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Catering contract template

Catering contract: A catering contract covers food and drink service for an event: menu, guest numbers, staffing, price per head, dietary needs and cancellation.

Last reviewed 6 November 2026 · 6 clauses · General guidance, not legal advice

Upload yours for a review and e-signature, or save it as a team template.

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When to use a catering contract

  • Corporate events and conferences
  • Weddings and private functions
  • Recurring office catering

Catering contract template: clause-by-clause outline

Sample starting wording for each clause. Replace the text in [brackets] with your details.

  1. Event and menu

    The Caterer will provide [menu] for [number] guests at [venue] on [date].

  2. Final numbers

    The Client will confirm final guest numbers [7] days before the event. The Client pays for the confirmed number.

  3. Price

    The price is [amount] per head plus [service charge and taxes].

  4. Dietary and allergens

    The Caterer will provide allergen information and meet listed dietary requirements.

  5. Food safety

    The Caterer holds the required food hygiene registration and insurance.

  6. Cancellation

    Cancellation within [14] days of the event incurs [50]% of the estimated total.

What to check before you sign

  • When are final numbers locked?
  • Is allergen information guaranteed?
  • Are staff, equipment hire and clean-up included?

How to send a catering contract for e-signature

  1. Draft or upload it. Use the outline above with your own wording, upload an existing document, or save it as your organisation’s template.
  2. Check it against your playbook. Points outside your positions are flagged, and approval rules route it to Legal when needed.
  3. Send it by email. Signers get a plain-language review and a secure link, sign on any device in the order you set, and can suggest changes as tracked changes.
  4. Keep the signed PDF. Everyone receives it with a certificate of completion, and key dates go to Upcoming with reminders.

Catering contract template: frequently asked questions

How far in advance should final numbers be confirmed?

Typically 5 to 10 days before the event, to allow ordering and staffing.

Who is responsible for allergens?

The caterer should provide allergen information; the client should pass on guests’ requirements in writing.

Is an electronically signed catering contract legally binding?

In most countries, yes. E-signatures are recognised for commercial contracts under laws such as the ESIGN Act (US), eIDAS (EU), the Electronic Communications Act (UK) and the Information Technology Act (India). econtracts.ai adds a certificate of completion with each signer’s identity check and a fingerprint of the signed content.

Can I get a catering contract I received reviewed?

Yes. Upload it to econtracts.ai and you get a plain-language review: key dates, money and points to check, each quoting the clause it comes from.

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This outline is a starting point for discussion, not legal advice, and it is not a complete contract. Laws differ by country and sector; have a qualified lawyer review contracts that matter.