Free catering contract template
This catering contract template builds a catering agreement as you type: the event, guest count, menu and service, when the final guest count is due, the price per added guest, the service charge, deposit and balance, plus allergy, food safety and venue terms. It explains that a service charge isn't a tip. Download the PDF, get the Word version by email, or send it for e-signature.
This is a general template, not legal advice. It may not fit your situation or your state's laws. Have a licensed attorney review it before you use it. EnFlow is not a law firm and is not responsible for how this template is used.
What this catering contract covers
- The event
- Menu and service
- Guest count
- Fee and payment
- Allergies and food safety
- The venue
- Cancellation and changes
- Independent contractor
- Limit of liability
- Events outside our control
- General terms
Questions
When is the final guest count due for catering?
The final guest count is usually due 7 to 14 days before the event so the caterer can order food and schedule staff. In this catering contract template the client pays for the final count or the number served, whichever is higher, and added guests are charged per person.
Is a catering service charge the same as a tip?
A catering service charge is not the same as a tip. It's a fee the caterer keeps to cover service costs, and this template says so plainly, with any gratuity left to the client. Rules on service charges and tax vary by state.
What should a catering agreement include?
A catering agreement should include the event date, venue and service times, guest count and final count deadline, menu and service style, the price, service charge, tax, deposit and balance, allergy and food safety terms, what the venue provides, and cancellation.
Can my client e-sign the catering contract?
Yes, your client can e-sign the catering contract. Sign up free to send it for e-signature: your client signs online, and you can collect a deposit in the same step. The free plan includes 5 estimates, invoices and contracts a month.