Family Meal Deals: Feeding a Crowd Without Breaking the Bank

The Challenge of Feeding a Crowd

Whether you're organizing a family gathering, hosting a kids' birthday party, or planning a team lunch at the office, feeding a large group can be both logistically challenging and potentially expensive. Pizza is often the go-to solution, but even with this convenient option, it's easy to over-order, under-order, or miss opportunities for significant savings.

At Pizza Depot, we've served countless large groups over the years, and we've gained valuable insights into how to feed a crowd efficiently and economically. This guide will help you navigate portion sizes, combo deals, and ordering strategies to get the most value when feeding a group.

Understanding Portion Sizes

The first step to ordering efficiently is understanding realistic portion sizes. While appetites vary, these general guidelines can help you estimate how much food you'll need:

Pizza Portions

Group Size	Small Eaters	Average Eaters	Hungry Group
2-3 people	1 large pizza	1 large + appetizer	1 large + 1 medium
4-6 people	2 large pizzas	2 large + appetizer	3 large pizzas
7-10 people	3 large pizzas	3 large + wings	4 large + appetizers
11-15 people	4-5 large pizzas	5 large + appetizers	6 large + wings + apps
16-20 people	6-7 large pizzas	7 large + wings	8 large + multiple sides

Side Dish Portions

• Wings: Plan for about 4-6 wings per person if wings are a main component, or 2-3 wings per person if they're a side dish.
• Breadsticks: Our regular order (8 sticks) serves about 3-4 people as a side.
• Salads: Our family-size salads serve 4-6 people as a side dish.
• Dips: Order one dip container for every 1-2 pizzas.

Pizza Depot's Value Combos: Breaking Down the Savings

Our combo deals are specifically designed to provide maximum value for groups. Here's a detailed breakdown of our most popular family combos and when to choose each one:

"The Team Feast has been a lifesaver for our monthly office lunches. It's enough food for our team of 15, and the variety means everyone finds something they like. Plus, it's significantly cheaper than ordering individual lunches." - Regular corporate customer

Strategies for Maximizing Value

Beyond simply choosing a combo deal, these strategies can help you get even more value when feeding a group:

1. Consider Your Group's Demographics

Different groups have different appetites and preferences:

• Kids' Parties: Children typically eat 1-2 slices each. For a party of 10 kids, two large pizzas is usually sufficient, especially if you're serving cake and other snacks.
• Teenage Groups: Plan for significantly more food - teenagers often eat double what adults do. For 10 teenagers, 4-5 large pizzas may be necessary.
• Adult Gatherings: Consider the timing and nature of the event. People eat more at dinner than lunch, and more at casual gatherings than formal events.

2. Create a Balanced Order

The most satisfying group meals typically include:

• A mix of classic and specialty pizzas
• At least one vegetarian option
• A variety of side dishes (wings, breadsticks, salad)
• Different dipping sauces for wings and breadsticks

This variety ensures everyone finds something they enjoy and creates a more interesting dining experience.

3. Take Advantage of Timing

Strategic timing can lead to additional savings:

• Weekly Specials: Monday is 2-for-1 medium pizzas, Wednesday is half-price wings with any pizza purchase, and Thursday is $5 off any family combo.
• Off-Peak Ordering: For large orders, consider ordering during non-peak hours (2-4pm) for faster service and occasional manager specials.
• Pre-Orders: For groups of 15+, place your order at least 3 hours in advance (or the day before for very large orders) to ensure availability and proper preparation time.

4. Join the Loyalty Program

Our loyalty program offers significant benefits for those who frequently order for groups:

• Earn 10 points for every dollar spent
• Redeem 2000 points for a free large pizza
• Redeem 3000 points for a free 10-piece wing order
• Members receive exclusive combo deals not available to the general public
• Birthday rewards include a free medium pizza

For large orders, the points accumulate quickly, creating additional value for future orders.

Catering for Very Large Groups

For groups larger than 20 people, our standard combos may not be sufficient. In these cases, our catering options provide the best value:

Corporate Catering Package

Starting at $8.99 per person (minimum 20 people), this includes:

• Assorted pizzas (calculated at 3 slices per person)
• Wings (3 per person)
• Garden salad
• Breadsticks
• Assorted dips
• Plates, napkins, and utensils
• Optional: Soft drinks for an additional $1.50 per person

The advantage of catering packages is that they're precisely portioned for your group size, eliminating the guesswork.

Managing Dietary Requirements

One of the challenges of feeding a large group is accommodating various dietary needs. Here's how to handle common requirements:

Halal Requirements

All Pizza Depot locations are 100% halal certified, so everyone in your group can enjoy our entire menu without concerns.

Vegetarian Options

We recommend that 25-30% of your order be vegetarian, even for predominantly non-vegetarian groups. Popular options include:

• Veggie Supreme (bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, black olives, tomatoes)
• Mediterranean (feta, spinach, olives, tomatoes, red onions)
• Spicy Paneer (for Indian fusion lovers)

Gluten-Sensitive Guests

While our kitchen isn't gluten-free, we offer a cauliflower crust option that many gluten-sensitive (not celiac) customers appreciate. We recommend ordering one medium cauliflower crust pizza for every 2-3 gluten-sensitive guests.

Dairy-Free Needs

We offer dairy-free cheese substitutes for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. Simply specify this when ordering.

Handling Leftovers

When feeding a crowd, leftovers are often inevitable. Here's how to handle them:

• Pizza remains safe at room temperature for up to 2 hours
• Refrigerated pizza stays good for up to 3-4 days
• For kids' parties or office events, consider having take-home containers available so guests can take leftovers
• Pizza can be frozen for up to 2 months; reheat directly from frozen in a 375°F oven for best results

Real-World Examples

To illustrate these principles, here are some real-world ordering examples from actual Pizza Depot customers: