Catering for 50 People
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Fifty people is where the serving line becomes the plan. One buffet line serves the room in about 15 minutes, serving from both sides halves that, and boxed meals skip the line. Size the pans or meals with the calculator, then choose from 872 catering partners with buffet and bar menus.
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Boxed Meals 
Breakfast 
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Dinner
What groups of 40 to 60 people spent
- $16 to $24per person, before tax
- $780 to $1,200typical order total
- 1 to 15 daysordered ahead
- 872catering partners below
Zerocater lunch orders, January 2025 to September 2026. Middle half of orders, before tax.
Size your order
What to order: lunch for 50 people, buffet
| Plates | 63 |
|---|---|
| Pans per main dish | 2 |
| Pans per side dish | 2 to 3 |
| Serving lines | 1 |
| Time to serve everyone | about 15 minutes (8 serving from both sides) |
Lunch orders for groups this size cost $16 to $24 a person before tax. Estimated for 50 people: about $800 to $1,200. Half were placed 1 to 15 days ahead.
What to order for 50 people
The same numbers the calculator gives, for every way of serving the food. Counts round up to whole units.
| Meals to order | 53 to 55 |
|---|---|
| Spares included | 3 to 5 |
| Plates | 63 |
|---|---|
| Pans per main dish | 2 |
| Pans per side dish | 2 to 3 |
| Serving lines | 1 |
| Time to serve everyone | about 15 minutes (8 serving from both sides) |
| Medium main trays (each feeds 12 to 15) | 4 to 5 |
|---|---|
| Vegetable trays | 2 to 3 |
| Fruit trays | 2 to 3 |
| Dessert trays | 3 |
| Serving lines | 2 |
|---|---|
| Taco bar | |
| Tacos | 150 to 200 |
| Tortillas | 200 to 250 |
| Cooked protein (lb) | 13 to 19 |
| Pasta bar | |
| Dry pasta (lb) | 13 to 16 |
| Sauce (quarts) | 7 |
| Protein (lb) | 7 |
| Salad bar | |
| Greens (lb) | 7 to 10 |
| Protein (lb) | 7 to 10 |
| Dressing (quarts) | 4 |
| Sandwich bar | |
| Sandwiches | 75 |
| Deli meat (lb) | 10 to 13 |
| Pieces, before a meal | 150 to 250 |
|---|---|
| Pieces, with drinks | 400 |
| Pieces, as a light meal | 500 to 600 |
| Pieces, instead of dinner | 600 to 750 |
Lunch orders for groups this size cost $16 to $24 a person before tax. Estimated for 50 people: about $800 to $1,200. Half were placed 1 to 15 days ahead.
Browse 872 catering partners for 40 to 60 people
Los Angeles, CA Bling Bling Dumpling Individual Boxed East Asian Fusion 
Evanston, IL Bluestone Mexican 
Round Rock, TX BO Asian Bistro Individual Boxed Southeast Asian 
South San Francisco, CA Bobcha SF Individual Boxed Mexican 
Brooklyn, NY Bogota Latin Bistro Individual Boxed Mexican 
San Jose, CA Boltiful Fresh Kitchen Individual Boxed Central American 
San Jose, CA Bona Pizza North American 
Chicago, IL BonBon Sandwiches Individual Boxed Thai 
Washington, DC Boogy & Peel Individual Boxed North American 
Austin, TX Borderless Hospitality Individual Boxed Mexican 
New York City, NY Borough Greens Individual Boxed Hawaiian 
Boston, MA Boston Kebab House Individual Boxed Greek 
Boston, MA Bottega Del Sud Southwest European 
South San Francisco, CA Bowl Appetit Individual Boxed Thai 
Lakewood, CO Bowlito Mexican 
Denver, CO Bowls by KO Central American 
Chicago, IL Brazilian Bowl Fresh Grill Individual Boxed South American Fusion 
New York City, NY Breakfast by Cafe Metro North American 
New York City, NY Breakfast by Metro Marche North American 
Lakewood, CO Breakfast by MHC Individual Boxed Mexican 
New York City, NY Breakfast by Oxford Cafe Western European 
New York City, NY Breakfast by Saperavi Individual Boxed Eastern European 
Astoria, NY Breakfast Specials by Grand Affaire Catering Western European 
New York City, NY Brine Individual Boxed North American Show more
Over 1,000 catering partners offering diverse menus for any occasion
Lynnwood, WA Pier 88 Boiling Seafood and Bar Cajun 
Seattle, WA Chennai Express East Asian 
San Francisco, CA Palmita North American 
New York City, NY Sullivan Taqueria Central American 
New York City, NY Best Bagel & Coffee Deli Italian 
Newark, CA Desi Street Food North American 
Chicago, IL Phil's Italian D'oro Italian 
Jersey City, NJ Casa Cubana Cuban Restaurant and Catering North American 
San Jose, CA Cali Caracas Venezuelan Food Venezuelan 
San Jose, CA Yakitori Harue East Asian 
Boston, MA Ben's Fast Food North American 
Englewood, CO The Monk's Fusion Cuisine South Asian Fusion 
New York City, NY Teriyaki Express East Asian 
Chicago, IL Elephant + Vine East Asian 
Philadelphia, PA Fuel Healthy Kitchen North American 
New York City, NY Schnipper's – Lex Ave North American 
Southlake, TX Taziki's Southwest European 
Oakland, CA Lotus and Lime Southeast Asian 
San Francisco, CA Peasant Pies North American 
San Francisco, CA Cezánne Market Italian 
Chicago, IL Koko's Mediterranean Grill Mediterranean / Middle Eastern 
New York City, NY Baked Cravings North American 
San Francisco, CA Moonlight Cafe North American 
Torrance, CA Breakfast by T's Catering North American 
North Hollywood, CA Buena Onda by Food Fetish Catering Central American 
Sunnyvale, CA Ben's Fast Food North American 
San Jose, CA The Waffle and the Rooster North American 
Pasadena, CA Umami Express East Asian 
Everett, MA Zuzu Momo Restaurant and Bar Indian 
Atlanta, GA Oak & Ember BBQ North American Use My Location
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