Updated November 2026
15–18 Minute Read
Corporate Catering in Aurora, IL: How to Plan Food for Meetings, Events & Business Gatherings
Planning food for a business event is different from ordering lunch for yourself.
You may be feeding employees, clients, vendors, business partners, or a combination of different groups. Some people may want sandwiches, others may prefer something lighter, and some may have dietary restrictions that need to be considered before the order is placed.
Then there is the practical side of corporate catering.
How much food do you need?
Should you order individual meals or trays?
What foods are easiest to serve?
How far ahead should you order?
Should you provide several entrée choices or keep the menu simple?
And perhaps most importantly, how do you make sure the person organizing the event is not spending the entire day worrying about lunch?
A good corporate catering order should make the event easier, not create another complicated project.
Mayo Grill offers catering and larger group orders in Aurora for corporate lunches, meetings, office gatherings, employee events, parties, and other occasions.
The menu gives businesses several ways to build a group meal, including Italian beef, traditional wings, gyro pans, Philly trays, sandwiches, sides, drinks, and individual meals.
What Is Corporate Catering?
Corporate catering simply means arranging food for a business-related gathering rather than ordering a normal individual meal.
That could mean a small lunch meeting with six coworkers.
It could mean a company training session with 25 employees.
It could mean an employee appreciation lunch.
It could mean a client meeting where you want to provide food without interrupting the conversation.
It could even mean a larger company event where dozens of people need to be fed at approximately the same time.
Corporate catering does not necessarily mean formal banquet food.
For many businesses, casual food is actually a better fit.
Sandwiches, Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, wings, burgers, chicken, salads, fries, and other familiar foods can be easier for employees and guests to enjoy because people already know what they like.
The most important part is choosing food that fits the event.
The best order is one that gives people enough food, provides reasonable variety, and is simple for the organizer to manage.
Mayo Grill’s Aurora catering service is designed for larger orders and different types of gatherings, including corporate events and office lunches.
What Types of Business Events Can Be Catered?
Corporate catering can work for much more than a standard office lunch.
Businesses may need food for:
• Corporate lunches
• Team meetings
• Training sessions
• Employee appreciation events
• Company celebrations
• Client meetings
• Business presentations
• Staff birthdays
• Holiday gatherings
• Company-wide events
The event itself should influence the food you choose.
A 30-minute team meeting may call for individual meals that employees can quickly eat.
A two-hour company gathering may be better suited to a buffet-style spread.
A client meeting may call for food that is easy to eat without interrupting the conversation.
An employee appreciation event may be an opportunity to offer a larger variety of foods and let people serve themselves.
There is no reason every corporate event needs the exact same catering strategy.
Start With an Accurate Guest Count
Before deciding what food to order, figure out how many people will actually be eating.
The guest count is one of the most important pieces of information when planning corporate catering.
If 8 people are attending a meeting, individual meals may be the easiest option.
If 20 people are attending, you may want to start thinking about larger quantities and shared food.
If 50 or more people are attending, catering trays and larger group packages can make much more sense than placing dozens of separate orders.
But do not automatically use the total number of employees.
If a company has 50 employees but only 32 will be in the office, you are probably planning food for 32.
If 40 people are invited to a meeting but 10 are working remotely, your actual lunch count may be 30.
Try to get the most realistic number possible.
| Group Size | Possible Approach | Main Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10 people | Individual meals or small group order | Individual preferences are easy to manage. |
| 10–20 people | Mixed meals or smaller catering quantities | Balance variety with simplicity. |
| 20–40 people | Catering trays and shareable food | Plan portions and serving space. |
| 40+ people | Larger catering order | Plan ahead and coordinate quantities and timing. |
These are planning categories, not strict rules.
The right approach depends on the event, the menu, and how the food will be served.
For more help thinking through quantities, see Mayo Grill’s guide to how much food you actually need for a crowd.
Individual Meals or Catering Trays?
Both can work for corporate events. The better choice depends on the size and style of the gathering.
Individual Meals
Individual meals work well when employees have different preferences and the group is relatively small.
