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If you need to get in touch immediately, feel free to give us a call at any time.

Our number is (512) 764-9027.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Cater2.me cultivates community and transforms culture around shared culinary experiences. We cater office meals, happy hours, team off-sites, conferences, office parties, full-service events, and even do home delivery.

Below we’ve compiled answers to frequently asked questions. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to learn more.

General Catering Questions

How does Cater2.me work?

  • We work with you to identify your group’s needs and suggest one of our various catering solutions, including Managed Ordering, Group Ordering, Home Delivery, Virtual Experiences, or any combination that best suits your team.
  • We build custom menus for your team's preferences and dietary restrictions.
  • You and your team take part in the meal selection process, with involvement level dependent on the type of catering solution you choose.
  • If needed, we can provide on-site staff to set up your meal, facilitate service, and clean up.
  • You and your group enjoy your delicious meal.
  • You leave feedback so we can make future meals even better.

What makes Cater2.me different from other catering services?

  • Unmatched Variety: We work with thousands of taste-tested, hand-curated food vendors.
  • First-Rate Quality Control: We personally interview every food vendor and taste-test their food before bringing them to your group.
  • Adaptable and Flexible Programs: We’ve worked with many of the most successful companies to develop and adapt their meal programs as they’ve grown from 10-person startups to 1,000+ employee organizations.
  • Unrivaled Experience: We have more than 10 years of experience serving millions of meals to companies in more than a dozen cities across the country.
  • National Coverage: We offer unique tools to support organizations with national meal needs spanning multiple cities.
  • On-Site Staff: We provide trained meal coordinators to ensure your meal runs smoothly.
  • Continuously Updated Menus: We add delicious menu items every week to make sure your meals stay exciting.
  • Unique Meal Concepts: We collaborate with our food partners to develop unique experiences based specifically on our clients’ feedback.
  • Personal Concierge: We provide always-on service from a dedicated relationship manager for each client.
  • User-Friendly Technology: We offer an online menu calendar, easy feedback submission, centralized invoicing, online ordering, personal calendar integration, and more.

Which cities does Cater2.me serve?

We currently serve hungry groups in more than 11 cities across the country, with primary operations in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC. If you have a catering need outside one of these cities, we can probably help! Get in touch to speak with one of our catering experts.

What is the difference between Managed Ordering and Group Ordering?

Managed Ordering is great for groups with consistent headcounts. We build menus based on your overall budget that are portioned to your designated headcount. Menus are planned based on your group’s individual preferences and dietary needs and can be served as a family style buffet or as individually wrapped meals. If you prefer a hands-off approach for your team, Managed Ordering ensures your group gets consistently delicious meals with minimal involvement.

Group Ordering is our solution for companies that want the ultimate flexibility and to involve their employees in the meal planning process. All meals on the platform come individually packaged, and employees select their desired meal from a curated list of options. Companies can offer full or partial subsidies for meals, and Group Ordering easily adapts to fluctuating headcounts.

Both Managed Ordering and Group Ordering offer dedicated customer service, cuisine variety, no-contact delivery, adherence to the highest safety standards, and much more.

What kind of support does Cater2.me provide?

Your dedicated account manager works hand-in-hand with you to deliver an exciting — and excitingly easy — meal experience. We’ll curate your menus, ensure your group’s dietary restrictions are met, review your feedback to make continuous improvements, and be there to help with any questions you may have. Your account manager has an intimate understanding of the food in your city and is passionate about delivering unmatched customer service.

Does Cater2.me serve only businesses?

No. While we primarily serve businesses, we also cater personal events and celebrations, offer home delivery of chef-prepared meals, manage meal programs for residential communities, and more.

How do you select the restaurants you work with?

Choosing the vendors that we work with is one of the most rewarding parts of our job. Our mission is to support local small businesses and help them grow over time, so you won’t find any big chains here! Additionally, they span all types of cuisine to give clients the most variety.

Does Cater2.me primarily cater one-time events or regular meals?

