Office Breakfast Catering Ideas You’ll Love in 2024

Providing breakfast catering for your office is becoming an increasingly popular perk that offers many benefits. As the most important meal of the day, starting with a nutritious and satisfying breakfast sets employees up for success and improves productivity. Breakfast catering shows employees that their needs are valued and builds morale. It’s also a great way to boost collaboration and creativity by giving people a reason to gather in the morning.

The trend of offering office breakfast catering has been growing steadily in recent years. More and more companies are realizing the positive impact it can have. Catered breakfasts create a pleasant morning routine that people look forward to. They bring people together at the start of the workday and provide energy when needed most. With so many great breakfast options available, providing something delicious and nutritious for all dietary needs and preferences is easy.

Providing breakfast catering has become an expected norm at many modern workplaces. Companies seek additional perks to attract employees as competition for top talent increases. Catered breakfasts are affordable perks that show your team that you care about their needs. Learn more in this blog post by The Office Caterer.

Contents

1 Most Popular Breakfast Catering Options
2 Healthy and Nutritious Choices
3 Budget-Friendly Ideas
4 Customizable Options
5 Morning Beverages
6 Breakfast Catering Setup Tips
7 Working with Caterers
8 Breakfast Catering Dos and Don’ts
- 8.1 Do
- 8.2 Don’t
9 FAQs
10 In Conclusion

Healthy and Nutritious Choices

When catering breakfast for the office, it’s important to provide nutritious options to fuel your team for the workday ahead.

Some healthy breakfast catering ideas that will be loved in 2024 include:

Oatmeal – A warm, filling, and nutritious breakfast. Oatmeal can be customized with toppings like fruit, nuts, seeds, brown sugar, or maple syrup. Overnight oats are another easy option.
Greek Yogurt – High in protein, Greek yogurt makes a great breakfast. Serve plain, or create a yogurt bar with granola, fresh berries, honey, etc.
Fruit Salad—Fresh fruit is always a crowd-pleaser. Create a salad or skewers with a variety of fruits, such as melon, berries, pineapple, grapes, etc.
Chia Pudding – Made with chia seeds, milk/yogurt, and flavors like vanilla, cocoa, or fruit, chia pudding is filling and packed with nutrients. Top with granola or fruit.
Breakfast Tacos: For a nutritious Tex-Mex-style option, fill whole wheat tortillas with scrambled eggs, black beans, salsa, and avocado.

Providing healthy choices is important for employee wellbeing and performance. Focus on nutritious ingredients, whole grains, lean proteins, fruits/veggies, and limit sugar.

Budget-Friendly Ideas

It’s important to keep costs down when catering breakfast for the office. Here are some tips for affordable options that won’t break the bank:

Focus on cheaper ingredients like eggs, oatmeal, bagels, fruit, yogurt, and coffee. These basic breakfast items can be purchased in bulk for cost savings.
Take advantage of discounts from grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Buying larger quantities usually results in lower per-unit pricing.
Consider making breakfast casseroles, sandwiches, burritos, and muffins yourself. Preparing food in-house avoids delivery fees and service charges.
Offer a continental breakfast spread of coffee, fruit, pastries, cereal, and yogurt. This is an easy self-serve option that only requires a little active cooking.
Stick to grab-and-go items like breakfast bars, croissants, danishes, and fruit cups. These are inexpensive and easy to distribute.
Use disposable plates, utensils, and napkins to reduce rentals, washing, and staffing costs.
When ordering catering, take advantage of coupons, sales, and seasonal discounts. Being flexible on the menu can lead to big savings.
Ask the caterer about lower pricing for simplified menus or stations vs. full-service options. Simplifying can trim labor and presentation costs.

With some creative planning, you can provide quality breakfast catering that makes the office happy while keeping within a budget. Focus on cheap but filling options in bulk, and look for ways to save on ingredients, preparation, staffing, and presentation costs.

Customizable Options

When catering breakfast for the office, it’s important to provide options accommodating different preferences and diets.