For example, one employee may want a Philly cheesesteak while another wants a gyro and another wants a salad.
Individual meals allow everyone to choose without requiring the organizer to build one large shared menu.
They can also make sense when the event has a short lunch window and everyone needs a clearly assigned meal.
Catering Trays
Catering trays become more useful as the group gets larger.
Instead of tracking 30 separate meals, you can put several foods on the table and allow employees to serve themselves.
This can be especially practical for employee appreciation lunches, company celebrations, longer meetings, and informal corporate gatherings.
A Combination of Both
You do not have to choose one format exclusively.
A company might order larger trays of wings and Italian beef while also ordering individual salads or meals for employees with specific preferences.
That combination can provide variety without making the entire order individual.
What Food Works Best for Corporate Catering?
Corporate catering does not have to mean a complicated menu.
In fact, a relatively small number of food categories can provide plenty of variety.
The current Mayo Grill menu includes Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, gyros, burgers, chicken, wings, seafood, salads, loaded cheese fries, hot dogs, sides, desserts, drinks, and shakes.
That variety makes it possible to create different types of business meals without asking everyone to eat the same thing.
Italian Beef
A hearty Chicago-style option that works especially well for larger group meals.
Philly Cheesesteaks
A familiar sandwich option that gives employees another substantial entrée.
Gyros
A different flavor profile that can add variety to a sandwich-heavy spread.
Chicken & Wings
Flexible options that work for individual meals or larger shared orders.
Salads & Lighter Choices
Useful when not everyone wants a heavy sandwich or fried meal.
The goal is not to order every category.
The goal is to choose enough variety that employees and guests have reasonable options.
Why Italian Beef Works for Corporate Catering
Italian beef can be a practical centerpiece for a corporate lunch because it is filling and easy to build into a larger spread.
Mayo Grill currently offers a five-pound Italian beef catering package listed at $124.99 and serving approximately 13–15 guests.
The package includes French bread, fries, hot giardiniera, and au jus.
That means a business does not have to separately figure out every basic component of the meal.
Guests can build their sandwiches according to their preferences.
Currently listed at $124.99.
Serves approximately 13–15 guests and includes French bread, fries, hot giardiniera, and au jus.
For more information about the food and the current catering option, see Mayo Grill’s Italian beef page in Aurora.
Italian beef can also be paired with wings, Phillies, salads, gyros, or other foods when you want a broader corporate menu.
Are Chicken Wings Good for Corporate Events?
Wings can work especially well when the event is casual and employees are sharing food.
Mayo Grill currently offers 50-piece and 100-piece traditional wing catering trays.
The 50-piece tray is currently listed at $59.99, while the 100-piece tray is listed at $119.99.
Both include fries, ranch, and blue cheese.
Wings can serve as the main food at a casual company event, but they can also be one component of a larger menu.
For example, a business could offer Italian beef as the primary entrée, wings as a shareable option, and salads for employees who want something lighter.
That can be easier than ordering enough of every individual food to feed the entire company.
Use Mayo Grill’s chicken wing quantity guide to estimate how many wings you may need based on the size of your group and whether wings are the main food or part of a larger spread.
You can also review the Mayo Grill chicken wing menu for current wing options.
Why Gyro Pans Can Work for Corporate Catering
Gyros can be a useful addition when you want something different from the typical sandwich-and-wings menu.
Mayo Grill currently offers a half pan of gyro listed at $57.99 and a full pan listed at $109.99.
The half pan is listed as serving 6–8 people, while the full pan is listed as serving 14–16 people.
The gyro pans include pita bread, fries, tzatziki, onions, and tomatoes.
That makes them practical for a group because the main food and several accompaniments are already included.
A company could use gyro as one of two or three main choices rather than making it the only food available.
For example:
Main option: Italian beef
Alternative: Gyro pan
Shareable: Traditional wings
Lighter option: Salad
That gives the group several directions without requiring an enormous menu.
Should You Include Philly Cheesesteaks?
Philly cheesesteaks are another substantial option for a corporate lunch or business gathering.
