetarian boxes, because other guests often choose them too.
- Confirm the delivery window and who in the building will receive the order.
- Ask about the order cutoff and how late the count can still change.
What it costs in Los Angeles
Boxed lunches are among the most predictable catering costs in Los Angeles, because the price is per box. Published LA prices run from deli boxes in the high teens to chef-made lunch bags in the thirties.
Typical boxed lunch prices in Los Angeles| What | Typical range |
|---|
| Deli or fast-casual box | $18 to $25 per box |
|---|
| Chef-made or premium box | $25 to $38 per box |
|---|
| Typical minimum order | 10 to 15 boxes, often $100 or more |
|---|
| Delivery fee | $25 to $200 per order |
|---|
Minimums of 10 or 15 boxes are common, and some caterers ask for the same item in groups of four or more. Drinks, utensils and delivery may cost extra, and sales tax applies to hot meals and to disposables.
Marbled LA's own menu pricing starts at $24 per person for lunch and $22 for breakfast, plus $2.50 per person for disposables, delivery from $150 per drop and a 15 percent service charge.
Tips
- Ask what is in the box at each price, since a sandwich, chips and cookie box and a box with a salad and a drink are not the same lunch.
- Collect choices a day or two early instead of ordering an assorted mix, so fewer boxes go uneaten.
These are typical Los Angeles market ranges drawn from public price lists and cost guides, not quotes. Every caterer prices its own menus, so ask each one for a written quote.