Ordering Loaded Fries for the Whole Office

Every office has one: the person who gets volunteered to place the group food order. If that person is you, loaded fries can be one of the easiest ways to make a lot of coworkers happy at once. They are shareable, they travel well, and they come in flavors that let everyone find something they like. The trick is knowing how many to order, how to pick flavors, and how to keep everything hot and crisp until it hits the conference table.

Here is a simple guide to ordering loaded fries for a group at work, from counting heads to handling the one coworker who says they do not like spicy food.

Start With the Headcount, Not the Menu

Before you look at flavors, figure out who is eating and what the occasion is. A quick team lunch is different from a meeting where the food is a side note. Ask yourself a few questions.

• How many people are actually eating, including anyone joining remotely who will be in the office that day?
• Is this the main meal or a snack to share during a meeting?
• Will people be eating together at one time, or grabbing food as they pass through?

When fries are the main meal, plan on more per person than when they are a shared side. When they are a snack between meetings, a few trays shared around the table go a long way. It is always better to be slightly generous than to leave the last few people with an empty tray.

Pick Flavors by Personality, Not Just Preference

FryDay offers four signature loaded fries flavors, which makes a group order simple. Think of them as four personalities at the table.

• Nashville Hot Chicken is for the coworker who always asks for extra heat.
• Caribbean Jerk is for people who like warm, savory spice with depth.
• Mango Habanero is for the crowd that enjoys sweet heat.
• BBQ Bacon is for the safe, smoky favorite that almost everyone enjoys.

A mixed order usually works better than one flavor for everyone. If you are not sure how your team feels about spice, include BBQ Bacon as a familiar anchor and add one or two bolder flavors for the adventurous. A short message in the team chat asking for flavor votes can save you from guessing, and it makes people feel included.

Handle Dietary Needs Early

Ask for allergies and dietary restrictions before you order, not after the food arrives. A simple note in the team chat works well. Share anything you learn with the restaurant so they can answer questions about ingredients. If you are unsure about a specific need, ask the team directly rather than assuming, and make sure there is a plan for anyone who cannot eat the fries so they are not left out.

Place the Order Smartly

For groups, ordering ahead is a good habit. FryDay runs a ghost kitchen, so you can order online for pickup or delivery rather than waiting in line during a short lunch break. Think about timing as well. Place your order early enough that food can be ready when you want to eat, and tell your team what time to expect it.

If you are placing a large order, call ahead and talk through it with the team. For bigger office events, catering may be the better path than a regular lunch run, and you can learn more at the catering page.

Keep the Fries Crisp From Pickup to Table

Loaded fries are best when they arrive hot. A few simple habits help.

• Pick up close to the time you plan to eat, and avoid letting trays sit in a car.
• Keep trays open for a short moment if steam builds up, so the fries do not soften under a closed lid.
• Set up the table before you arrive with napkins, forks, and a spot for sharing.
• Serve right away, and let people dig in while everything is warm.

If food has to wait, keep it in a single layer where you can, and eat sooner rather than later. Fries are at their best in the first stretch after they are made.

Set Up the Table for Sharing

Loaded fries are social food, so lay the trays out where people can reach them from more than one side. Provide plenty of napkins and forks, since toppings can be generous. Label the trays with a sticky note naming the flavor so coworkers do not have to ask, and place milder flavors near the front for anyone who wants an easy start.

A good tip is to put out smaller paper plates for people who like to sample a few flavors rather than commit to one. It keeps the table friendly and the mess manageable.

Make It a Team Moment

A lunch run is a small chance to build team spirit. Invite people to try a flavor they have not had before, and let the team vote on a favorite. Some offices turn it into a recurring tradition, with a different person choosing the flavor each time. It costs nothing extra and gives the lunch a little personality.

A Quick Checklist for the Person Who Got Volunteered

• Count who is eating and decide whether fries are the meal or the snack.
• Ask for flavor votes and any dietary needs.
• Choose a mix of flavors with a familiar anchor.
• Order ahead online and share the pickup time with the team.
• Pick up close to mealtime and set the table before you arrive.
• Label trays, add napkins and forks, and serve right away.

About FryDay

FryDay is a gourmet loaded fries food truck and ghost kitchen in Los Angeles, founded on July 4, 2019, in Van Nuys by Theophilos "Theo" Okuribido. Whether you are ordering for a handful of coworkers or planning something larger, we are happy to help you find the right fit. You can explore ordering options at frydayeats.com.

Ready to bring FryDay to your next event? Visit frydayeats.com/catering or call us at 818-930-0072. See what's new at FryDay: https://youtu.be/8XZCiAgLpvM?si=sJjAsYsaFgbuuYwN