A Philly tray can be useful when you want to offer a sandwich-based meal without making the entire menu Italian beef.
Mayo Grill currently offers both Philly cheesesteak and Philly chicken tray options through its catering menu.
Toppings are served on the side for the catering trays, which gives guests more flexibility when building their sandwiches.
That can be helpful for a business event because not everyone wants the same toppings.
Some people may want peppers and onions.
Others may prefer a simpler sandwich.
A shared tray can accommodate those differences without requiring completely separate meals.
You can review the current Mayo Grill menu when deciding which options make sense for your event.
Why Corporate Catering Should Include a Lighter Option
Not everyone wants a heavy sandwich or a large serving of wings in the middle of the workday.
This is easy to overlook when planning food for a business.
If your entire menu consists of Italian beef, Phillies, wings, fries, and loaded fries, you may have plenty of food but not necessarily enough variety.
A salad or another lighter meal gives employees an alternative.
This does not mean you need an entirely separate menu for people who prefer lighter food.
One or two lighter choices can be enough.
The important thing is giving people an option.
Mayo Grill’s current menu includes salads alongside its sandwiches, wings, burgers, chicken, seafood, gyros, and other foods.
That allows an organizer to create a more balanced menu without ordering from multiple restaurants.
How Should You Handle Dietary Preferences at a Corporate Event?
You do not need to create a completely separate menu for every employee.
But you should ask about important dietary needs before placing a large order.
A simple company message can help:
This gives employees an opportunity to tell the organizer about important restrictions before the order is finalized.
It also prevents the organizer from discovering a problem after the food has already arrived.
For larger events, communicate any important food concerns clearly when discussing the order with the restaurant.
How Much Food Do You Need for a Corporate Event?
The answer depends on the type of event and how the food is being served.
A two-hour employee appreciation event is different from a 30-minute lunch meeting.
A buffet with four substantial entrées is different from a meal where wings are the only main food.
And a corporate event where people are eating throughout the afternoon is different from a scheduled lunch where everyone sits down at the same time.
Instead of asking only how many people are attending, ask:
How many people are actually eating?
Is this a full meal?
How many main foods are being served?
Are there sides?
Will people be able to serve themselves?
Will food be available for seconds?
Mayo Grill’s group food quantity guide provides a useful starting point when you are trying to estimate how much food your event may require.
The important thing is to think about the entire menu rather than assuming every entrée needs to feed every person by itself.
Corporate Catering Menu Ideas for Different Events
The best corporate menu depends on what the business is trying to accomplish.
Here are several ways to approach it.
Team Meeting
Individual Phillies, Italian beef, gyros, burgers, or salads so employees can quickly choose what they want.
Employee Appreciation Lunch
Italian beef, Philly trays, wings, salads, fries, and drinks for a larger shared spread.
Client Lunch
A smaller selection of polished, easy-to-eat meals such as Italian beef, Phillies, gyros, chicken, or salads.
Company Celebration
A larger variety including wings, sandwiches, Italian beef, gyros, fries, salads, desserts, and drinks.
Training or Workshop
Choose food that can be served quickly and does not require employees to spend the entire break waiting in line.
These are starting points rather than fixed catering packages.
The menu should always be adjusted around the actual number of people, event schedule, budget, and food preferences.
Planning a Company Lunch in Aurora?
A company lunch is one of the simplest situations for catering, but it can still become complicated when the group gets larger.
The first question is whether everyone will be eating at the same time.
If the answer is yes, you need to make sure the food can be served efficiently.
If people will be eating in shifts, individual meals or clearly separated trays may be easier.
You also need to consider the length of the lunch break.
If employees have only 30 minutes, you do not want the food setup to take 15 minutes.
For a short corporate lunch, a simple menu is usually better.
For example:
Main: Italian beef or Philly tray
Shareable: Wings
Alternative: Salad or gyro
Side: Fries
That gives employees choices without requiring the organizer to manage dozens of completely separate orders.
For a more detailed look at planning a workday meal, see Mayo Grill’s guide to office lunch catering in Aurora.
