How to Get the Best Party Trays: Buying Guide
About Sam's Club Party Platters
Do you need to feed 20 family members or 200 employees?
Sam's Club party trays are a simple and cost-effective way to provide food for a large group. Regardless of the occasion, Sam's Club has an expansive selection of deli-style and gourmet foods available.
Our party platters are designed to take the stress out of planning a menu as well as the guesswork out of how much food to order. Before your next party, visit Sam's Club to plan the perfect menu. We also have easy online ordering available.
Does Sam's Club sell party platters?
Sam's Club offers a palate-pleasing selection of party platters. We have something to fit almost any occasion.
Sam's Club party trays are perfect for celebrations, special events and more:
- Holiday get-togethers
- Birthday parties
- Family reunions
- Office parties
- Baby showers
- Teacher appreciation events
- Going away parties
- High school graduation parties
- College graduation celebrations
- School fundraisers
- Cinco de Mayo fiesta
- Employee picnics
- Tailgating at the stadium
- Employee appreciation days
- Wedding receptions
- Professional meet and greets
- Employer-sponsored workshops
- Team building events
- Post-season sports banquets
- House warming parties
- Annual town hall meetings
- New Year's Eve extravaganzas
How much are party platters at Sam's Club?
Prices vary, depending on the party platter.
Here are two sample menus to give you an idea of how Sam's Club members-only prices help you stay under budget:
Sample menu #1:
- Pinwheel party tray (40 wraps) ($29.98)
- Seasonal fruit tray (6 pounds) ($17.98)
- Artisan wrap variety tray (approx. 3 dozen) ($13.98)
- Gourmet vegetable tray (4 pounds) ($9.98)
- Member's Mark cookie tray (84 count) ($19.98)
- Gourmet fudge party tray (32 ounces) ($14.98)
Sample menu #2:
- Chicken salad sandwich party tray (9 count) ($24.98)
- Fruit tray with Colby and cheddar cheese cubes ($22.98)
- Shrimp tray (1 pound shrimp, 4 ounces co*cktail sauce) ($10.98)
- Mediterranean tapas platter (4.3 pounds) ($16.98)
- Cheesecake miniatures (63 count) ($12.76)
- Member's Mark gourmet brownie platter (20 count) ($19.98)
How many people will party trays feed?
When planning any type of event that involves feeding a crowd, one of the toughest challenges is how to determine the amount of food needed. The amount of food to order differs by the type of event. You'll need to order more food for an afternoon picnic-style BBQ than for an after-hours co*cktail party (given the same number of attendees).
Sam's Club party trays typically come with recommended suggested servings per platter, making it easy for you to estimate the amount of food you might need.
How do I estimate the right amount of food for my next party?
You'll need to weigh multiple factors to determine the right amount of food to order:
- The number of people expected to attend
- The makeup of the group—men, women and children
- Time of day (or night) the event begins
- How long the event will last
Here are some basic guidelines, broken down by course.
- Appetizers: With small hors d'oeuvres-style bites, estimate four to six pieces per person per hour. For larger groups, add more choices rather than more of the same party platter.
- Entrees: As a general rule of thumb, party planners suggest serving one pound of food per adult and half a pound per child.
- Dessert: Amounts will vary depending on the type of dessert served. Generally, one slice of cake or one cupcake is recommended for each guest. If serving smaller items such as cookies, brownies or mini cheesecake bites, calculate 2.5 pieces per person. (Expert tip: Include several fresh fruit trays on the dessert table. Guests tend to go lighter on the desserts when fruit is present.)
If your budget allows, order more of the food items that you anticipate will be the most popular. As an example, platters of shrimp with co*cktail sauce tend to be very popular. Guests often take more than the suggested recommended serving per person.
If your budget is a little tight, include bulk or "filler" items on the snack trays to keep them full:
- Chips and salsa
- Specialty spreads and dips
- Dinner rolls
- Bagels
- Nuts
- Olives
- Pickles
- Pretzels
- Hummus and pita chips
- Snack crackers
These inexpensive editions ensure that appetizer trays and main menu items go farther. Add these items to your SamsClub.com cart while ordering party trays. You won't create more work for yourself, but you will have peace of mind knowing you'll have plenty of food for everyone.
How Do I Keep My Party Tray Fresh?
The best way to ensure freshness is to order and pick up your party trays as close to the day of the event as possible. You can come to a Sam's Club near you or order online.
How do you keep party trays cold?
Most appetizer and entree party platters require refrigeration. The best way to keep food fresh is to order them at Sam's Club, then pick them up on the day of your event. Sam's Club will keep the items refrigerated until they are picked up.
How long do party trays stay fresh?
Items that are vacuum-sealed—a Hormel Gathering's Party Pack or Mediterranean Antipasto Platter, for example—will stay fresh longer but still require refrigeration.
Party platters that are not vacuum sealed should be served within two to three days of purchase. Consume all sushi within 24 hours of purchase.
FAQ: Sam's Club Party Trays
How much in advance do I need to order a party tray?
Most of Sam's Club party platters require at least a 24-hour advance order.
Does Sam's Club sell any gluten-free party trays?
Fruit and cheese trays, gourmet veggie trays, Mediterranean tapas platters and deli meat trays are some of the gluten-free options available.
How big are the chicken croissant sandwiches?
Each sandwich is made with a large croissant and packed with Sam's Club's signature rotisserie chicken salad. Most customers suggest cutting the sandwiches in half, which still offers a large amount per serving.
What are the pinwheels filled with?
The pinwheel wraps party tray includes 20 buffalo chicken and 20 sun-dried tomato with turkey wraps.
Does Sam's Club have chicken wings party platters?
Although we do not offer pre-made chicken wing platters, we have a variety of fully-cooked warm and serve chickenwings.
