How much deposit should a catering business require?

Choose a deposit structure that reserves the date, protects purchasing, and stays clear for customers.

What the deposit must accomplish

A deposit should show that the customer is committed and protect the business from costs incurred before the event. The right amount depends on lead time, order size, special purchases, staffing, and how easily the date can be resold.

Common approaches

Many teams use either a percentage of the approved total or a fixed reservation amount. Larger and more customized events generally justify a larger initial payment. Small pickup orders may be simplest to collect in full.

Connect deposits to deadlines

State when the deposit is due, when the final balance is due, and what happens if either deadline is missed. Tie the final guest count and major change deadline to the payment schedule so expectations stay aligned.

Make the policy visible

Include the deposit, cancellation, refund, and rescheduling terms on the quote before approval. The customer should see the amount and conditions before paying—not discover them afterward.