What Food Works for a Business or Client Meeting?
Client meetings have a slightly different goal.
You want the food to be enjoyable, but you also do not want the meal to take over the meeting.
That means easy-to-eat foods are usually preferable.
Sandwiches, individual meals, salads, chicken, gyros, and other foods that can be eaten without a complicated setup can work well.
If the meeting is small, individual meals may be the easiest approach.
Ask attendees what they would like ahead of time, place one combined order, and have everything ready before the meeting begins.
For a larger client event, a shared spread may be more appropriate.
The key is to match the food to the tone and schedule of the meeting.
Why Food Works So Well for Employee Appreciation Events
A company does not necessarily need a formal event to show employees appreciation.
Bringing lunch into the office gives employees something practical while also creating an opportunity for coworkers to step away from their normal work.
This is where a larger shared menu can make sense.
Instead of asking everyone to choose one meal, you can create a spread with several foods.
Italian beef.
Philly cheesesteaks.
Wings.
Gyros.
Salads.
Fries.
Drinks.
That creates a lunch where employees can choose what sounds good rather than being handed a meal they may not want.
And because the food is shared, people can try something different.
How Far Ahead Should You Order Corporate Catering?
The larger the order, the more important advance planning becomes.
There is a big difference between ordering lunch for yourself and arranging food for 40 employees.
A large corporate order may involve multiple trays, several food types, specific quantities, a fixed arrival or pickup time, and a group of people waiting to eat.
That is why it is smart to contact the restaurant ahead of time.
When you call, be prepared to provide:
1. Guest count — How many people are eating?
2. Event type — Meeting, lunch, celebration, training, or another gathering?
3. Food preferences — What types of food do you want?
4. Timing — When does the food need to be ready?
5. Pickup or delivery — How will the food get to the event?
6. Special considerations — Allergies or dietary restrictions that need to be communicated.
This information makes it easier for the restaurant to help you build the order.
For larger catering orders, calling Mayo Grill at (331) 258-6603 is the best way to discuss current pricing, quantities, availability, and timing.
Should You Pick Up or Have Corporate Catering Delivered?
Both options can work.
Pickup can be convenient when someone from the company is already nearby and can collect the order.
It can also give the organizer more control over when the food leaves the restaurant.
Delivery may be more convenient when nobody wants to leave the office or when the event schedule makes a pickup difficult.
Mayo Grill currently serves Aurora and also lists catering delivery to nearby communities including Naperville, Montgomery, North Aurora, Oswego, Batavia, and Plainfield.
Delivery availability and timing can depend on the event location and current ordering conditions.
For pickup information, you can also visit the Mayo Grill takeout page.
Give yourself enough time to set up the food, organize the serving area, and make sure everything is ready before the event begins.
How Should You Set Up Corporate Catering at the Office?
Even good food can become frustrating if 30 people are trying to serve themselves from one tiny table.
If you are serving a larger group, think about the physical setup before the food arrives.
Put plates and utensils at the beginning of the serving area.
Place the main dishes next.
Put sides and shareable foods afterward.
Keep sauces and toppings where people can reach them without blocking the main line.
Drinks can be placed separately if you have the space.
1. Plates and utensils
2. Main entrées
3. Shareable foods
4. Sides
5. Sauces and toppings
6. Napkins and utensils
7. Drinks and desserts
For very large groups, using two serving areas can reduce the line.
You can also separate food by category.
For example, place sandwiches and Italian beef on one table and wings, sides, and salads on another.
That makes it easier for people to move through the food quickly.
How Can You Keep Corporate Catering Within Budget?
You do not need to order every food on the menu.
In fact, too much variety can make the order more expensive without necessarily making the event better.
Start with your budget.
Then decide what matters most.
If variety is the priority, choose two or three substantial foods and build around them.
If feeding everyone affordably is the priority, focus on filling foods and larger group quantities.
If the event is primarily an employee appreciation event, you may want to spend more on variety and sides.
Do not ask only, “What is the cheapest food?”
