Lunch Rush

For nearly four and a half years, Elissa Salk has played a key role in shaping memorable experiences for employees, customers, and industry partners across ezCater. As Senior Events Manager, she leads the planning and execution of everything from large-scale internal celebrations to high-profile external events that showcase ezCater’s brand and thought leadership.

Summer is the perfect time for office parties, outdoor picnics, and team bonding. And what brings your team together faster than food? (According to the data, not much.) But if you’re stuck on the average summer office pizzas and sandwiches, these summer catering ideas will help you branch outside the box and deliver an unforgettable event.

If you’re managing food for a 24/7 operation, you’re dealing with more than logistics and labor. You’re making sure every shift — nights, weekends, early mornings — has access to a reliable meal. That sounds simple in theory. In practice, shift worker catering can be one of the more complicated parts of running a large operation. You may need to feed anywhere from 50 to 1,000+ employees, accommodate dietary needs, and manage costs across sites and departments.

At ezCater, we firmly believe that sandwiches are never a bad choice for lunch. And if your team is based on the west coast, we also firmly believe that Togo’s is sure to please your hungry colleagues. Togo’s has been stacking big, fresh, meaty sandwiches since 1971, and its catering lineup is built for groups. Their sandwiches and salads are filling and flavorful, a solid choice for workplaces seeking something universally enjoyed yet anything but boring.

Throwing a summer party at work is easy: fire up the grill, throw on some burgers and hot dogs, and call it a day. But throwing an elegant summer party for the office can be trickier. Thankfully, there are plenty of summer dishes for lunch that offer lighter, seasonal fare while still creating a sophisticated spread that will impress your guests. The key: look for seasonal foods (like fish, summer fruits, or fresh vegetables) prepared in elegant ways, or unique menu items.

Work is settling into something new, but it still doesn’t feel settled. Expectations around when — and how often — people come into the office continue to shift, AI has become part of everyday work, and employees are navigating a workday that looks different than it did even a year ago. Even as 81% say they’re satisfied with their work-life balance, employees still want more control over where they work, how they spend their time, and what makes time in the office feel worthwhile.

It was like a scene out of a rom-com: Man travels to Mexico. Man falls deeply in love. Man returns, bringing his love of catering fresh seafood back with him. Ralph Rubio, founder of Rubio’s Coastal Grill, will change the way you think about traditional fish tacos. We put together this Rubio’s catering guide to walk you through the menu, prices, dietary options, and our honest take on what’s worth ordering.

Planning a barbecue spread for your next office lunch or team celebration? Dickey’s Barbecue Pit makes it easy to feed a crowd with slow-smoked meats, hearty sides, and big-batch packages built for groups. But with party packs, buffets, and box lunches all on the table, knowing what to order takes a little know-how. This Dickey’s catering guide walks you through the menu, prices, dietary options, and a few insider tips to help you order with confidence.

Does Newks offer catering packages? Yes. Newk’s offers catering packages including combo boxes, boxed lunches, and sandwich and slider trays. You can mix and match to fit your group size and budget. What company owns Newk’s Eatery? Newk’s Eatery is owned by FSC Franchise Co., the same company behind Beef ‘O’ Brady’s. FSC acquired Newk’s and has focused on growing the brand since. How much is a whole cake at Newk’s? A whole cake at Newk’s is around $44.99 and includes 12 slices.

ezCater’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are built to create a more inclusive, connected workplace. Growing from employee-led affinity groups, ERGs provide a more formal, accessible, and supported structure. These identity-based, employee-led communities have visibility and company backing, ensuring all employees can engage, connect, and drive meaningful change together.