to plan your catering
Panera Bread is one of the most popular catering choices for offices, but the real cost and experience often fall short of expectations. Menu prices of $10 to $18 per person balloon to $15 to $22 all-in after delivery fees, tax, and tip. Catering items arrive with no dietary labels. And after a few rounds of sandwich platters, teams start asking for something different. Below are 10 Panera catering alternatives that deliver better value, clearer dietary information, or a welcome change of pace. For a full breakdown of what Panera offers, see our Panera Catering Guide.
In This Guide
Why Look Beyond Panera Catering?
Panera has real strengths: 2,000+ locations, same-day ordering with just over 2 hours’ notice, and individually boxed lunches that solve the portion-control problem. But five issues come up repeatedly when offices rely on Panera for recurring catering.
- No dietary labels on catering items. Panera’s retail menu shows calorie counts and allergens, but catering platters and boxed lunches arrive with no allergen tags, no vegan/vegetarian callouts, and no ingredient lists. Someone on your team has to manually cross-reference each item against the website.
- All-in costs are 30 to 40 percent higher than listed prices. A $12.39 boxed lunch becomes $16 to $18 after delivery, service charge, tax, and tip. A $100 sandwich platter is really $130 to $140. The menu price and the invoice price are rarely close.
- Carb-heavy menu with limited protein options. Bread, pastries, mac and cheese, chips, cookies. Panera’s menu is built around carbohydrates. Teams wanting higher-protein or lighter meals have a handful of salads and little else.
- Basic platter presentation. Sandwich and wrap platters arrive on standard black trays with no garnish. For client-facing lunches or events where presentation matters, the look is functional at best.
- Limited customization on platters. You cannot swap sandwiches within a Deluxe Assortment or modify platter compositions. Boxed lunches offer individual selection, but at the highest per-item price point on the menu.
If any of these sound familiar, here are 10 alternatives worth trying.
10 Panera Catering Alternatives for Your Office
1. Jason’s Deli: Lower Prices, Free Dessert, Allergen Labels
Jason’s Deli is Panera’s closest direct competitor, and its catering beats Panera on three fronts: lower per-person cost, a free dessert tray with every catering order, and allergen information included on catering items.
Quick stats: $10 to $16 per person | No minimum for boxed meals | 24 hours lead time | 250+ locations
The catering menu covers sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, and baked potatoes, all in a format that feels familiar if you have been ordering from Panera. Boxed lunches run $2 to $3 less per person. The free dessert tray (brownies, cookies, or lemon bars) is included with orders over a modest threshold. Jason’s Deli also includes allergen callouts on its catering menus, something Panera still does not do. The trade-off is geography: Jason’s Deli has roughly 250 locations concentrated in the South and East, compared to Panera’s 2,000+.
Order tip: Order at jasonsdeli.com/catering. The Manager’s Choice box lunch is the best value. For more sandwich catering options, browse local delis on Zerocater.
2. McAlister’s Deli: Soup-and-Sandwich Combos with Free Tea
McAlister’s pairs sandwiches with soups and sides better than Panera does at the catering level, and its famous free sweet tea comes with every order.
Quick stats: $9 to $14 per person | Deli tray minimums serve 8+ | 24 hours lead time | 530+ locations
The catering menu includes sandwich trays, box lunches, soup-and-sandwich combos, and the Giant Spud (loaded baked potato), a unique option no other chain on this list offers. McAlister’s box lunches include a sandwich, chips, a pickle, and a cookie for $9 to $11 per person, undercutting Panera’s boxed lunch pricing. Sweet tea comes in bulk catering totes at no extra charge. McAlister’s is strongest in the Southeast, Midwest, and South, with 530+ locations and growing.
Order tip: Order at mcalistersdeli.com/catering. The Choose Any Two combo (half sandwich + soup or salad) is the best format for meetings where people want variety.
3. Potbelly: Toasted Subs, Budget-Friendly
Potbelly’s boxed lunches deliver the same sandwich-chips-cookie format as Panera for $3 to $4 less per person, and the toasted subs have more personality than Panera’s cold-cut sandwiches.