Here are some tips for creating a customizable breakfast spread:

Offer an assortment of hot and cold breakfast items so people can choose what appeals to them. Good hot choices include breakfast sandwiches, burritos, oatmeal, and casseroles. Bagels, muffins, yogurt, fruit, and granola are crowd-pleasers for cold items.
Provide a variety of proteins like eggs, turkey sausage, bacon, and veggie sausage so people can find a breakfast sandwich or wrap with their preferred protein.
Set up a build-your-own parfait bar with yogurt, granola, fresh fruit, chia seeds, shredded coconut, and other creative toppings. This allows people to create a customized, healthy breakfast.
Provide flavored creamers, sweeteners, lemons, and an assortment of herbal tea bags to let people customize their coffee and tea.
Please set up a waffle maker, oatmeal station, or omelet station where people can create their perfect breakfast. Toppings like fruit, nuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon allow further customization.

The key is offering a variety of breakfast foods and ways for people to tailor it to their preferences. With a mix of hot and cold items, proteins, and build-your-own stations, you can create a breakfast spread with something for everyone.

Morning Beverages

Providing tasty morning beverages is an important part of breakfast catering.

Here are some popular options to consider:

Coffee

This breakfast staple is a must. On the side, offer regular and decaf milk, cream, sugar, and sweeteners. Have a thermos on hand to keep coffee hot. Consider offering specialty coffee drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, etc.

Tea

Serve a variety of hot tea bags, lemon wedges, honey, and milk/cream. Iced tea is also refreshing in the morning.

Juice

Fresh-squeezed orange juice is ideal, but juice blends or bottled juices also work. Consider a juice bar where guests can customize their combinations.

Smoothies

These make a nutritious morning treat. Offer an assortment of fruits, greens, proteins, and mixins so guests can craft their own.

Hot chocolate

Provide hot cocoa with marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings for a cozy morning option.

Milk

In addition to coffee and tea, keep chilled milk on hand for cereal, oatmeal, or just drinking. Consider different varieties, such as dairy, almond, and soy.

Morning beverages like these will leave your guests refreshed, caffeinated, and ready to start their work days. It’s an important detail that can make your office breakfast catering top-notch.

Breakfast Catering Setup Tips

Arranging a breakfast catering setup for the office can be simple. With some planning and preparation, you can create a smooth catering experience that delights your team.

Choose a Serving Style

Consider your office layout and team preferences when deciding on a serving style. Buffet lines allow easy access but can create bottlenecks. Individual boxes or bags provide grab-and-go convenience but require more packaging. A family-style meal at large tables encourages socializing.

Use Disposable Supplies

Provide disposable plates, utensils, and napkins to simplify cleanup. Compostable products are earth-friendly options. Have a trash bin nearby so people can easily dispose of their items after eating.

Offer Both Seated and Standing Areas

Allow flexibility for people to sit at tables or stand while they eat. Having both types of spaces available prevents crowding. High-top tables are great for standing areas.

Set Up Stations

Break up the buffet line into stations for smoother flow. Have coffee, juice, fruit, pastries, hot dishes, utensils, and napkins at different spots so people aren’t bottlenecked.

Use Signage

Post signs indicating what’s offered at each station. List key ingredients for those with allergies. Have directional signs to guide people through the buffet line.

Keep it Neat

Make sure tables are wiped down, and floors are free of spills. Have extra utensils, plates, and napkins on hand for replacements. Tidy up as needed throughout the breakfast.

Working with Caterers

When working with caterers for your office breakfast, follow these tips to find and select a reliable provider:

Vet Potential Caterers Thoroughly

Read reviews online and ask for references to get feedback from past clients. A caterer that consistently delivers quality food and service will have great reviews and be happy to provide references.
Request taste tests of potential caterers’ most popular breakfast items. This allows you to sample the food quality before committing.
Ask detailed questions about their experience, licenses, insurance, and kitchen facilities. Legitimate caterers will gladly provide this information.
Inquire about their food safety, delivery, setup, and cleanup processes. Look for caterers with excellent procedures in place.

