How Many Sandwiches Per Person? Portion Planning Tips for Office Lunches and Events

26 Mar

When it comes to planning catering for meetings, corporate lunches, or events, portioning sandwiches correctly is crucial. Too few, and guests leave hungry. Too many, and you’re left with waste — and a hefty bill.

At Double Puc Catering, we deliver thousands of sandwiches across Bristol every month. Here’s our guide to getting the quantity right — ensuring everyone’s fed without over-ordering or wasting food.

Why Sandwich Portioning Matters

✅ Cost control: Sandwiches are one of the most expensive elements of a buffet
✅ Minimised waste: Over-ordering leads to leftovers, especially fruit and bread-heavy platters
✅ Guest satisfaction: You want just enough — not too little or too much

✅ The Golden Rule: Plan for 1.5 Sandwiches Per Person

Our experience shows 1.5 rounds per person is the perfect balance for most events. One “round” means two slices of bread (or a full sandwich), usually cut into quarters.

Example:

10 people = 15 rounds of sandwiches
30 people = 45 rounds of sandwiches

This ensures there’s plenty of food without overloading your guests or your budget.

Why Not Order 2 per Person?

Sandwiches are filling — most people don’t eat two full rounds alongside crisps, salads, and sweets
Bread-heavy platters are often the first thing left over
Adding fruit or desserts lowers sandwich consumption naturally
Over-catering wastes money and food — especially on summer days or light lunches

Fruit Platters: The Classic Over-Order

We see it all the time — mountains of melon and pineapple left untouched. Fruit is healthy, yes, but it’s heavy and fills guests up fast.

✅ Tip: Stick to 100g of fruit per person — especially if desserts or pastries are included.

Smart Sides and Extras

Crisps: 1 sharing bowl per 5 people
Salads: 1 large bowl per 10-12 people
Sweet treats: Half a slice or mini portion per head

This keeps things balanced, enjoyable, and waste-free.

💼 Double Puc Catering — Bristol’s Sandwich and Event Experts

From BS1 to BS8, Double Puc Catering delivers freshly made sandwich platters and balanced menus designed for Bristol businesses and events.

✅ Seasonal fillings, vegan & GF options
✅ Smart portioning to avoid waste
✅ Corporate lunches, client events, summer parties

👉 Explore our menus: doublepuc.com/catering

Ed Brown