While I work remotely now and most of my lunches consist of the leftovers from my toddlers meals, I am familiar with the morale boost and excitement over a delicious catered office lunch.
Unfortunately, most office lunches are spent with employees hunched over their keyboards, barely looking up from their screens. It’s a scene that plays out in offices everywhere, and it’s quietly draining energy and morale from your team.
The truth is, how you handle lunch at work says a lot about your company’s culture.
- Are you creating a place for your staff to truly take a break?
- Do you yourself take time to enjoy lunch and be an example?
- Have you ever thought about bringing food to your employees?
With the right catered spread, employees feel like VIPs. This guide is your ticket to transforming the workday into something everyone actually looks forward to.
We’ll share creative corporate lunch ideas, staff appreciation tips, and even how taking the celebration outdoors for a summer picnic can supercharge your team’s morale.
The Guide to Office Lunch Catering
So, what makes a great office lunch? It’s about convenience, variety, and a little bit of “wow.” Here are some ideas to energize your next group meal:
- Make Them Interactive and Social: Want to spark conversation and bring people together? Build-your-own bars—like Fajita Stations or Burger Bars—let everyone craft their perfect plate.
- Have Something Hearty and Comforting: Sometimes, nothing beats a hot lunch buffet. For classic options think grilled marinated chicken breasts, fall-off-the-bone ribs, or perfectly cooked salmon. Pair any of these with a fresh mesclun salad and wild rice tossed with walnuts and parsley, and your team will be more than happy you did.
- Looking to get everyone out of the office but worried about time? No Problem! We can bring one of our Food Trucks! Your crew can chow down a chopped pork or pulled chicken sandwich, scoop up some mac and cheese, or go for a minted cucumber salad, all while hanging out in the open air.
Unique Lunch Ideas for Staff Appreciation
Why settle for an everyday meal when you can really make an impression with a fully catered picnic? Here’s why it’s a great idea.
- A Genuine Thank You: An outdoor event breaks the routine and feels like a true celebration. It’s a memorable way to show appreciation, boost morale, and keep your best people around.
- Build Genuine Connections: Picnics break down workplace barriers. In a relaxed, informal setting, teams bond and build relationships you just can’t manufacture in the conference room.
Perfect Office Picnic Menu
Go with a classic grill!
Think juicy burgers, all-beef hot dogs, or even elevated BBQ like brisket, pulled pork and grilled Portobello mushrooms.
Add a spread of our fresh seasonal salads (Watermelon & Feta, or our Mexican Street Corn salad) and crowd-pleasing desserts like brownie bites or delicious cookies.
If you really want to make your event stand out, we can also arrange for a DJ, face painting, ice cream trucks, and more. It’s a great way to show your employees and their families just how much you value them.
The Impressive Client Lunch
Lunch isn’t just for your team but clients will notice too. When you need to impress them with lunch, let us handle the details and the food. Here are a few ways we can help:
- Variety and Customization: A good spread lets everyone find something they can actually eat (and enjoy). We offer lots of easy-to-eat options that will help keep the conversation going and interruptions down to a minimum.
- Efficient Setup and Cleanup: The less hassle, the better. Let Rocklands cater your next corporate lunch. We deliver the food right to the conference room. We’ll set everything up and make sure there are enough utensils, napkins and condiments.
Real-World Success Stories From Our Kitchen to Your Office
We don’t just talk about great lunches, we deliver them. Here are a few of the comments we’ve received about our catering.
“Thank you so much for taking such great care of the Sanford School of Public Policy group at our Duke in DC office last night! I was able to step away for a bit and head to the rooftop terrace to see everything in action; and I have to say, it looked absolutely fantastic. The layout had a great flow, especially given the number of guests in the space, and as always, your staff was top-notch: attentive, professional, and a pleasure to work with. I’m still hearing rave reviews about the food! Yes, the rooftop view is stunning, but it was the service and catering that truly stole the show. We’re so grateful for your partnership and look forward to working with Rockland’s again soon.
— Eric S.
“Last week Rocklands came to my rescue. While in charge of planning an annual corporate event our owner decided to change caterers at the last minute, since they felt that Rocklands would be able to offer a full-service experience with less hassle. The owner was right and Beatriz, our liaison, was always quick to reply, patient with all our questions, and a pleasure to work with. They provided us with a lovely BBQ spread, VEGAN sausage (many staff members took it thinking is was made with meat) that wowed our carnivores, and a referral for a raw bar vendor. Their staff were tasked with set-up, serving, and clean-up and they did so with a smile. I would work with Rocklands anytime!”
— Shannon
Let’s Plan Your Team’s Favorite Day of the Week
A great lunch is more than a meal, it’s an investment in your people and your business. Ready to make lunch the highlight of your workday?
Get in touch for a free consultation or catering proposal request. Whether it’s for recurring office lunches or your next big event. Or grab our Catering Menu to start planning your next unforgettable meal.
Lunch doesn’t have to be an afterthought. Let’s make it the best part of your day.
Sip, Savor, and Sweeten Your Summer with Our Sweet Tea Mint Julep