Both! We can make any type of meal both delicious and memorable, whether it’s a one-time special occasion or a company-wide daily lunch program.

Can Cater2.me accommodate special catering requests?

Yes! Just tell us what you need, and we can make it happen. We’ve provided everything from Thanksgiving dinners for offices with onsite carving stations to thousands of Jell-O shots for hackathons. Other memorable special requests include overnight treats for film crews, large meals for fulfillment centers, a home-delivered virtual picnic for hundreds of participants, and themed meals for everything from Star Wars Day to Pride Month.

Can you help with other aspects of my event?

Absolutely! We love planning menus that will make your event a hit, but food is far from the only thing we can handle. We regularly source and coordinate trusted vendors for rentals, staffing, bar services, and more. A single point of contact coordinating all communication ensures you can focus on your guests’ enjoyment and not worry about logistics. Consolidated billing after the event is icing on the cake.

Can you provide alcohol?

Yes! Whether you need a fully-stocked bar for a high-end event or beer and wine for a casual company happy hour, we can provide it. We love coordinating with our alcohol providers to come up with custom company cocktails and themed bar decor. We can even coordinate bar staff, if needed.

How are you prioritizing health and safety?

The health and safety of our clients, vendors and staff is our number one priority. We have implemented a number of safety measures to help ensure your team stays safe. Learn more here.

How do I start?

We are excited to work with you and will help you figure out the best catering solutions for your team. Get in touch here!

Is the price I am quoted the final one? Or are there additional charges or fees?

There are no additional fees or markups. The prices you see on menu proposals for Managed Ordering and in individual carts for Group Ordering are always the prices you pay.

How does billing work?

You’ll receive one clear, concise bill for all of the meals your team enjoyed over the course of a calendar month. We invoice monthly for all orders that occurred in the previous month. For example, if you have a meal during May, you will be billed for the order during the first week of June. Any Virtual Experiences you enjoy in May will also appear on this bill. Companies paying for their Managed or Group orders can pay by company credit card, personal credit card, check, or direct deposit (ACH). Participants for Group Ordering can use credit carts or direct debit to pay for any out-of-pocket costs incurred.

Food

Which meals can I order?

All of them! We regularly cater breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, happy hours, and everything in between. We’re open 7 days a week and even on holidays!

What kind of food can I get?

Every type of food! You can get almost any dish or cuisine you can imagine. We offer more than 80 different cuisines, and we add new dishes and chefs every single week.

We work with hundreds of chefs with different backgrounds and specialties. They come from all over the world — Ethiopia, Mazatlan, Tennessee, Vietnam, you name it — and their recipes often have origins tracing as far back as you’re willing to listen.

Banh mi prepared to order? We’ve got the best in the city. BBQ? Our chefs have won awards for it. Argentinian empanadas? Check! And many of these family recipes have been perfected over generations.

Can I get food from my favorite restaurant through Cater2.me?

We work with many of the best restaurants, food trucks, farmers’ market stands, and chefs in your city. We carefully review and taste-test each one to ensure they can deliver on the standards that we — and you — expect.

And we’re constantly growing. We love hearing about hidden gems or well-known favorites that we can add to our community of food providers. Let us know whose food you love by emailing vendorteam@cater2.me.

Some people in my group have dietary restrictions. Can you accommodate them?

Of course! We can accommodate everyone’s needs, allergies, and restrictions. For example, we can provide meals that are nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, kosher, halal, and more.

Managed Ordering

What is Managed Ordering?

Ideal for groups, we tailor your catering experience to fit your schedule, budget, headcount, dietary restrictions, and staffing needs. We build menus that are inclusive of all eaters from our hand-selected network of vendors in your city. When a meal arrives, the entire group has access to the same food options. Managed Ordering requires minimal involvement on your end and is a great way to ensure consistently delicious and appropriate meals for your team.

Can I order individually packaged meals?