Quick stats: $8 to $12 per person | Box lunch minimum 6+ | Same-day available (2 hours) | 400+ locations
Each boxed lunch includes a toasted sub, chips, a cookie, and a pickle. The subs are made to order and toasted, which gives them a texture and warmth that Panera’s pre-made sandwiches lack. Potbelly also runs a Perks loyalty program that works on catering orders, stacking savings over time. The trade-off: Potbelly’s catering menu is narrower than Panera’s. No soups, no salad platters, no mac and cheese. If you need more than subs, you will need to supplement.
Order tip: Order at potbelly.com/catering. Same-day orders are available at most locations with 2 hours’ notice.
4. Jersey Mike’s: Fresh-Sliced, Giant Subs for Groups
Jersey Mike’s slices meats and cheeses fresh to order (not pre-packaged), and its Giant Sub format feeds large groups at $9 to $10 per person, well below Panera’s platter pricing.
Quick stats: $8 to $13 per person | Giant Subs (3 to 6 ft) or Catering Boxes | Same-day available | 2,500+ locations
The Giant Sub is the star of Jersey Mike’s catering: a 3-foot or 6-foot sub sliced into individual portions, serving 10 to 25 people. At $9 to $10 per person, it is one of the most cost-effective ways to feed a large group. Individual Catering Boxes (sub, chips, cookie) run $10 to $13 per person. Jersey Mike’s has more locations than Panera (2,500+), and same-day ordering is available at most. The limitation: subs only. No soups, salads, or breakfast items.
Order tip: Order at jerseymikes.com/catering. For groups over 15, the Giant Sub is better value than individual boxes. Browse more sandwich catering on Zerocater.
5. Einstein Bros. Bagels: Breakfast Catering That Beats Panera’s
Einstein Bros. outperforms Panera on breakfast catering with lower prices, more variety, and a format built specifically for morning meetings.
Quick stats: $7 to $14 per person | Bagel Box (13 bagels) starts at ~$24 | 24 hours lead time | 700+ locations
Panera’s breakfast catering is decent, but Einstein’s is purpose-built for it. Bagel boxes with cream cheese spreads run $7 to $10 per person, cheaper than Panera’s morning continental. Hot breakfast sandwiches, Nova Lox platters, and catering-size fruit trays round out the menu. Einstein also does lunch catering (signature sandwiches on bagels). The brand is part of the same parent company as Panera (Panera Brands), but the breakfast execution is sharper. For even more bagel variety, check out local shops like Murray’s Bagels in NYC, Schlok’s Bagels in SF, or Holy Bagel in Chicago through Zerocater.
Order tip: Order at einsteinbros.com/catering. Pair a Bagel Box with a coffee tote for a complete breakfast setup under $12 per person.
6. Sweetgreen: Health-Forward with Clear Dietary Labels
Sweetgreen fills the gap Panera tries to fill with its salad menu but does it with better ingredients, clearer dietary labeling, and seasonal rotation.
Quick stats: $12 to $18 per person | Group Bowls (4 to 5 servings) or individual | Same-day available in some markets | 220+ locations
Every Sweetgreen item comes with prominent calorie counts, allergen flags, and dietary labels (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free). This is the single biggest advantage over Panera’s catering, which provides none of that information. The food is seasonal and plant-forward: grain bowls, warm salads, and hearty plates. Sweetgreen’s Outpost program offers free recurring delivery to offices, making it strong for weekly programs. The trade-off is price. Sweetgreen runs 30 to 50 percent more than Panera per person. But for teams that value fresh, labeled, health-forward food, the premium is justified.
Order tip: Set up Sweetgreen Outpost for recurring office delivery. Also explore local salad caterers like Just Salad in NYC or Saucy Greens in SF through Zerocater for more variety.
7. CAVA: Mediterranean Bowls with Built-In Dietary Variety
CAVA’s build-your-own Mediterranean bowls and pitas handle dietary variety better than any single chain on this list, with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options baked into the core menu.
Quick stats: $10 to $15 per person | Catering trays serve 6+ | 24 hours lead time | 350+ locations
CAVA’s catering menu includes build-your-own bowl bars, pita bars, and dip-and-spread platters. Harissa, crazy feta, and grain-forward bases give the food more character than Panera’s Mediterranean Veggie sandwich. For offices tired of bread-heavy catering, CAVA’s grain bowls are a natural replacement. CAVA has been growing rapidly (doubling locations over the past two years) and is available in most major metro areas. For even more Mediterranean options, browse Mediterranean catering on Zerocater.
