Catering Menus
Create specialized menus for catering orders.
Overview
Catering menus are separate from your regular menu and include:
- Per-person pricing - Price based on guest count
- Package deals - Bundled offerings
- Minimum quantities - Order minimums per item
- Lead time requirements - Advance ordering rules
- Seasonal menus - Holiday and special event menus
Creating a Catering Menu
Menu Setup
- Go to Catering > Menus
- Click Create Menu
- Enter details:
- Menu Name (e.g., "Corporate Lunch")
- Description
- Availability (dates/seasons)
- Minimum order (guests or amount)
- Save menu
Menu Categories
Organize items into categories:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Appetizers | Trays, passed apps |
| Salads | Per-person or bowl |
| Entrees | Main courses |
| Sides | Accompaniments |
| Desserts | Sweets, platters |
| Beverages | Drinks by pitcher/gallon |
Pricing Models
Per-Person Pricing
Price based on guest count:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ITEM: Grilled Chicken Lunch │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ Base price per person: $18.95 │
│ │
│ TIER PRICING │
│ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── │
│ 10-24 guests: $18.95/person │
│ 25-49 guests: $17.95/person (5% discount) │
│ 50-99 guests: $16.95/person (10% discount) │
│ 100+ guests: $15.95/person (15% discount) │
│ │
│ Includes: Grilled chicken, two sides, roll, drink │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Bulk/Tray Pricing
Price by unit (tray, pan, gallon):
| Item | Unit | Serves | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasta Tray | Full pan | 20-25 | $85.00 |
| Pasta Tray | Half pan | 10-12 | $45.00 |
| Caesar Salad | Large bowl | 15-20 | $35.00 |
| Sweet Tea | Gallon | 16 cups | $12.00 |
Package Pricing
Bundled offerings:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ EXECUTIVE LUNCH PACKAGE $24.95/person │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ Includes: │
│ • Choice of salad (Caesar or House) │
│ • Choice of entree (Chicken, Beef, or Fish) │
│ • Two sides │
│ • Dessert │
│ • Beverage │
│ • Disposable plates, utensils, napkins │
│ │
│ Minimum: 15 guests │
│ Add-ons: Premium protein +$5, Alcohol bar +$15/person │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Menu Items
Adding Catering Items
- Go to Catering > Menus > Select menu
- Click Add Item
- Configure:
- Item Name
- Description (detailed for proposals)
- Category
- Pricing model (per-person, per-unit)
- Price tiers (if volume discounts)
- Minimum quantity
- Lead time (hours/days advance notice)
- Photo (for proposals)
Item Configuration Example
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ITEM SETUP │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ Name: BBQ Pulled Pork Platter │
│ Description: Slow-smoked pulled pork with house BBQ sauce, │
│ served with slider buns and pickles │
│ Category: Entrees │
│ │
│ PRICING │
│ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── │
│ Model: [✓] Per Unit [ ] Per Person │
│ Price: $95.00 per full pan │
│ Serves: 25-30 people │
│ │
│ REQUIREMENTS │
│ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── │
│ Minimum: 1 pan │
│ Lead Time: 48 hours │
│ Available: [✓] All week [ ] Weekdays [ ] Weekends │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Seasonal & Special Menus
Creating Seasonal Menus
- Go to Catering > Menus
- Click Create Menu
- Set Availability:
- Date range (e.g., Nov 15 - Dec 31)
- Name (e.g., "Holiday Catering")
- Add seasonal items
- Publish when ready
Holiday Menu Example
| Menu | Available | Special Items |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday Catering | Nov-Dec | Turkey dinner, ham, pies |
| Game Day | Football season | Wings, sliders, dips |
| Summer BBQ | May-Sep | Grilled items, outdoor |
| Valentine's | Feb 10-14 | Romantic dinner packages |
Dietary Options
Marking Dietary Attributes
For each item, indicate:
| Attribute | Display |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian | (V) |
| Vegan | (VG) |
| Gluten-Free | (GF) |
| Dairy-Free | (DF) |
| Nut-Free | (NF) |
| Halal | (H) |
| Kosher | (K) |
Dietary Package Options
Offer dietary alternatives:
Standard Package: $22.95/person
Vegetarian Package: $22.95/person
Vegan Package: $24.95/person
Gluten-Free Package: $24.95/person
Menu Availability
Setting Availability
Control when menus are available:
| Setting | Options |
|---|---|
| Days | Specific days of week |
| Date Range | Start and end dates |
| Lead Time | Minimum advance notice |
| Blackout Dates | Dates unavailable |
| Capacity | Max events per day |
Example Configuration
Corporate Lunch Menu
├── Available: Monday - Friday
├── Lead Time: 24 hours minimum
├── Blackout: Major holidays
└── Capacity: 3 events per day max
Linking to Regular Menu
Using Regular Menu Items
Import items from your regular menu:
- Go to Catering > Menus > Add Item
- Click Import from Menu
- Select items
- Adjust pricing for catering
- Set minimums and lead times
Price Adjustments
Catering prices may differ from dine-in:
| Item | Dine-In | Catering | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Entree | $18.95 | $16.95/pp | Volume |
| Salad | $9.95 | $6.95/pp | Bulk prep |
| Dessert | $8.95 | $5.95/pp | Simplified |
Menu Publishing
Preview Before Publishing
- Click Preview Menu
- Review all items and pricing
- Check descriptions and photos
- Verify availability settings
- Click Publish
Menu Visibility
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Draft | Only visible to staff |
| Published | Available for orders |
| Archived | Hidden, kept for records |
Voice Commands
| Task | Say |
|---|---|
| View menus | "Hey Maximus, show catering menus" |
| Add item | "Hey Maximus, add item to holiday menu" |
| Check pricing | "Hey Maximus, what's the price for executive lunch for 50?" |
Best Practices
Menu Design Tips
- Clear descriptions - Detailed for customer decisions
- Good photos - Professional images for proposals
- Logical categories - Easy to navigate
- Flexible packages - Options for different budgets
- Dietary options - Accommodate restrictions
Pricing Strategy
- Volume discounts - Encourage larger orders
- Package value - Bundles more attractive
- Competitive research - Know market rates
- Margin analysis - Maintain profitability
Related Guides
- Orders & Quotes - Taking catering orders
- Menu Management - General menu setup
- Pricing - Pricing strategies