Definitely. Our vetted network of vendors have numerous options that can come individually packaged, with all dietary concerns packaged up and taken care of when the meals arrive. We can even work to create custom options if you’re looking for a specific type of packaged meal.

How much do meals cost?

We work with clients with a wide range of budgets, and we’ll work to deliver the best possible meals within your budget. A typical office meal ranges from $14-20 per person, all inclusive.

How do I know there will be enough food?

We’ve served millions of meals to groups of all types and sizes, so we’ve had a lot of experience with portioning. Before anything is delivered to your office, we personally taste and document the portion size of each dish through an initial tasting at our offices.

How do I order a meal?

If you haven’t already signed up, click here to get started. If you’re already a customer, you can place an order by signing in to your account. Then, click the “Place an Order” button in the top right corner of your screen. There, you can submit your meal request to us. If you have any other questions, just get in touch. If you or your company doesn’t currently work with Cater2.me, click here to get started. If you’re already a customer, but don’t have a Cater2.me account, click here . If you’re able to access your account, you can place an order by signing in to your account and clicking the “Place an Order” button in the top right corner of your screen. There, you can submit your meal request to us. If you have any other questions, just get in touch.'

How much notice do I have to provide before my order? How far in advance can I order?

It’s best to let us know as soon as you know you’ll need catering for an upcoming event or a new program. While we welcome the challenge of last-minute requests, your choices will be more limited as the lead time decreases.

What kinds of equipment and supplies do you provide?

We have equipment for all types of needs and we’ll work with you to determine the best fit for your specific meals and space. We can provide heat equipment to keep food at temperature, as well as compostable items, utensils, tablecloths, and more. We can also source additional decor items, and of course, we can provide staffing to help set up and break down any equipment we provide.

What does setup look like?

Food is delivered based on your preferences. We can do anything from a casual drop-off of disposable trays or individually boxed meals to a full setup with chafing dishes, stainless steel serving utensils, and additional decor items. Just let us know what you prefer!

If there’s a problem with my order, what do I do?

If there is any concern with your meal, please let your dedicated account manager or our on-site staff know immediately. Whether it’s a missing item or the surprise arrival of additional guests, we can work to fix it in real-time. We’re not happy until you’re happy.

Group Ordering

What is Group Ordering?

Cater2.me’s Group Ordering platform gives you and your team the flexibility to enjoy customized meals from a curated selection of the best local vendors in your city. A Cater2.me expert plans vendors and curates menus based on your set schedule. Employees can be invited to join in on the meal and select and customize the items they’d like to order. Meals are individually wrapped and arrive in a single group delivery.

How much do meals cost?

We always aim to cater to a wide range of budgets. Group Ordering menus typically include several options for entrees, as well as sides, appetizers, desserts, and beverages. Individual entrees generally range between $14-18 with additional appetizers, sides, and other add-ons available at a variety of price points. Your Account Manager can present a variety of options at different price points based on your team’s budget and preferences.

Can I provide subsidies for team meals?

We offer multiple ways to pay for meals through Group Ordering. Companies can provide a full or partial subsidy for employee meals or let the team pay on their own. Subsidies can be allocated as a specific credit per meal or as a recurring allowance on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. Regardless of subsidy amount, the company will be charged only when subsidies are used towards employee meals. If employees choose to order above and beyond their allocated subsidy, they can pay out-of-pocket via credit card or direct debit.

Do I have to allow employees to see the price of meals?

No, you do not! Through our Group Ordering + Fixed Price offering, companies can set a specific per-person, per-meal budget, and employees are presented with meal options at or under the budget. Employees select a single meal option from the menu and enjoy a streamlined, two-click checkout process. Prices are hidden and employees do not have the option to order additional items or pay out-of-pocket.

Are there any order minimums?

Typically our Group Ordering programs are best for groups with expected meal participation of at least 20 people, though there are certainly exceptions based on your program specifics. For more information, get in touch!

How far in advance can we place an order?

