Catering Contract Template

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.

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Last Update November 13th, 2023

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Table of Contents:

What is a Catering Contract
Terms and Conditions Catering Contract Covers
How to Write a Catering Contract
Catering Contract Sample
Related Documents
Other Types of Service Contracts
Catering Contracts: Frequent Questions

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.

Other Types of Service Contracts

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.

You are only a few steps away from your own Catering Service Agreement!

Preview of your Catering Service Agreement

SERVICE AGREEMENT

This Service Agreement (hereinafter, the "Agreement"), is dated as of _________ (hereinafter, the "Effective Date"), and is entered into by and between the following parties:

_________ of _________, _________ and _________ (hereinafter, the "Client"),

and

_________ of _________, _________ and _________ (hereinafter, the "Contractor").

1. SERVICES During the term of the Agreement, _________ shall perform the following services for _________ (hereinafter, the "Services"): • _________

2. PAYMENT AMOUNT AND METHOD

During the Term of the Agreement, the Client agrees to pay the Contractor as follows:

Regular payments of $_________ hourly.

_________ agrees to pay, in addition to the principal and interest due hereon, all reasonable attorney fees, plus all other costs and expenses of collection and enforcement.

In addition to any other right or remedy provided by law, the failure of _________ to pay for the Services when due shall be considered a material breach of this contract, and _________ may terminate this Agreement and/or seek legal remedies.

3. TERM

This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until completion of the Services by the Contractor, unless earlier terminated as provided herein, or unless extended by mutual agreement expressed in writing signed by both parties prior to the completion of the Services by the Contractor.

4. OWNERSHIP OF WORK

The Contractor acknowledges and agrees that all intellectual property and related material, including but not limited to any copyrightable works, ideas, discoveries, inventions, patents, products or other information (hereinafter, the "Work Product"), performed under this Agreement shall be considered "Work Made for Hire" as defined in the U.S. Copyright laws and, therefore, shall be owned by and be for the express benefit of the Client.

If requested by the Client, the Contractor will provide and execute all necessary documentation to confirm or perfect the ownership of the Client to the Work Product.

5. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

The Contractor certifies that, in providing the Services under this Agreement, he is acting as an independent contractor and not as an employee or an agent. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute an employment, agency, joint venture or partnership relationship between the parties.

6. NON-EXCLUSIVE CLAUSE

The Parties hereby acknowledge that this Agreement is non-exclusive, and nothing herein shall prevent either Party from entering into similar or same agreements with third parties.

7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute and is hereinafter referred to as an "Event of Default":

a. If either party fails to make a required payment when due.

b. If either party becomes unable to perform its duties and fails to make available or deliver the Services in the time and manner provided for in this Contract.

c. If either party becomes or is declared insolvent or bankrupt.

d. If either party's property becomes subject to any levy, seizure, general assignment for the benefit of creditors, application or sale for or by any creditor or government agency.

8. REMEDIES

In the event that either party (hereinafter, the "Defaulting Party") fails to perform any of its material obligations under this contract, or if any one of the hereinabove described Events of Default occurs which causes damage to the other Party (hereinafter, the "Non-defaulting Party"), it shall be considered a material breach of this Agreement.

In such an event, the Non-defaulting Party may notify the Defaulting Party in writing and request it to rectify and correct such breach of contract within _________ working day(s) from the effective date of such notice. If the Defaulting Party fails to cure the default(s) within such period of time, this agreement will be automatically terminated.

The defaulting Party shall be liable for any such breach pursuant to the applicable laws.

9. FORCE MAJEURE

Neither party shall in no event be held liable or responsible to the other party nor be deemed to have defaulted under or breached this Agreement for any delay or failure in fulfilling or performing any obligation under this agreement when such delay or failure is resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control (hereinafter, "Force Majeure causes").

The term Force Majeure shall include, without limitation, acts of God, acts of civil or military authorities, insurrections, vandalism, riots, wars, lock-outs, embargoes, acts of nature, fire, natural disasters, epidemics, work stoppages or other labor disputes, or supplier failures.

A Party claiming the benefit of this provision shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the occurrence of any such event:
(a) provide written notice to the other Party of the nature and extent of any such Force Majeure cause; and
(b) use reasonable efforts to remove any such causes and resume performance under this Agreement, as soon as reasonably practicable.

10. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

In the event a claim, dispute or controversy arises out of or in connection with this Agreement, the parties agree to attempt to resolve the claim, dispute or controversy by conducting good faith negotiations.

If the parties are unable to settle the matter between themselves within 30 days, the dispute shall thereafter be resolved by binding arbitration under the then current Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.

11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This document constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

12. SEVERABILITY

This Agreement will be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

If for any reason any term or provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement. However, the parties shall cease performing such invalid or unenforceable provisions and negotiate in good faith to replace such invalid or unenforceable provisions with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision consistent with the original intent.

13. AMENDMENTS

This Agreement may be amended or modified as needed. However, any modification, variation or amendment of this Agreement shall only be valid if made in writing form and duly signed by the parties obligated under the amendment.

14. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of _________.

15. NOTICES

Any and all notices, requests, demands or other communications to be given under this Agreement must be (i) given in writing and (ii) personally delivered or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or transmitted by electronic mail transmission to the party to whom such notice or communication is directed, to the mailing address or electronic mail address of such party as set forth in the opening paragraph of this Agreement, or to such other address or email address as any party may from time to time notify the other.

16. WAIVER

The waiver by either party of a breach, default, delay or omission of any of the provisions of this Agreement by the other party will not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or other provisions.

17. ATTORNEY'S FEES

In the event that any action is instituted to enforce or interpret the validity of this Agreement or any of its provisions, the prevailing party in such action shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other available remedies.

18. ASSIGNMENT

This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned by either party without prior written consent of the other party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

Service Provider:
_________

By: _______________________	Date: __________
_________

Service Recipient:

By: _______________________	Date: __________
_________