What people are actually booking this year
A few things have shifted, and they’re worth knowing before you plan.
Food matters more than the venue. The research backs up what I’ve seen for 20 years. Employees say exceptional food is the thing that makes them want to show up, and it’s what they look forward to most about the party. Nobody remembers the centerpieces.
Stations and heavy appetizers are beating sit-down dinners. People want to move around and talk instead of being locked to a seat for two hours. Heavy apps and a couple of carving or pasta stations keep the room loose. This is the format we’re quoting most this year.
Budgets are up. Nationally, companies are running roughly $44 per person on food and drink, and a good chunk of businesses increased their party budget this year. That’s a real number to plan against.
Smaller and more often. Some companies are doing a few smaller team parties instead of one big night, especially where not everyone would show up to the big one. We can do either.
Thursdays are underrated. Everybody fights over Fridays and Saturdays in December. A Thursday party is easier to book, usually cheaper, and more people come because they’re already at work that day.
Your three options with us
1. We come to you. Your office, your shop, your firehall, your club. We bring the food, the setup and the people. This is most of what we do in December.
2. You come to us. The Palazzo, our banquet hall in McAdoo, handles a full company party or a big family holiday gathering under one roof. No renting a hall and then finding a caterer separately.
3. Drop-off. Smaller crew, tighter budget, no service staff needed. We cook it, you pick it up or we drop it, and you run it yourself.
What to have ready when you call
Makes the whole thing take ten minutes instead of three phone calls:
Headcount, even a rough one
Date, plus a backup date
Where, and whether that spot has a kitchen or just outlets
Format: sit-down, buffet, stations, or heavy apps
Any allergies or dietary needs in the group
Your per-person budget, if you have one. Tell me straight and I’ll build to it.
Get your date on the calendar
Call 570-929-7200 or go to capriottisinc.com. Tell us what you’re thinking and we’ll put it together.
