Here’s good news for caterers heading into the holiday season: Companies are increasing their holiday party budgets by an average of 13%, and employees are eager to gather over good food. Some 84% plan to attend the celebration this year, up from 82% in 2025.
Those are among the findings from ezCater’s 2026 Workplace Holiday Party Report. The food tech platform conducted an online survey in July 2026 of 1,000 full-time employees and 605 workplace decision-makers involved in holiday party planning nationwide.
Alongside the prediction that companies will budget an average of 13% more for holiday parties this season, respondents expected employees to turn out in force for the festivities. Planners rank boosting employee morale (80%), company culture (65%) and team bonding (64%) as the top reasons for this continued investment.
“Employees now have fewer opportunities to interact due to distributed work environments and the increasing use of AI, so companies understand they can’t leave connection to chance,” said Robert Kaskel, vice president of people, ezCater. “By investing in the annual holiday party, they are intentionally creating space for workplace friendships and better collaboration to take root.”
Additional findings from ezCater’s 2026 Workplace Holiday Party Report include:
- Holiday parties bring workers closer. 81% of employees say holiday parties help them bond and build friendships, and 64% of planners say team bonding that bridges the gap between hybrid and remote workers is a key reason for hosting the party.
- Great food and company give employees a reason to gather. 71% of employees say free food and drinks motivate them to attend, while 52% cite time to catch up with teammates.
- Gen Z is gaining influence over workplace celebrations. Gen Z now makes up 24% of holiday party planners, up 69% from last year. Among Gen Z planners, 93% say food drives excitement for the event, the highest share of any generation.
Good Food Tops the Wish List
In fact, 76% of employees say the food is what they look forward to most—the top answer by a wide margin. As for what tops their list for the ideal holiday party menu:
- Elevated comfort food like gourmet sliders, artisanal mac-and-cheese bars and upscale street food (58%)
- Casual party favorites like pizza, taco bars and pub-style appetizers (51%)
- Dessert bars like cookie-making stations and make-your-own sundaes (51%)
- Traditional holiday feasts like classic roast turkey, ham, stuffing and winter vegetables (39%)
A Smaller Party Beats No Party
Given the choice, 74% of employees would rather have a smaller holiday party than no party at all. As for plus-ones? This year, 66% of planners are allowing workers to bring a guest—and 40% of employees say the option to bring a partner influences their decision to attend.
For caterers, the findings point to a promising holiday season, with companies willing to spend more on celebrations that bring employees together—and food playing a starring role in making those gatherings memorable.
Get The Industry Dish Delivered to Your Inbox
Subscribe to CFE News' twice-monthly newsletter reporting on the business of catering, foodservice and events.
