Start with headcount, meeting length and eating style
Before you place an order, count the people who will actually eat, not just the people invited. A 12 person meeting with two late arrivals and one vegetarian request needs a different setup from a full staff lunch for 40, especially if people are moving between calls or working through a training session.
Think about the format as well. If staff will eat at their counters, boxed meals and neat portion control work best. If it is a longer lunch break, platters and shared sides can suit a more relaxed group. For offices in Braamfontein, Sandton, Randburg and Centurion, timing matters too because traffic, lift access and parking can all affect delivery by a few minutes.
Choose the right mix of boxes, platters and sides
Good office catering usually needs a simple balance: one main item, one or two sides and enough variety for different appetites. Chicken boxes suit formal meetings because they are easy to hand out, while platters work well for team lunches where people can serve themselves. If the group is mixed, a combination of wings, family bulk portions and lighter side options keeps things fair.
- Meal boxes for neat, individual portions
- Wings platters for sharing during longer meetings
- Family bulk orders for larger teams and informal breaks
- Sides such as chips, coleslaw or starch to stretch the meal
- Extra sauce or seasoning for staff who like more heat
For offices in Johannesburg city centre or Midrand, boxes are often the easiest choice when there is limited table space. Platters suit common areas, boardrooms and end of month team lunches better.
Plan delivery timing around load-shedding and lunch breaks
Office catering works best when food arrives just before people are ready to eat. If lunch starts at 13:00, aim for delivery around 12:30 to 12:45 so there is time for setup, especially if the building has security sign-in, basement parking or a long walk from reception. That buffer also helps when there is load-shedding, because lifts, access gates and office equipment can slow things down.
Tell us whether the food should go to reception, a floor supervisor or a meeting room. In Braamfontein and Newtown, where access can be tighter, clear directions save time. In Soweto or Pretoria Central, gate access and parking instructions matter just as much. A small note on the order can prevent a rushed handover.
- Share the delivery floor, room name and contact person
- Allow extra time for security checks and parking
- Let us know if food must stay hot for a set period
- Flag any power interruptions or generator use at the venue
Keep special diets simple and clear
Office groups often need a few different meal options and the easiest way to handle that is to separate them clearly. If someone needs milder seasoning, smaller portions or a different side, include that in the order notes so packing can be done properly. Clear labelling also helps when meals are being handed out quickly before a meeting starts.
Where possible, order enough variety for the whole team instead of trying to customise every single box. That keeps the service moving and helps avoid confusion at handover. For corporate lunches in Sandton, Randburg and Centurion, many clients prefer one main order with a few marked alternatives rather than lots of separate requests.
A practical office catering checklist before you send the form
Use this checklist to avoid missing anything important. It keeps the process straightforward and helps the kitchen pack the right amount for your team.
- Confirm the date and lunch time
- Count the exact number of eaters
- Choose boxes, platters or a mix
- Decide on sides and sauce
- Note any dietary requests
- Add the delivery address, floor and contact person
- Check if there is security, parking or access control
- Say whether the food is for a meeting, training day or staff lunch
When those basics are in place, office catering becomes much easier to manage. It also reduces waste, which matters when you are feeding a busy team and trying to stay within budget.
When office catering is the right fit for your team
Office catering is useful for more than Friday lunches. It works for training sessions, client visits, year-end functions, staff appreciation days, launch meetings and long workshop days when people need a proper meal, not just snacks. For larger workplaces in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Midrand, regular lunch drops can save time on admin and keep the day moving.
Kung Fu Chicken also handles delivery and setup for office orders, which helps when the team needs food arranged quickly and neatly. Our branches and service areas across Braamfontein, Soweto, Pretoria Central, Midrand, Newtown, Sandton, Centurion and Randburg make it easier to get meals where they need to be, without a long wait.