Order tip: Order through cava.com/catering. The Group Bowl format (serves 6) is the most cost-effective for meetings.
8. Chick-fil-A: Crowd-Pleaser at a Lower Price
Chick-fil-A catering runs $7 to $12 per person with near-universal crowd appeal, making it one of the most cost-effective Panera alternatives for large groups. For a full breakdown of the catering menu and pricing, see our Chick-fil-A Catering Guide.
Quick stats: $7 to $12 per person | Nugget Trays serve 8+ | Same-day available at most locations | 3,000+ locations
Nugget trays, chicken sandwich trays, and chicken biscuit trays are the catering staples. Chick-fil-A also offers fruit cups, side salads, and cookies and brownies trays to round out an order. Breakfast catering is strong (chicken biscuits, fruit, and coffee for under $10 per person). The food generates fewer complaints than almost any other chain. The trade-offs: Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, and the menu does not cater well to plant-based eaters. Vegetarian options are limited to salads and fruit.
Order tip: Order at chick-fil-a.com/catering. Nugget Trays are the best value per person. Add a fruit tray to cover lighter eaters.
9. Chipotle: Build-Your-Own for Bigger Groups
Chipotle’s build-your-own format handles dietary variety better than Panera’s fixed-menu platters, and the per-person cost is comparable. For a detailed menu and pricing guide, see our Chipotle Catering Guide. For even more Mexican and build-your-own options, see our Chipotle Catering Alternatives.
Quick stats: $8.75 to $14.50 per person | Build Your Own (10+ people) | 24 hours lead time | 3,500+ locations
Chipotle’s catering works well for groups of 15 or more where dietary variety matters. Guests choose their own proteins, toppings, and base (rice bowl, burrito, tacos, or salad), which naturally accommodates vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets without special orders. The base price is competitive with Panera, and guacamole is the main add-on cost ($2.60 per entree or $50 per tray). The trade-off: 24-hour lead time (Panera’s 2 hours is faster), drop-off only with no setup help, and the last people through the buffet line often get smaller portions.
Order tip: Order through chipotle.com/catering. For groups over 20, choose the Build Your Own format over Burritos by the Box for better value.
10. Local Caterers via Zerocater: The Full Upgrade
The biggest limitation of every chain on this list is that you are ordering from a single restaurant with a fixed menu. When you order through Zerocater, you get access to 1,000+ vetted caterers across every cuisine: delis, bakeries, salad bars, Mediterranean, Asian, BBQ, and more. Order from a local deli this week and a poke bowl caterer next week, all through one platform.
Quick stats: Varies by caterer | Same-day ordering available | Staffed service options | Available in major metro areas
What sets local caterers apart from chains: better ingredients, recipes developed by actual chefs rather than corporate R&D, and the option to add setup staff, serving attendants, and cleanup. For teams that cater regularly, variety is the number-one factor in employee satisfaction, and no single chain can deliver that. Browse sandwich and deli caterers in your city, including Bagel Market and Just Salad in NYC, Saucy Greens in SF, and Celine’s Delicatessen in Seattle.
With CaterAi, you describe your event (headcount, budget, dietary needs) and get custom menu suggestions from multiple restaurants in minutes. No browsing menus, no calling vendors, no spreadsheet of phone numbers. Try CaterAi now.
