Panera Bread Catering Menu with Prices is something you need to see before you place that big office order. Panera’s catering orders solve office lunch problems, but the per-person cost varies widely depending on whether you choose boxed lunches or larger party platters.
You have probably ordered from Panera for yourself, but the catering side works a little differently. They have specific packages, feeding guides, and price points that are not always obvious on the main menu. This guide breaks down the real costs so you can budget without guessing.
We will look at the most popular items, what you actually get for your money, and how to avoid overpaying for food your team will not finish. Let us get straight to the numbers.
Panera Bread Catering Menu With Prices
The catering menu splits into three main groups. You have the boxed lunches, the sandwich and salad platters, and the soup or mac and cheese options. Each one has a different price structure, and some are better for large groups than others.
Below is the current pricing breakdown based on standard Panera locations. Keep in mind that prices can shift slightly depending on your city or state, but these figures are accurate for most areas.
Boxed Lunch Options And Costs
Boxed lunches are the most popular choice for corporate meetings. They come with a sandwich or salad, a side, a baguette, and a cookie. You get a drink option too, usually a bottled water or a soda can.
- Smoked Turkey & Avocado Box: $12.99 per person
- Chicken Salad Box: $11.99 per person
- Tuna Salad Box: $11.99 per person
- Turkey Sandwich Box: $11.49 per person
- Ham & Swiss Box: $11.49 per person
- Mediterranean Veggie Box: $11.99 per person
- Caesar Salad Box with Chicken: $12.49 per person
- Green Goddess Cobb Box: $12.99 per person
- Fuji Apple Chicken Salad Box: $12.49 per person
Each box comes with your choice of side. You can pick chips, an apple, or a seasonal fruit cup. The baguette is always included, and the cookie is usually a chocolate chipper.
If you want to swap the cookie for a brownie, it costs about $0.50 extra per box. That is a small upcharge but worth noting if you have a team that prefers chocolate over oatmeal.
Sandwich And Panini Platters
Platters are better when you want people to serve themselves. You order by the half-sandwich count, and the price reflects that. A half sandwich is smaller, so you generally order two halves per person.
- Half Sandwich Platter (12 halves): $79.99
- Half Sandwich Platter (18 halves): $109.99
- Half Sandwich Platter (24 halves): $139.99
You can mix sandwich types on one platter. The most common choices are the Turkey & Avocado BLT, the Chicken Salad, and the Classic Grilled Cheese. The platter comes with pickle spears and a selection of mustards and mayo.
If you want a full sandwich platter instead, the price jumps significantly. A full sandwich platter with 12 sandwiches runs about $129.99. That is usually overkill for most office lunches, so stick with halves unless you have heavy eaters.
Salad Platter Pricing
Salad platters are a lighter option, but they are not necessarily cheaper. You order by the size of the bowl, and each bowl feeds a specific number of people.
- Small Salad Platter (feeds 4-6): $39.99
- Medium Salad Platter (feeds 8-10): $59.99
- Large Salad Platter (feeds 14-16): $89.99
The Caesar Salad is the cheapest option. The Green Goddess Cobb and the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad cost about $5 more per platter size. You can add chicken to the Caesar for an extra $12 on a small platter, $18 on a medium, and $24 on a large.
Dressing comes on the side, which is good because nobody likes a soggy salad. You also get croutons and a small baguette loaf with each platter.
Soup And Mac And Cheese Options
Soup is a solid choice for colder months. Panera offers their soups in large catering containers that you heat up on site.
- Small Soup Container (feeds 6-8): $34.99
- Medium Soup Container (feeds 12-14): $54.99
- Large Soup Container (feeds 18-20): $74.99
Popular soup choices include Broccoli Cheddar, Cream of Chicken & Wild Rice, and Baked Potato. You can mix two soups in one container if you ask, but they will charge you for the more expensive one.
Mac and Cheese is a crowd favorite, especially for younger teams. The catering sizes are similar to soup.
- Small Mac (feeds 6-8): $39.99
- Medium Mac (feeds 12-14): $64.99
- Large Mac (feeds 18-20): $89.99
The mac and cheese is the signature recipe with the sharp cheddar and the crispy topping on the side. You have to add the topping yourself, which is fine, but do not forget it in the box.
Breakfast Catering Selections
Panera also does breakfast catering if you have morning meetings. The prices are a little lower than lunch, but the portions are smaller too.
- Breakfast Sandwich Box (6 sandwiches): $34.99
- Breakfast Sandwich Box (12 sandwiches): $64.99
- Bagel Bundle (13 bagels): $21.99
- Bagel Bundle (26 bagels): $39.99
- Steel Cut Oatmeal Tub (feeds 8): $29.99
The breakfast sandwiches come with egg and cheese. You can add bacon or sausage for an extra $1.50 per sandwich. The bagel bundles include two tubs of cream cheese, but you can order extra for $3 per tub.
If you need coffee, they have catering urns. A coffee urn that serves about 10 cups costs $19.99. That is cheaper than running to Starbucks for individual cups.