Ask, “What combination gives our group enough food and enough variety without ordering more than we need?”
That usually leads to a more practical catering order.
Mayo Grill’s current menu separates individual meals from catering and tray options, making it easier to compare the different ways you can build a larger order.
Example: Corporate Catering for 20 People
Imagine a company has 20 employees attending an afternoon meeting.
Instead of ordering 20 identical meals, the company could build a mixed menu.
For example:
Italian beef as one substantial entrée.
Philly cheesesteaks as a second entrée.
Wings as a shareable food.
Salad as a lighter option.
Fries as a side.
Drinks if needed.
The exact quantities would depend on how many people are expected to choose each item.
The important part is the structure.
You are not trying to make 20 people agree on one food.
You are giving them several reasonable choices while keeping the order manageable.
Example: Corporate Catering for 50 People
Once you reach 50 people, shared catering becomes much more practical.
At this size, you probably do not want 50 completely separate meals.
Instead, think about the event as a buffet.
You might have:
Two substantial entrées such as Italian beef and Philly trays.
One shareable option such as wings.
One lighter choice such as salad.
Several sides such as fries.
Drinks and desserts depending on the event.
At 50 people, advance planning becomes especially important.
Call the restaurant ahead of time with your guest count and desired menu so the order can be coordinated around the event.
Mayo Grill’s catering page specifically recommends contacting the restaurant to customize larger orders based on guest count and tray size.
What Should You Serve at a Corporate Meeting?
The meeting schedule should influence the food more than anything else.
If people have only 30 minutes to eat, choose food that is easy to serve and easy to eat.
If the meeting has several breaks, you may be able to offer food in stages.
If the event lasts several hours, a larger spread may make more sense.
You should also consider whether people will be sitting around a conference table.
Messy or complicated food can become inconvenient when everyone is trying to eat while discussing business.
That does not mean corporate food needs to be boring.
It simply means you should think about the setting.
If the food is being served during a short break, simplicity is more important than having a huge number of choices.
Common Corporate Catering Mistakes
Most catering problems come from planning issues rather than the food itself.
Ordering before confirming the headcount. Your quantities depend on how many people are actually eating.
Offering only one type of food. Different employees have different preferences.
Ordering too many different foods. Variety is useful, but too many options make the order harder to manage.
Ignoring dietary restrictions. Ask ahead of time.
Waiting until the last minute. Large orders require more coordination than individual meals.
Forgetting serving supplies. Plates, utensils, cups, and napkins are easy to overlook.
Not planning the serving area. Fifty people cannot efficiently use a tiny conference-room table.
Ordering much more food than necessary. A little extra can be useful, but excessive quantities waste the catering budget.
Corporate Catering Checklist
Use this list before placing your final order.
✓ Confirm the number of guests
✓ Determine whether the food is a full meal or part of a larger event
✓ Ask about allergies and dietary restrictions
✓ Decide between individual meals and shared catering
✓ Choose two or three main food categories
✓ Include a lighter option when appropriate
✓ Determine how much food you actually need
✓ Confirm pickup or delivery
✓ Confirm the desired arrival or pickup time
✓ Make sure the office has enough plates, napkins, cups, and utensils
✓ Set up a serving area before the food arrives
Corporate Catering From Mayo Grill
Mayo Grill offers a broad menu and larger group-order options that can be used for business meetings, office lunches, employee events, company celebrations, and other gatherings.
The current catering menu includes several published group options.
That includes 50-piece and 100-piece traditional wing trays, half and full gyro pans, and a five-pound Italian beef package.
Other catering items, including Philly cheesesteak trays, Philly chicken trays, chicken tenders, burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, and loaded chicken cheese fries pans, are available with pricing by quote.
This gives businesses the ability to build a menu around the size and type of event rather than being restricted to one fixed catering package.
For current pricing and availability, call Mayo Grill at (331) 258-6603.
50 Traditional Wings — $59.99.
100 Traditional Wings — $119.99.
Half Pan Gyro — $57.99; serves 6–8.
Full Pan Gyro — $109.99; serves 14–16.