Panera Alternatives at a Glance
| Alternative | Cuisine | Price/Person | Min Order | Lead Time | Free Extras | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason’s Deli | Deli/American | $10–$16 | None | 24 hours | Dessert tray | Direct Panera swap with allergen labels |
| McAlister’s | Deli/American | $9–$14 | 8 people | 24 hours | Sweet tea | Soup-sandwich combos, Southeast offices |
| Potbelly | Subs | $8–$12 | 6 boxes | Same day | Pickle | Budget boxed lunches, quick turnaround |
| Jersey Mike’s | Subs | $8–$13 | 10 people | Same day | None | Large groups (Giant Subs), fresh-sliced |
| Einstein Bros. | Bagels/Breakfast | $7–$14 | None | 24 hours | Cream cheese | Morning meetings, breakfast catering |
| Sweetgreen | Salads/Bowls | $12–$18 | Varies | Same day | None | Health-conscious teams, dietary labels |
| CAVA | Mediterranean | $10–$15 | 6 people | 24 hours | Pita chips | Dietary variety, grain bowls |
| Chick-fil-A | Chicken | $7–$12 | 8 people | Same day | Sauces | Large groups, universal crowd appeal |
| Chipotle | Mexican | $8.75–$14.50 | 10 people | 24 hours | Chips | Build-your-own, dietary flexibility |
| Local via Zerocater | Any | Varies | Varies | Same day | Setup staff | Variety, staffed events, recurring programs |
Panera for reference: $10 to $18 per person ($15 to $22 all-in), 2-hour 15-minute lead time, sandwiches/soups/salads, no dietary labels on catering items.
Skip the Chain: Order Local Through CaterAi
Every chain on this list solves one or two of Panera’s limitations, but they all share the same fundamental constraint: you are ordering from a single restaurant with a fixed menu. For offices that cater regularly, the real upgrade is switching to a platform that gives you access to hundreds of restaurants.
Zerocater connects your office with 1,000+ vetted caterers across every cuisine. Order from a local deli on Monday, a salad bar on Wednesday, and a Mediterranean caterer on Friday. Every order is managed by Zerocater’s operations team: reliable delivery, proper setup, and a real person to call if anything goes wrong.
Why offices switch from chain catering to Zerocater:
- Access to hundreds of local restaurants, not just one chain menu
- Same-day ordering available for many caterers
- Staffed service, setup, and cleanup options
- Built-in dietary filtering (vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and more)
- One platform for events, daily meals, and ongoing meal programs
With CaterAi, you describe your event and get custom menu suggestions from multiple restaurants in minutes. No browsing menus, no calling vendors, no spreadsheet of phone numbers. Share your headcount, budget, and dietary needs, and CaterAi builds the plan.
Plan Your Office Catering with CaterAi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest alternative to Panera catering?
Potbelly and Chick-fil-A are the most budget-friendly options, both running $7 to $12 per person. Einstein Bros. Bagels is also competitive at $7 to $14, especially for breakfast. All three come in well below Panera’s $15 to $22 all-in cost per person.
Which Panera alternative has the best dietary labeling?
Sweetgreen and Jason’s Deli both provide clear allergen and dietary labels on catering items, which Panera does not. For the best dietary filtering across many restaurants, CaterAi lets you filter by vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and more.
Can I get same-day catering like Panera from other chains?
Yes. Potbelly, Jersey Mike’s, and Chick-fil-A all offer same-day catering with roughly 2 hours’ notice. Sweetgreen offers same-day in select markets. CaterAi also provides same-day ordering from many local caterers.
What is a good breakfast catering alternative to Panera?
Einstein Bros. Bagels is the strongest breakfast alternative. Bagel boxes run $7 to $10 per person, and the variety of spreads and hot sandwiches is broader than Panera’s breakfast menu. Chick-fil-A also offers solid breakfast catering with chicken biscuit trays. For local options, browse bakeries and bagel shops on Zerocater.
Are there boxed lunch alternatives cheaper than Panera?
Yes. Potbelly boxed lunches run $8 to $12 per person, roughly $3 to $4 less than Panera’s at $12 to $16. Jason’s Deli boxed lunches are $2 to $3 cheaper and include a free dessert tray. Jersey Mike’s subs can be boxed individually for $8 to $13 per person. For a deeper look at boxed lunch options, see our Boxed Lunch Catering Guide.
What is the best catering option for offices with mixed dietary needs?
A catering platform like CaterAi is ideal because you can order from multiple restaurants in one order, covering vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and other requirements simultaneously. Among individual chains, CAVA and Sweetgreen both build dietary variety into their core menus. For detailed strategies, see our guide to ordering catering for mixed dietary needs.
Related guides: Panera Catering Guide | Chipotle Catering Guide | Chipotle Catering Alternatives | Chick-fil-A Catering Guide | Olive Garden Catering Guide | Best Catering in NYC | San Francisco | Chicago | Chicago Catering Costs | Boxed Lunch Catering | Mixed Dietary Needs
