How to Easily Order Lunch for Your Office: A Step-by-Step Guide

An easy guide to ordering office lunch, ensuring great food choices and smooth planning for any team occasion. Check how to order lunch to the office, following some tips to ease the process. 

Ordering lunch for the office can be a surprisingly tricky task, whether you’re organizing a meal for a team meeting, a work celebration, or just another busy day. Knowing how to order lunch to the office efficiently and selecting the right food is key to ensuring a smooth experience for everyone. 

This guide walks you through each step of the process, from choosing the best food to order for office lunch to keeping everyone’s preferences and office lunch etiquette in mind. With this simple step-by-step approach, you’ll master the art of office lunch planning, making it easy, organized, and enjoyable for the whole team.

Step 1: Determine the number of people and dietary needs

Before you dive into how to order lunch to the office, knowing how many people will be eating and understanding their dietary needs is very important, whether you’re ordering for one person or the entire team. 

The best way to gather this information efficiently is by sending a quick online survey or an office chat message where team members can indicate if they’ll be participating and list any dietary restrictions. 

Tools like Google Forms or a shared spreadsheet make this step simple and organized, helping you get a clear picture of everyone's preferences, from allergies to preferred food to order for office lunch. This preparation ensures you order the right amount and meet everyone's needs, making the experience enjoyable for all.

Step 2: Choose the right type of food

When it comes to food to order for office lunch, opting for versatile and popular choices like sandwiches, salads, wraps, and finger foods can be a real win. These options not only make it easy to cater to various tastes but also accommodate diverse dietary preferences, from vegetarian and gluten-free to low-carb.

If your team has a mix of preferences, try to include customizable options, like salad bowls or build-your-own wraps, so everyone can enjoy something they love. This selection keeps things simple yet satisfying, making lunchtime both enjoyable and inclusive.

Step 3: Set a budget 

Setting a budget is essential for how to order lunch to the office without overspending. Start by considering factors like the number of people, dietary needs, and the type of food you’re ordering. To keep costs manageable, look for catering options that offer group deals or lunch packages, which often come at a reduced price per person. 

Balancing variety with simplicity can also help, you don’t need a large menu for a great meal, just a few well-chosen items that satisfy different preferences. And if you’re ordering frequently, ask vendors about loyalty discounts or setting up a recurring account to save in the long run without sacrificing quality.

Step 4: Find a reliable vendor

Choosing a dependable catering service or food delivery platform is key when learning how to order lunch to the office smoothly. Start by researching vendors known for quality and reliability, like Picnicfood, which offers a range of menu options to fit various dietary needs. 

Look at customer reviews to assess reliability, especially for timely delivery and food quality. Additionally, check the vendor's menu variety—having options like sandwiches, salads, and finger foods can make it easier to meet everyone’s tastes. 

Strong customer service is another must; a vendor with responsive support can handle last-minute changes or special requests, ensuring a seamless office lunch experience.

Step 5: Place the order in advance

Ordering in advance is essential for a smooth process when planning food to order for office lunch. By placing your order ahead of time, you reduce the risk of late deliveries and ensure that the vendor has everything prepared to meet your needs. 

To make it even easier, coordinate delivery times that align with your team’s lunch break, and set a buffer in case of traffic delays. Always double-check your order details, like the number of meals, dietary requests, and delivery address, to avoid any last-minute issues. 

Step 6: Handling last-minute changes and issues

Even with the best planning, last-minute changes can happen when organizing food to order for office lunch. If unexpected guests show up or someone has a dietary request, try to have a backup plan in place, like adding extra portions or simple snacks. 

Keeping the vendor’s customer service contact handy is essential; a quick call can often resolve issues, whether it’s adding more items to the order or checking on a delayed delivery. 

In case of delays, consider notifying the team and providing light snacks to keep everyone comfortable until the food arrives. Being prepared for these situations ensures a smoother experience and keeps the office lunch enjoyable for all.

Office lunch etiquette: dos and don’ts

When organizing food to order for office lunch, a few etiquette rules can make the experience pleasant and hassle-free for everyone. Here are some essential dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

• Do consider portion sizes: order enough to satisfy everyone without going overboard. Excessive portions can lead to waste, while too little can leave some hungry, so aim for a balanced amount;
• Do handle leftovers thoughtfully: if food remains, see if anyone wants to take it home or save it for the next day. Don’t leave it sitting out or assume others will clean up;
• Don’t overlook cleanliness: ensure that any shared spaces, like conference rooms or break areas, are left clean. Dispose of trash properly and wipe down surfaces to keep things tidy;
• Do be mindful of strong-smelling foods: some office environments may not be ideal for dishes with overpowering aromas, so stick to neutral options unless everyone is on board.

By following these dos and don’ts, you help create a considerate and welcoming atmosphere, making office lunches enjoyable for all.

What are the best foods to order for an office lunch?

When deciding on the food to order for office lunch, aim for options that are easy to share, require minimal cleanup, and cater to diverse preferences. Here are some popular choices:

1. Pizza: a classic for a reason, pizza is easy to serve, offers variety with different toppings, and satisfies most palates;
2. Sushi platters: ideal for a mix of flavors, sushi offers vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, making it a hit among diverse groups;
3. Sandwich or wrap platters: these customizable choices come in a variety of fillings and are easy to grab and eat, with minimal mess;
4. Salad bowls: great for health-conscious team members, salad bowls allow for easy customization with toppings and dressings;
5. Mediterranean platters: items like hummus, pita, falafel, and kebabs are flavorful, easy to share, and cater to vegetarian and meat-eaters alike.

Make office lunch easy with Picnic Food: your go-to solution 

Ordering lunch for the office doesn’t have to be a juggling act! Following a few key steps—like planning for dietary needs, setting a budget, choosing the right type of food, and placing the order ahead of time—can make the whole process smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. 

Planning ahead is essential for a timely, stress-free experience, and this is where a professional service like Picnic Food can truly simplify things.

Picnic Food can truly simplify things. With a range of menu options to meet everyone’s tastes, Picnic Food makes it easy to accommodate dietary preferences and deliver on time, no matter the group size. 

To get started and explore tailored options for your office, check out Picnic Food’s office manager services at our website and make your next office lunch a breeze!

Read more:

• 24 Food Ideas for Work Meetings That Will Impress Your Team
• Top 15 Healthy Snacks to Keep You Energized at Work
• How to Start a Workplace Lunch Program Employees Will Love
• 20 Office Lunch catering ideas for your team