The Cater2.me team typically makes menus available to meal program participants every Wednesday afternoon for meals taking place the following week (Monday-Sunday). Once menus are made available, participants have until 5pm the night before the meal to submit their order. In some cases, the deadline for placing orders for Monday meals is the prior Friday at 5pm.

What if an employee forgets to order?

If an employee realizes after the deadline that they forgot to order, please reach out to your Account Manager to see if they can get in contact with the vendor and add an additional meal. We cannot guarantee late orders will be accommodated, as vendors typically have a tight timeline for placing inventory and beginning their meal preparations.

As an alternative, the Host — the user who organizes the meal — is able to order extra meals in the Host Cart, which is connected to the company payment method. Hosts can order additional meals via the Host Cart just in case team members forget their meals, or they can label these meals with specific names if they know in advance that certain team members or guests will be unable to place orders. Extra meals can be labeled with team member names or something else — like “Extra Vegetarian Meal” — that helps identify them when they arrive onsite.

How many restaurants can we choose from per meal?

We typically schedule one restaurant for every fifty employees expected to participate in a meal. We do this to reduce the number of delivery personnel accessing your office for any given meal, and also to ensure a certain volume of orders for each vendor preparing your meal.

Every meal — whether served by one vendor or multiple — will have a number of options available, many of which are often further customizable. We always ensure that all dietary needs are covered for every menu we make available.

What if there is an issue with someone’s order?

Please contact us immediately if there is an issue with a participant meal and we will help remedy the situation. If your team has an On-Site Catering Coordinator, they will reach out to your Account Manager on your behalf, or you can contact us directly by email or by calling your local Cater2.me office.

As an additional step, employees can leave feedback at the end of each meal through their Cater2.me account. All feedback is taken into consideration when picking future restaurant options for your team.

How are the meals organized onsite?

All employees are assigned an alphanumeric code (ex. A21) upon joining the Group Ordering platform, and this code is placed on each person’s meals moving forward for easy identification onsite. For distribution, there are few different options:

Stations - We set up number-labeled meal stations that make sense for your office layout. For each delivery, all meals are assigned a station number and set up in the appropriate area upon arrival. Meal participants are notified of their station number by text and email each morning. We use available office furniture (countertops and tables) to set up for meal time and provide tabletop labels to designate each station.

Shelving - Clients with headcounts of 25+ frequently elect to install mobile shelving units in their office. If this option is selected, meals are automatically assigned a shelf number each day and set up on the corresponding shelf by the delivery person. Meal participants are notified of their meal location each morning by text and email. If interested, we would love to assist with shelving ideas and can facilitate purchase, delivery, and setup on your behalf.

If we’re providing an On-site Catering Coordinator for your meal, they will assist with setup and distribution of your meals, in addition to any cleanup or breakdown needed.

Are you able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergens?

Yes, we pride ourselves on being able to accommodate a wide range of dietary restrictions and preferences! We ensure that all menus have a variety of options for the most common dietary needs, and many of our items can be further customized by the participants so they can personalize their meals to fit their individual needs.

To make things easy, participants can fill out their allergen and dietary restrictions in their profile when signing up for Group Ordering. If they select an item that does not match their profile, they are notified prior to checkout to ensure all meals ordered are safe for them to eat.

Other Solutions

How do I order home delivery?

We currently have chef-prepared meals rotating weekly in New York, Boston, and San Francisco, with more on their way! Our easy-to-use online platform makes it easy to order meals for the week. Details depend by market and more information can be found on each Home Delivery site’s FAQ page.

What is Cater2.me for Communities?

Cater2.me for Communities allows residential buildings to offer unique food amenities to residents. Available for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as special events, Communities is a great way to engage neighbors and add to a building’s amenity offerings. Free delivery, dedicated account management, and strict safety standards make for a worry-free experience.

What is Virtual Experiences?

Looking to engage your team outside of endless Zoom meetings? Virtual Experiences is the answer! Pick from an array of activities across art, fitness, food, games and much more. We take care of the entire planning process, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy. Team bonding over a new activity is a great way to build trust and boost productivity.