MenuWithPrice.net tracks catering menu prices from over 30 restaurant chains across the United States. Whether you’re ordering lunch for an office meeting, catering a birthday party, or feeding a large group at a corporate event — every brand on this page includes current pricing, minimum order requirements, and how to place your catering order.
Catering menu prices at chain restaurants typically range from $7 to $25 per person depending on the brand, menu selections, and group size. Most chains accept catering orders 24–48 hours in advance. Select any restaurant below to view its full catering menu with current prices and ordering details.
30+
Chains with catering menus
$7–$25
Typical price per person
24–48 hrs
Typical advance notice needed
Monthly
Verified & updated
Click any restaurant to view full catering menu with current prices, minimums, and ordering instructions — updated April 2026
$12–$17/person
$12–$16/person
$10–$18/person
$7–$13/person
$8–$14/person
$9–$14/person
$10–$15/person
$15–$25/person
How much does restaurant catering cost per person? Here’s what to budget for every type of event.
Prices are national averages for April 2026. Final costs depend on menu selections, location, and group size. Always request a quote from your local restaurant for exact pricing.
Different events need different catering. Here’s exactly which chain to choose based on your occasion.
$8–$14 per person
Professional, easy to handle, individually packaged preferred. Dietary variety important for mixed groups. Quick setup with no mess.
Best: Panera Bread · Subway · Jersey Mike’s · Potbelly
$10–$18 per person
Family-friendly, crowd-pleasing options. Trays and platters work well. Brands people recognize and love increase guest satisfaction.
Best: Chick-fil-A · Chipotle · Pizza Hut · Domino’s
$12–$20 per person
Variety for large mixed groups. Reliable on-time delivery. Clean presentation matters. Multiple dietary options essential.
Best: Chipotle · Olive Garden · Panera Bread · Panda Express
$8–$25 per person
Coffee + pastries combination works best. Early delivery required. Individual packaging preferred for grab-and-go ease.
Best: Starbucks · Dunkin’ · Panera Bread · IHOP · McDonald’s
$7–$12 per person
Budget-conscious. Kid-friendly options required. Many chains offer school fundraiser programs with percentage back to the school.
Best: Subway · Pizza Hut · Chick-fil-A · McDonald’s · Domino’s
$10–$16 per person
Minimum order sizes matter. Chains with experience in large orders. Delivery and setup capability becomes critical at this scale.
Best: Chipotle · Chick-fil-A · Olive Garden · KFC · Panda Express
Most chains accept catering orders 24–48 hours in advance. Some require 72 hours for large groups.
01
Choose your chain & menu
Select a restaurant based on your event type and guest count. Most chains have a dedicated catering menu separate from their regular menu — check it online before ordering.
02
Check the minimum order
Most chains require a minimum number of guests or a minimum spend. Chipotle requires 20 guests. Chick-fil-A requires 10. Subway starts at 7. Always confirm the minimum before committing.
03
Order 24–72 hours ahead
Most chains need at least 24 hours notice. For groups over 50 people, 48–72 hours is recommended. Starbucks and Panera prefer 24-hour advance orders. Same-day catering is rarely guaranteed.
04
Confirm delivery or pickup
Confirm whether your location offers catering delivery or pickup only. Olive Garden includes delivery and setup. Most fast food chains are pickup only. Always get a confirmation number for your order.
For groups of 50 or more, the chains with the most large-order experience and delivery capability are Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Olive Garden, KFC and Panda Express, at roughly $10–$16 per person. Chipotle’s Burritos by the Box and Chick-fil-A’s nugget and sandwich trays scale well, and Olive Garden includes delivery and setup. For large groups, order 48–72 hours ahead.
Most chains accept catering orders 24–48 hours in advance, and some require 72 hours for large groups. For gatherings over 50 people, 48–72 hours is recommended. Starbucks and Panera prefer at least 24 hours’ notice. Same-day catering is rarely guaranteed, so book as early as you can and get a confirmation number.
Papa John’s is among the cheapest at $7–$10 per person, with its $29 Family Special and mix-and-match options. Subway ($7–$13, minimum 7 guests) and McDonald’s ($7–$12, no minimum) are also budget-friendly, making them popular for school events and fundraisers. Pizza chains generally offer the lowest per-person cost for feeding a crowd.
Yes. Chipotle is one of the most popular catering chains, offering Burritos by the Box along with chips, salsa and guacamole at $12–$16 per person. It requires a minimum of 20 guests, the highest minimum among the major chains, which makes it best suited to parties and corporate events rather than small gatherings.
For office lunches and meetings, the top picks are Panera Bread, Subway, Jersey Mike’s and Potbelly at roughly $8–$14 per person. These chains offer individually packaged box lunches, dietary variety for mixed groups and quick, no-mess setup. For morning meetings, Starbucks and Dunkin’ coffee-and-pastry catering works best.
Not always. Olive Garden includes delivery and setup in its catering service, but most fast food chains are pickup only. Delivery availability varies by location, so confirm whether your local restaurant offers catering delivery or pickup when you place the order, and check whether any delivery fee is added to the per-person price.
“Secret menu items are fan-created customizations and are not officially endorsed by the restaurant chains. For official allergen and nutrition information visit FDA.gov.“
