Summer corporate retreat catering can increase employee productivity! It’s a great opportunity to install some feel-good factor into your team and motivate them to stay another year. 

Yes, team bonding under the summer sun with great food is one of those times when people are genuinely happy to be at work. 

But the quality of your summer corporate retreat catering can make or break the experience. With mediocre food and mediocre service, it will be a disappointment. Suddenly, your team can feel utterly undervalued. 

On the other hand, knock it out of the park with incredible food, and you’ll leave a lasting impact. 

At Goode Co. Catering & Events, we regularly host summer corporate retreats in Houston, and we’re here to guide you through the planning in 5 easy steps:

Step 1: Define Your Summer Corporate Retreat Goals and Guest List

Define your guest list

First up, define your corporate catering guest list. This will help you keep to your budget and make the planning process go much smoother, especially when it comes to food and space.

Pro tips: always confirm dietary restrictions in advance (our catering team is happy to meet all and any requests). 

Team building?

Putting a focus on team building may require tasks that focus on teamwork and a shared experience. 

Reports say that retreats can improve internal communication by up to 50%, which is especially important in our era of remote or hybrid teams. 

Motivation and appreciation?

Hosting your retreat with a sense of celebration can put a focus on appreciation for your corporate team, via fun activities and a sense of letting their hair down, which can increase employee happiness too.

Product or service launches?

You may also want to celebrate the launch of a new product or service, rewarding your team’s efforts to get to this point. You can host your retreat alongside presentations, training, and the big reveal. It’s a great way to make a deal about it, rather than an underwhelming digital release. 

Internal training?

Alternatively, you might be looking to take your team away to give some focused training. You can host presentations or instructional speakers alongside all the fun and charm of the retreat, ensuring it has a memorable effect. 

Step 2: Choose the Right Venue for Your Summer Corporate Retreat

Indoor or outdoor

Depending on the size of your guest list, it might be best to go for the outdoor option. With the fresh air and sunny vibes, you’ll be able to boost your spirits. 

Plus, outdoor allows having a live mesquite barbeque with Goode Co. Catering & Events’ – imagine the crackling brisket and pork, getting carved up directly onto your plate. 

Alternatively, if you’re concerned about the heat you can opt for an indoor setting with AC. However, make sure you pick somewhere that won’t disappoint when it comes to the aesthetic. So many retreats get held in the same-old decor and there’s nothing memorable about that. 

Consider logistics

When selecting a venue, make sure there is enough parking and accessibility for your team. The last thing you want to do is have 100 people arrive with nowhere to park, or see people with disabilities unable to enter.

Recommended corporate retreat catering venues in Houston

Goode Co. Catering & Events’ locations are amongst the top-rated on Google reviews and are all authentically Texan. 

The Armadillo Palace

Goode Co. Barbeque

Goode Co. Seafood

Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina

Step 3: Pick a Corporate Catering Style that Fits the Event

Buffet, plated, or boxed?

These three serving options can make a big difference to the mood at your summer corporate retreat.

A buffet, or live-station bar setup, brings a very relaxed approach, with guests up on their feet, able to talk to those who aren’t sitting directly next to them. It’s an ideal approach if you’re dealing with a big group with a focus on team building. 

Plated set-ups are better suited to smaller groups, where you’re all within earshot of each other. There’s no need to leave the table in these scenarios. It can also reduce interruptions, which may be a priority if you’re planning an important discussion. 

Boxed meals are suitable if you’re choosing a venue away from our restaurants. For example, Goode Co. Catering & Events can deliver pre-prepared barbeque meals to an external venue where you’re hosting your retreat. 

Design your menus

Even if you’re taking the buffet option, you’ll still need to choose a general selection of casual or elevated Southern food via a menu.

It’s often a good idea to send out a poll to your guest list to see the numbers on preferences for barbeque, TexMex, or seafood. You can get more specific, asking about the choices of meats, sides, drinks, and desserts. 

Here’s a look at some of our recommendations: 

Barbeque Menu

TexMex Menu

Seafood

Incorporate Fun Activities and Breaks in your Summer Corporate Retreat

Remember to keep your summer corporate retreat fun with lots going on to break up the day, such as games, competitions, live music, or guest speakers. If you have any requests to make immersive ideas possible, Goode Co. Catering & Events’ team will be happy to incorporate them into your visit. 

Our catering team can also put together snack breaks or happy hours, with drinks at our chic bar Yonderlust – so it’s not just meal time that keeps everyone fueled. 

Finally, why not plan a branded giveaway at the end of the retreat? It gives everyone something to look forward to and could either be random or based on team performance during games. 

Book Your Summer Corporate Retreat Catering Today

Working with Goode Co. Catering & Events will ensure your corporate retreat is flawless and professional at all times. You won’t need to worry about setup, clean-up, and all that stress. We make it simple. 

We highly recommend early booking, with the following recommended turnaround:

You can book now via our online form. We can’t wait to see your team soon!