5 Lbs Italian Beef — $124.99; serves approximately 13–15.
The current Mayo Grill catering page also notes that catering pricing can depend on guest count and tray size.
That makes it especially useful to contact the restaurant when planning a larger corporate event rather than trying to estimate everything from individual menu prices.
Good Corporate Catering Starts With Good Planning
The best corporate catering order is not necessarily the biggest one or the one with the most choices.
It is the order that fits the number of people attending, the event schedule, the budget, and the preferences of the people you are feeding.
Start with your guest count. Choose a few substantial foods. Add variety where it makes sense. Include a lighter option when appropriate. Then coordinate the timing before the event.
Whether you are planning a small client lunch, a company meeting, an employee appreciation event, or a much larger corporate gathering, Mayo Grill can help you build a group order around the foods your guests actually want to eat.
Corporate Catering FAQs
Does Mayo Grill offer corporate catering in Aurora?
Yes. Mayo Grill offers catering and larger group orders for corporate lunches, office events, meetings, employee gatherings, parties, and other occasions.
What foods are available for corporate catering?
Mayo Grill offers group options including Italian beef, traditional wings, gyro pans, Philly trays, sandwiches, chicken, burgers, salads, sides, drinks, and other menu items.
How much Italian beef does Mayo Grill offer for catering?
Mayo Grill currently offers a five-pound Italian beef catering package for $124.99 that serves approximately 13–15 guests and includes French bread, fries, hot giardiniera, and au jus.
Does Mayo Grill offer wing catering for corporate events?
Yes. Mayo Grill currently lists 50-piece and 100-piece traditional wing trays. The trays include fries, ranch, and blue cheese.
Does Mayo Grill offer gyro catering?
Yes. Mayo Grill currently offers a half pan of gyro serving approximately 6–8 people and a full pan serving approximately 14–16 people.
Should I order individual meals or catering trays?
Individual meals can work well for smaller meetings where everyone wants something different. Catering trays and larger group quantities can be easier for larger events where food will be served buffet-style.
How much food should I order for a corporate event?
Start with the number of people attending, then consider whether the food is the full meal, how many main dishes are being served, and whether you will also have sides and shareable foods.
How far ahead should I order corporate catering?
For larger corporate orders, it is best to contact Mayo Grill ahead of time with your guest count, menu, desired timing, and pickup or delivery needs so the order can be coordinated properly.
Does Mayo Grill deliver catering?
Mayo Grill offers catering delivery to Aurora and lists nearby communities including Naperville, Montgomery, North Aurora, Oswego, Batavia, and Plainfield. Delivery availability depends on the event location and current ordering conditions.
Where is Mayo Grill located?
Mayo Grill is located at 954 East New York Street Unit B, Aurora, IL 60505.
Planning Food for a Group?
These related Mayo Grill guides can help you plan quantities and menu choices for a larger gathering.
Planning Food for a Crowd? Here’s How Much You Actually Need — a useful guide for estimating portions for larger groups.
How Many Chicken Wings Per Person? — helpful when wings are part of the corporate catering order.
Birthday Party Food Ideas for Kids, Adults & Groups in Aurora, IL — useful for another type of larger group gathering.
Mayo Grill Aurora Catering — view current catering options and request information for a larger order.
Mayo Grill Menu — browse the full menu before deciding what to include.
Planning Corporate Catering in Aurora?
Whether you are feeding a small team, hosting a client meeting, planning an employee appreciation lunch, or organizing a larger company event, Mayo Grill offers individual meals, catering trays, and larger group-order options.
Build your menu around Italian beef, Philly cheesesteaks, wings, gyros, chicken, salads, sides, and other favorites, then contact Mayo Grill to discuss the right quantities and timing for your event.
For larger corporate orders, call ahead so the restaurant can help coordinate your food based on your guest count and event needs.
Corporate Catering & Group Orders
954 East New York Street Unit B
Aurora, IL 60505
(331) 258-6603
Monday–Saturday: 10 AM–10 PM | Sunday: 11 AM–8 PM
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