A Catering Contract covers important terms and conditions that both parties are expected to adhere to during the agreement. LawDepot offers a convenient, step-by-step questionnaire to tailor a Catering Contract to your event or agreement. The information required for a Catering Contract is as follows:
1. Event and catering details
A Catering Contract needs to include all the important information about the event or events where the caterer will provide services, including:
- Whether services are for a single or multiple events
- The date and location of the event(s)
- The service details, such as the number of guests, menu, amount of food and beverages, and whether serving staff, dishware, flatware, and linens are included
The contract can include additional menus and guest details. It should indicate whether a client is requesting specific menu items. The contract may also specify deadlines for changing the menu and confirming the guest number.
2. Party details
The Catering Contract must outline both the caterer’s and the client’s information.
First, our template prompts you to specify whether the caterer is an individual (i.e., self-employed sole trader) or another business structure (e.g., corporation or limited liability company). Then, you must provide the caterer’s name and address.
Next, our template will ask for the client’s information. Specify whether the client is an individual or business and provide their name and address.
A Catering Contract must clearly define compensation details, including the following information:
- Whether the client will be billed by an hourly rate or a flat fee
- Whether the client will pay a deposit and the amount
- How long the client has to pay the invoice after it’s submitted
- Whether late payments will incur any interest
4. Cancellation rules
Your contract should specify whether either party can cancel it. If you decide cancellation is permitted for your contract, outline how many days each party must provide written notice.
Typically, seven days' notice is sufficient for most short-term contracts. If the contract is for multiple events and lasts more than a few months, it is better to require at least 15-30 days' notice.
5. Intellectual property and confidentiality terms
Menus and receipts can be classified as intellectual property. A Catering Contract should outline whether the client or the caterer owns any intellectual property created under the agreement.
The contract should also specify whether the parties have a duty towards each other not to reveal any confidential information.