Review Menus and Ordering

Caterers should provide diverse breakfast menus with healthy and indulgent options to please all preferences. Request sample menus to find one that aligns with your office’s tastes.
Ask about menu customization options, such as adding/removing items or accommodating dietary needs. Good caterers will work with you to create a personalized menu.
Understand the caterer’s ordering process and timeline. Most require final headcounts and menu selections several days in advance.
Clarify how leftovers will be handled. Reputable caterers will package and label leftovers for easy refrigerated storage.

Establish Clear Contracts

Review catering contracts thoroughly and clarify any questions before signing. The contract should define menus, headcounts, delivery, setup, etc.
Ensure the contract specifies pricing per person, including taxes, fees, and gratuities. There should be no hidden costs.
Confirm what items the caterer will provide, such as tables, linens, plates, utensils, etc. If needed, arrange to rent additional items.
Agree on payment terms, deposits, and cancellation policies upfront so there are no surprises later.

Following these tips will lead you to a breakfast caterer that delivers delicious food and stellar service for your office functions.

Breakfast Catering Dos and Don’ts

When planning office breakfast catering, keep these dos and don’ts in mind for success:

Do

Provide a variety of options to satisfy different tastes and diets. Offer healthy choices like yogurt parfaits, fruit, oatmeal, and indulgent treats like pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and quiche.
Consider grab-and-go items for busy employees. Pre-packaged breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and yogurts with granola make it easy to eat at their desk.
Offer beverages like coffee, tea, juice, and water. Stay stocked on the essential caffeine!
Set up a self-serve buffet for efficiency. Allow people to grab food and beverages as needed.
Keep portions small, so there are options for everyone. Bite-sized muffins, mini quiches, and yogurt cups work well.
Check for food allergies and restrictions. Have allergy-friendly and vegetarian/vegan choices available.

Don’t

Skimp on quality to cut costs. Cheap food can seem unpalatable. Invest in decent ingredients.
Let the food sit out for too long, unrefrigerated. Follow food safety guidelines.
You may run out of popular menu items like bacon, coffee, and orange juice. Monitor supplies and replenish as needed.
Make it a free-for-all. Have order to avoid crowding and confusion.
Serve messy or hard-to-eat foods. Avoid runny eggs or syrup-drenched pastries.
Make it mandatory. Not everyone may want breakfast. Allow flexibility.

Following these simple dos and don’ts will lead to happy and satisfied employees at your office breakfast catering event. Start their day off right with tasty food and beverage options!

FAQs

You asked, we answered:

What Options Are Available for Office Breakfast Catering?

Office breakfast catering can range from Continental breakfast options, including pastries, fruit, and coffee, to hot breakfast buffets featuring items like scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, and waffles. Many caterers also offer healthy options such as yogurt parfaits, smoothies, and oatmeal bars. The choice depends on your budget, the dietary preferences of your team, and the event’s formality.

How Can I Accommodate Different Dietary Needs with Breakfast Catering?

To accommodate various dietary needs, consider including a range of options such as gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian selections. Items like fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt can cater to most dietary restrictions. Always communicate any specific dietary requirements to your caterer in advance so they can prepare suitable alternatives.

How Much Does Office Breakfast Catering Cost?

The cost of office breakfast catering can vary widely depending on the menu selection, the number of attendees, and the caterer’s pricing structure. Options like Continental breakfasts are generally more affordable, while full hot breakfasts will be at the higher end of the price spectrum. Ask for detailed quotes from several caterers to find one that fits your budget and meets your needs.

How Do I Estimate How Much Food to Order?

A general rule of thumb is to provide one to two main dishes per person, with varying amounts of side items. Portion sizes can differ based on the type of food and the time your event takes place. Your caterer can provide guidance based on their experience and the specifics of your event, ensuring there’s sufficient food without significant wastage.

In Conclusion

Investing in office breakfast catering pays big dividends in happy, healthy, and productive employees. It’s a perk to make your office where people want to work. The Office Caterer is here to make sure they start their day off right with delicious morning meals they’ll love. Contact us today to book your caterer.