What is a corporate lunch box?

A corporate lunch box is an individual box of ready-to-eat food and drink that a company orders for each attendee at a meeting, a training session or a full-day event. Each person gets a sealed box, either the same as everyone else’s or adapted to their diet; when the box is divided into compartments, Japanese style, it is also called a bento.

What it is used for at a corporate event

It is used when there is no space to set up a buffet, when the meeting cannot be interrupted, when people eat at their desks or in different rooms, or when food needs to go out quickly with few staff. It also works well for off-site days and for eating on the go. Individual boxes make it easy to keep meals for anyone with allergies or a specific diet separate.

How it differs from other formats

• Unlike a buffet, there are no queues and no self-service: each box is packed in advance and handed out as it is.
• Compared with a working lunch, a lunch box is a delivery format; a working lunch describes the moment of eating during the meeting, and it can be served in boxes.
• Unlike a standing lunch, there are no waiting staff serving in the room and no shared bites.

What to decide beforehand

Number of attendees, delivery time, diets and allergens, whether a drink is included, and whether the boxes come with cutlery or a napkin. It also helps to settle where the boxes are left, who hands them out and how long before lunchtime they must be ready, so that they arrive in good condition and at the right temperature.

For formats delivered cold, the cold chain matters.

How we can help

If you are organising lunch for a meeting or a full-day event, see our corporate catering in Madrid or tell us what you need: number of attendees, time and any dietary requirements in the group.

Related service: Corporate catering

More in Glossary.