How to Write a Catering Proposal [11+ Best Examples]

In the most basic sense, a proposal is a sales pitch where you convince the client or investor to hire you for the job or invest in your business idea. The goals of any proposal are introducing yourself and the business, highlighting the products and/or services you offer, describing the potential costs, and convincing the client that you’re the perfect choice for the job. In this article, you will learn how to write the best catering proposal that will surely help you get that event or investment.

How to Write a Catering Proposal

Here is an easy guide you can follow when writing a catering proposal:

1. Cover letter

The proposal cover letter should immediately provide an overview of the event and the entire company, what you can provide, how you provide your products and/or services, etc. The name of the event, its date, time, and location should also be included. In addition, a minimum guest count guarantee should be provided to inform the client.

2. Menu and charges

The catering menu is one of the main things that the client will look for in your proposal; thus, it is important to include a menu that is especially curated for the preferences of the client. Aside from considering the food and beverage preferences in the menu, you should also take into account the budget of the client. You should state the charges of each item that you have included in the menu.

3. The venue, if applicable

If the client has not yet chosen the venue for the event, it is up to you as the caterer to provide a venue for them. This is mostly applicable to catering companies that have their own in-house venue. However, if the client has already chosen a venue, present how will you be able to provide quality service in such a location.

4. Additional charges

You should list the prices for each material or similar groups of items that will need payment from the client such as linens, centerpieces, silverware, dinnerware, serving dishes, and more. The labor costs, which is usually paid an hourly amount times the number of hours and staff members, for the delivery and performance of contractual tasks should also be included in this section of the proposal.

5. Total quote

The total quote is basically just the grand total of all the charges the client is expected to pay after or before the event. If necessary, you can also include a percentage based on the total cost or specific amount as an initial deposit to begin the necessary preparations for the event.

6. Explanation of policies

The policies in catering an event will depend on what you choose to implement, but the most common inclusions of the policies you should explain in the proposal are minimum count requirement for guests, a guarantee of services, acceptable forms and terms of payment, and other necessary terms and conditions.

Catering Proposal Templates and Examples

1. Catering Proposal Example

2. Catering Business Proposal

If you are looking for an investor to invest in your catering business, you should have a catering proposal that states all your strong qualifications such as the type of products and/or services, your methodologies, etc. that makes it clear that you’re worth investing into. And this template is prefect for that; you can easily download this to make use of its high-quality features.

3. Catering Company Proposal Letter

Want to get that highly coveted holiday event catering booking? Fret not, we’re here to help. Using this catering company proposal letter you will surely get the approval that you need through the clear layout, comprehensive format, and easy-to-edit function that you can make use of when you download this template.

4. Catering Proposal Letter

Respond to that catering need advertisement in the most direct and professional way through the use of this catering proposal letter. This letter will allow you to showcase and highlight the quality products and services you provide to your clients at a reasonable price. Download this template now and edit in Google Docs, MS Word, and Apple Pages.

5. Proposal Letter for Catering Services

Set a good first impression as you submit your catering proposal with a clear and direct proposal letter. To make things easier for you, we have here a well-written and clearly formatted proposal letter for catering services template that you can download for free. You can easily edit its contents to make sure yours are flawlessly incorporated.

6. Wedding Catering Proposal Letter

You want to make sure that you seal the deal for that upcoming wedding event? Fret not, this wedding proposal letter template will surely help you achieve that. With its clarity, coherence, and excellently written features, you are sure to get that wedding gig.

7. Catering Event Proposal Letter

With the number of competition in the market, it is necessary to step with your best foot forward. And you can totally do that with the help of this catering event proposal letter. With the help of this template, you can highlight and showcase the high-quality products and services you provide to clients.

8. Wedding Sit-Down Dinner Catering Proposal

If you want to have a clear guide that you can follow as you write your own catering proposal, this proposal example is the perfect choice. This contains all the necessary sections and contents specifically tailored for a wedding sit-down dinner catering proposal. You can download this example and use it as your reference.

9. Proposal of Catering Service

Offer your one-of-a-kind catering services to interested clients with the help of a well-made proposal. Similar to this example, you can present a comprehensive summary of the products and/or services you can provide to the client basing on their stated preferences. Should you need a guide for this, you can download this example for free.

10. Catering Concessions Proposal Form

As a company or organization looking for a catering company to cater to your event, having a fillable form that the caterers can easily fill out will make the screening process easier for you. Through the form, you have full control as to what details can only be included to make filtering, screening, and choosing an overall easy process.

11. BBQ Luncheon Catering Services Proposal

If you are interested to join the bidding for a caterer for an upcoming barbecue luncheon event, you should have a proposal that will sweep the client off their feet. Looking at this catering services proposal example, you can clearly see how the details are completely provided to help impress the clients and get that resounding approval.

12. Simple Catering Proposal

No need to complicate things especially when you want to impress your clients immediately as they see your proposal. Hence, it is important to create a simple yet comprehensive catering proposal. The proposal should immediately highlight the catering menu you have especially curated to the preferences of the client similar to this example.