Dessert And Snack Add-Ons
You can add desserts to any order. The most popular is the cookie tray, which comes with a mix of chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and sugar cookies.
- Cookie Tray (12 cookies): $17.99
- Cookie Tray (24 cookies): $29.99
- Brownie Tray (12 brownies): $21.99
- Pastry Ring (serves 8-10): $24.99
The pastry ring is a sweet danish-like ring that you slice yourself. It is a nice touch for breakfast meetings but not necessary for a standard lunch.
You can also add a fruit platter to any order. A small fruit platter costs $29.99 and feeds about 8 people. It is a good option if you want something fresh alongside heavier food.
How To Place Your Order
Ordering Panera catering is straightforward, but you need to plan ahead. Most locations require at least 24 hours notice for catering orders. Some busy locations might need 48 hours, especially for large platters.
- Go to the Panera website and select the Catering tab
- Enter your delivery zip code or choose pickup
- Browse the menu and add items to your cart
- Select your delivery date and time window
- Provide your contact and payment information
- Confirm the order and wait for a confirmation email
Delivery is not always free. Panera charges a delivery fee that ranges from $5 to $15 depending on your distance from the store. You can avoid the fee entirely by choosing curbside pickup, which is usually ready within 2 hours for smaller orders.
If you need to cancel, do it at least 6 hours before your delivery time. Panera does not offer refunds for cancellations made less than 6 hours before the scheduled delivery.
Minimum Order Requirements
Panera does not have a strict minimum for catering, but they do have practical limits. If you order less than $50 worth of food, they might treat it as a regular online order rather than a catering order. That means you will not get the catering packaging or the disposable serving utensils.
For delivery orders, the minimum is usually around $75. Pickup orders can be smaller, but you still need to hit about $30 to get the catering boxes instead of standard packaging.
Feeding Guide And Portion Sizing
One of the hardest parts of catering is figuring out how much to order. You do not want to run out, but you also do not want to waste money on leftovers.
Here is a simple rule of thumb for boxed lunches: order one box per person. That is easy because they are individually packaged.
For platters, assume each person will eat about 1.5 half-sandwiches. So if you have 10 people, order 15 halves. If you have a mix of men and women, 1.5 is a safe number. If your team is mostly male or has manual laborers, bump it up to 2 halves per person.
For salads, a small platter feeds about 5 people as a main course. If you are serving salad alongside sandwiches, a small platter can stretch to 8 people.
Soup is trickier. A small container feeds 6 to 8 people as a side, but only 4 to 5 people if it is the main dish. Always order bread with soup because people will want something to dip.
Cost Saving Tips For Large Orders
Catering adds up fast. A lunch for 20 people with boxed lunches will cost you around $250 before tax and delivery. Here are some ways to bring that number down.
- Mix boxed lunches with a soup or salad platter to reduce per-person cost
- Choose the Turkey Sandwich Box at $11.49 instead of the Smoked Turkey & Avocado at $12.99
- Skip the bottled water and ask for a water dispenser instead
- Order pickup instead of delivery to save the $10 delivery fee
- Check for Panera catering coupons on their website before you check out
Panera sometimes runs promotions for first-time catering customers. You can often get 20% off your first order if you sign up for their catering email list. That is a significant saving on a large order.
Another trick is to order during off-peak times. Some locations offer a discount for early morning pickup or late afternoon delivery, but you have to ask. The manager has the discretion to offer a small discount if they are not busy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Panera offer free delivery for catering orders?
No. Panera charges a delivery fee for catering orders, usually between $5 and $15. The fee depends on your location and the size of the order. You can avoid the fee by choosing curbside pickup instead.
Can I order Panera catering the same day?
Some locations allow same-day catering if you order before 10 AM. However, most locations require 24 hours notice. For large orders over $200, it is best to give 48 hours notice to ensure availability.
What is the cheapest item on the Panera catering menu?
The bagel bundle is the cheapest catering item at $21.99 for 13 bagels. If you need a full meal, the Turkey Sandwich Box at $11.49 per person is the most budget-friendly lunch option.
Can I mix and match sandwiches on a platter?
Yes. You can mix up to three different sandwich types on a single platter. Just specify the quantities when you place your order. There is no extra charge for mixing.
Does Panera catering include plates and napkins?
Yes. All catering orders come with disposable plates, napkins, and utensils. The number of serving supplies is based on the feeding guide of your order. If you need extra, you can request them at no charge.
Final Thoughts On Panera Catering
Panera catering is a reliable option for office lunches, but you need to understand the pricing structure to get the best value. Boxed lunches are the easiest for individual servings, while platters work better for self-serve situations. The per-person cost ranges from about $11 for a basic sandwich box to $15 or more for premium salads or specialty sandwiches.
Plan ahead, use the feeding guide, and do not be afraid to ask for a discount on large orders. Panera wants your business, and they will often work with you on price if you are ordering for 20 or more people.
The next time you are tasked with feeding your team, you now have the numbers to make a smart choice. Check the Panera website for current local prices, because they do vary slightly by region. And remember to confirm your delivery time at least one day in advance so you are not scrambling on the morning of your meeting.