Prepare a customized catering service agreement to define the rights and responsibilities of both parties. Outline the scope, date, and payment terms of catering services.
Last Update May 13th, 2023
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- What is a Catering Contract
- Terms and Conditions Catering Contract Covers
- How to Write a Catering Contract
- Catering Contract Sample
- Other Types of Service Contracts
- Catering Contracts: Frequent Questions
Catering Service Agreement
What is a Catering Contract
Catering contracts are used by caterers and their clients to document their agreements and engagements. This document includes all the terms and conditions of the catering services that will be provided.
It is a business form that specifies the types of food and refreshments that will be provided by a caterer for a specific date or period of time. When drafted correctly, a catering contract is crucial in ensuring that an event runs smoothly and that there are no disagreements or misunderstandings between the two parties.
Types of Catering Services
Not all catering is the same. Depending on the type of event being organized by the client, they will need to hire different types of catering services. Some of the most common types are outlined below:
Corporate catering: Provision of food and beverages at staff events or business and corporate functions. It may include events such as luncheons, upscale dinners, conferences board meetings, product launches, and many others.
Wedding catering: Catering for weddings often involves helping with decor, food presentation, and table arrangements, as well as taking into account the wedding themes—in addition to serving food and drinks.
Social event gathering: Provision of food and drinks for more events such as parties, hors d’oeuvres, buffets, outdoor BBQs, and brunches.
Concession catering: Catering for major occasions, such as sporting competitions, live concerts, and large conferences.
Terms and Conditions Catering Contract Covers
Looking to hire a caterer for an event? Then you need to make sure you have a rock-solid catering contract so that your event runs successfully. Your contract should include all the necessary details so that both parties are clear on their responsibilities and everything works out smoothly.
Here are the essentials terms and condictions to include in any catering contract:
Name and contact information of both parties
Menu and food to be served
Food substitutions and alternates
Type of food service provided
Leftover food and beverages
Staffing requirements
Additional items and services that need to be supplied
Fees and payment schedule
Insurance and liabilities
Health and safety requirements
Cancellation policy
Breach of contract terms
How to Write a Catering Contract
Creating a contract is an essential part of any successful catering project.
However, a catering contract needs various key details in order to be legally binding and to ensure it holds up in court. Having all the necessary information also helps avoid future misunderstandings and conflicts.
A caterer agreement is a relatively straightforward document that can be created online without having to pay for a lawyer. However, if it’s not written properly, it may cause issues between both sides.
We provide caterer contract templates that are verified by professional legal experts to ensure they include all the necessary sections and details. In addition, by using our legal document builder, you can quickly input your information without having to design the template yourself.
Catering Contract Sample
We recommend looking at a 100% verified sample catering contract before starting your own.
Use our example below to get a feel for the points to cover and details to include in your own customized agreement.
Catering Contracts: Frequent Questions
A caterer contract needs to be prepared carefully to avoid misunderstandings and disagreements between the two parties. To find out more about how these agreements work and must be prepared, check our FAQs below.
Who Should Use a Catering Contract?
A catering contract can be used by a client to hire a caterer to provide food for an event. It is commonly used by companies that want to organize staff events; for fundraisers; by wedding planners; and in general by any individual or organization that wants to plan an event of any kind that will require food.
How to get a catering contract template?
A catering contract is a simple document that can be written online without having to pay for a lawyer. However, if it’s not written properly, it may cause issues between both sides further down the line. By using a verified catering contract template, you can quickly drag and drop your information without having to design or structure the document yourself.
How does a catering payment schedule work?
A client will often pay a caterer with a deposit when the contract is signed, another installment on a specific date closer to the event, and a final amount after the event has taken place. In this case, the final payment will also include additional fees for any extra services that were provided.
Determining how a caterer will be paid can be done in different ways. A caterer can sometimes be paid a fixed fee or a certain amount for each time period, on an “hourly”, weekly”, “monthly”, or “yearly” basis. Compensation may also be decided by the number of food items, guests, or servers required for the event.
It’s also important to note that every catering contract should specify the payment requirements for food and services provided by the caterer. Not only should it include the cost of each course, but also the hourly rate for any catering staff working at the event, fees for additional guests, and costs associated with extra food options. There may also be terms specifying overtime or overage charges for extra services.