What 5,000 Sandwiches Taught Us About Bristol’s Favourite Lunches — Insights from Double Puc Catering
Delivering sandwiches might sound simple — until you’re producing over 5,000 of them for Bristol’s offices, events, and meetings in just one quarter.
At Double Puc Catering, we’ve seen first-hand what works, what gets left behind, and how tastes are evolving. Every sandwich we make is tracked, planned, and produced using RocketOS, our in-house production system, giving us data-driven insights into what Bristol really wants when it comes to corporate lunches.
Here’s what we’ve learned — and how it can help you plan your next event without overcomplicating your order.
1. The Classics Still Win — Simplicity is King
While new flavours and seasonal specials have their place, our Q1 2025 data showed one thing clearly: the simple sandwiches always outperform the complex ones.
Our most popular sandwich? The Ploughman’s.
Cheddar cheese, pickle, lettuce, tomato — a combination as old as British pubs themselves.
It made up over 11% of every sandwich we delivered in Q1.
Proof that well-executed classics are hard to beat, especially at lunchtime.
That said, we’re expecting the Ploughman’s to dip slightly as we head into summer — heavier, cheese-based sandwiches naturally fall off as lighter, fresher flavours come in.
2. Bread Matters — Variety Keeps Guests Happy
It’s not just what’s inside the sandwich — the bread plays a huge role in guest satisfaction.
At Double Puc, we use:
Bloomer Loaves
Square Tin (Classic Sliced)
Baguettes
Focaccia
Brioche Buns
Sourdough — sourced locally from Hobbs House Bakery and Pinkman’s
This variety isn’t just for show — different events (and diets) prefer different textures and flavours. Light sourdoughs suit summer meetings, while brioche is perfect for more indulgent fillings.
👉 Pro Tip: If you’re planning a large event, mixing bread types keeps the spread visually exciting and caters to all preferences.
3. Veggie and Vegan Options Lead the Pack
Perhaps our most surprising — and exciting — takeaway from Q1:
7 of our top 10 best-selling sandwiches were vegetarian or vegan.
✅ Veggie & vegan options made up 52% of our total sandwich deliveries.
That’s not just good news for the planet — it reflects changing dietary preferences across workplaces:
More people choosing plant-based for health or ethics
Flexitarians opting for lighter, veg-forward lunches
Vegan options offering wider appeal at mixed-diet events
Popular plant-based choices included:
Roast vegetable & hummus baguettes
Vegan cheese & pickle classics
Falafel wraps with tahini dressing
Grilled Mediterranean veg on focaccia
For event planners, the message is clear — don’t treat veggie or vegan as an afterthought. These options aren’t just requested — they’re often the first to disappear.
4. Overordering? Sandwiches Are the Real Budget Killer
It’s easy to think you need to order piles of food for your event “just in case,” but our data confirms what experience has taught us:
📉 Sandwiches are filling — overordering adds cost but rarely gets eaten.
📉 Fruit is the second most over-ordered item — especially melon-heavy platters that guests pick at.
📈 Balanced ordering — 1.5 sandwiches per person — hits the sweet spot.
With RocketOS, we help our clients plan portions precisely, ensuring you stay within budget, reduce waste, and deliver just the right amount.
5. How Do We Know All This? Meet RocketOS — Our Secret Weapon
One of the reasons Double Puc can share these insights is because we don’t guess — we track everything.
Using RocketOS, our in-house hospitality production system, we:
Plan every sandwich order across our four stores and catering operations
Track allergens, ingredients, and special requests
Generate printed labels for every product — allergen-safe and event-ready
Report back on the most ordered products, preferences, and seasonal trends
This means better planning, less waste, and the ability to advise clients based on real data, not assumptions.
6. Summer Predictions — Lighter, Fresher, Still Balanced
Looking ahead to summer 2025, our planning is focused on: ✅ Lighter flavours — expect chicken Caesar wraps, roasted veg & pesto, summer slaws
✅ Increased demand for vegan/plant-based options
✅ Continued popularity of classics like ham & mustard or egg mayo
✅ More fresh bread options — including local sourdoughs and focaccia
💼 Double Puc Catering — Sandwiches, Sorted
Planning an event or office lunch? Here’s what you get with Double Puc: ✅ 1.5 sandwiches per person — perfectly portioned
✅ Seasonal, local ingredients from Bristol’s best bakers and suppliers
✅ Fully labelled platters with allergen info — ready to serve
✅ Expert support to balance meat, veggie, and vegan orders
We’re not just delivering sandwiches — we’re delivering smarter catering solutions that taste great, cut waste, and make your event run smoothly.
👉 Explore our menus and order online: doublepuc.com/catering