TL;DR
- Holiday office party catering in Atlanta starts at $26 per guest for boxed lunches and $36 per guest for a hot themed buffet, with a 30-guest minimum.
- Pick the format first (lunch buffet, brunch, cocktail bites or boxed lunch), then the theme, then staffing.
- Budget for the extras: a 10% production charge, delivery at IRS mileage rates, and $250 per server or bartender for up to four hours.
- Book three to four weeks out. December weekdays fill quickly.
The office holiday party is still a fixture of the American workplace. In its most recent holiday party survey, outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that 64% of companies planned holiday celebrations, the same share as the year before. The same survey found 17% of companies planned to trim party spending, up from 8% a year earlier.
That combination, a party everyone expects on a tighter budget, is why more Atlanta teams are bringing the celebration into the office with a caterer instead of booking a restaurant buyout. This guide walks through formats, real per-guest pricing and a planning timeline, so you can get it on the calendar this week.
Step 1: Choose Your Party Format
The format drives almost every other decision: headcount, timing, staffing and budget. Our corporate catering offers four core formats, all delivered to your office on weekdays.
Hot themed buffet
The classic holiday lunch. Choose a theme, such as Italian, Mediterranean, Latin-inspired, Hibachi-style, Soul Food or Filipino-style, then five selections including at least one protein. It feels like a celebration without anyone leaving the building.
Bottomless brunch
Two proteins and two sides. A strong pick for a morning all-hands, a year-end awards breakfast or teams that scatter by mid-afternoon.
Cold cocktail
Three chef-prepared bites and a dessert, delivered ready to set out. Ideal for a late-afternoon toast or a gathering where people mingle more than they sit.
Boxed lunch
Five selections including at least one sandwich or wrap. The most budget-friendly format, and the easiest for hybrid teams or a lunch-and-learn that doubles as a thank-you.
Planning an evening event instead? Our full-service cocktail parties, buffet events and plated dinners work for leadership dinners, client appreciation nights and parties at a private home.
Step 2: Set the Budget
Corporate menu pricing is all-inclusive per guest, covering groceries, preparation and packaging.
Corporate Holiday Catering: Price per Guest
Source: Atlanta Personal Chef Service corporate catering menu. 30-guest minimum on every menu.
What else to budget for
- Production charge: 10% of menu pricing and add-ons. It does not apply to staff or delivery fees.
- Servers and bartenders: $250 each for up to four hours, then $60 per hour each.
- Delivery: charged at current IRS mileage rates, round-trip from our kitchen.
- Add-on selections: $10 per guest ($150 minimum). Hibachi steak or spicy shrimp adds $5 per guest.
A sample budget for 40 people
| Line item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hot themed buffet, 40 guests at $36 | $1,440 |
| 10% production charge | $144 |
| One server, up to 4 hours | $250 |
| Subtotal before delivery | $1,834 |
That works out to roughly $46 per person with a server on site, before delivery. Drop the server for a self-serve setup and it is closer to $40 per person. For full details on every service, see our pricing page.
Step 3: Plan for Every Guest
Every corporate menu includes vegetarian and vegan options, so plant-based colleagues are never stuck with a side salad. Collect allergies and dietary restrictions with your RSVPs and send them with your order. For gluten-free guests, our tips on hosting a gluten-free party apply at the office too.
If an employee follows a medically guided eating plan from a doctor or registered dietitian, share those guidelines and our chefs will prepare a plate to match. Our chefs execute plans set by licensed professionals; they do not design them.
Step 4: Lock In the Timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4 weeks out | Pick date, format and rough headcount. Request a quote. |
| 3 weeks out | Choose theme and selections. Pay the 50% deposit to hold your date. |
| 2 weeks out | Send RSVPs, allergies and dietary needs. Decide on servers and a bartender. |
| 1 week out | Confirm final headcount, delivery window and building access. |
| After the party | Balance is due the first business day after the event. |
Office Party vs. Restaurant Buyout
A restaurant buyout sounds simple until you see the food and beverage minimum. Atlanta’s top kitchens are also getting harder to book: Atlanta News First reported on two new Georgia Michelin-starred restaurants this October, and December private dining at the city’s best-known spots tends to go early.
Catering in your own space means no minimums, no travel for the team and a menu built around your people. It also keeps the party during the workday, which tends to mean better attendance.
Drinks and Getting Home
If you are serving alcohol, hire a bartender rather than leaving it to a colleague; it keeps pours consistent and takes the pressure off your team. For after-hours parties in Midtown, Downtown or Buckhead, remind people that MARTA is an easy way home. Want a team outing instead of a toast? Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden runs through January 10 and pairs well with a catered lunch beforehand.
Our food is prepared in a licensed catering kitchen. If your facilities team asks how caterers are regulated in Georgia, the Georgia Department of Public Health food service page has the details.
A Gift That Keeps Working After the Party
Looking for an employee or client gift? A personal chef gift certificate is a thank-you people actually use. It can go toward a private dinner, our Chef’s Selection meal delivery or our weekly custom dinner service, so busy team members get a few weeknights off in January. Hosting the family at home this year too? Our Christmas catering handles that table as well.
FAQs: Holiday Office Party Catering in Atlanta
How much does office party catering cost in Atlanta?
Our corporate menus run $26 to $36 per guest, all-inclusive of groceries, preparation and packaging. Add a 10% production charge, delivery at IRS mileage rates and any staff you need.
What is the minimum number of guests?
Every corporate menu has a 30-guest minimum. For smaller teams, ask about our plated dinners.
How far ahead should we book a holiday office party?
Three to four weeks is ideal. Weekday dates in early and mid-December are the first to go.
Do you provide servers and bartenders?
Yes. Servers and bartenders are $250 each for up to four hours, plus $60 per hour each after that.
Are vegetarian and vegan options included?
Yes, on every corporate menu. Send allergies and other dietary needs with your order.
How does payment work?
A 50% deposit reserves your date, and the balance is due the first business day after the event. Gratuity is optional for drop-off orders.
Book Your Holiday Office Party
Pick a format, give us a headcount and we will handle the rest. View the menus on our corporate catering page, call 404-913-4633, or contact our team to hold your date. And if you are still wondering what we do beyond the office, start at Atlanta Personal Chef Service.
