The Ultimate Catering Software FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

Explore 60+ answers to common questions about catering management—and see how a purpose-built platform helps teams move faster, stay aligned, and present professionally.

General Questions

What is catering software?

Catering software centralizes proposals, events, menus, logistics, and payments in one platform so teams can respond faster and operate with fewer errors.

How does catering software work?

It stores all event data in one place, automates quoting and approvals, connects to recipes for accurate prep, and keeps operations and sales aligned.

Who should use catering software?

Full-service caterers, venue catering teams, private chefs, and hospitality operations that manage multi-step, custom events benefit most.

What are the benefits vs. manual processes?

Less re-entry, fewer mistakes, faster proposals, cleaner handoffs, and better client experience—all of which improve close rates and margins.

Is catering software suitable for small and large teams?

Yes. The same tools that help large teams scale help smaller teams look polished and save time.

What types of operations use this software?

Wedding and social caterers, corporate and venue-based caterers, off-premise and on-site teams, and hybrid operations with rentals.

Is it different from restaurant POS?

Restaurant POS focuses on in-venue transactions. Catering software manages the full lifecycle of custom, event-driven work.

Is it cloud-based?

Yes, modern platforms are browser-based so teams can log in from anywhere.

Key Features & Functionality

What features should I look for?

Proposal creation, contracts and payments, recipe-linked pricing, kitchen and packing lists, timeline and logistics tools, reporting, and integrations.

Can it handle menu planning and customization?

Yes—build menus tied to real recipes, adjust quantities, manage seasonal pricing, and customize for each client.

How does it automate event management and booking?

Automations can update statuses, send reminders, and keep proposals and timelines in sync as a deal progresses.

Does it support online approvals and payments?

Yes—clients can review, approve, sign, and pay in one link.

Does it integrate with accounting and payments?

Yes—integrations commonly include QuickBooks for accounting and Stripe for secure payments.

Does it integrate with marketing or CRM?

While there is currently no native integration with other CRM systems like HubSpot, Curate’s platform goes beyond invoice and order management, offering a streamlined customer management solution on the backend.

How does it help manage deliveries or pickups?

Orders can be flagged for pickup, delivery, or on-site service; packing lists and timing are generated accordingly.

Can it create proposals, quotes, and invoices?

Yes—quote in minutes from templates, convert to contract, then invoice with consistent data.

Does it include production and packing lists?

Yes—accepted proposals generate kitchen prep, production, and packing lists tied to recipes and rentals.

Can it manage rentals with food items in one order?

Yes—food, beverage, rentals, and staffing can live in the same order so ops sees the whole picture.

Productivity & Operations

How does it improve order accuracy?

By linking proposals to recipes and logistics, the same data flows through to prep—reducing re-entry mistakes.

What about staff scheduling?

Curate offers a native Staffing add-on for streamlined staff management and an integration with Nowsta for more complex managemetn of roles, shifts, and event coverage.

Can it track inventory or link to inventory tools?

Yes—inventory platforms like Galley connect to recipes and purchasing for better planning.

Will it help reduce waste and control costs?

Recipe-based quantities and prep lists improve ordering accuracy and reduce over-production.

How does reporting work?

Dashboards and exportable reports track sales, event volume, payment status, and operational throughput.

Does it support multi-location operations?

Yes—branch visibility and consolidated reporting support growth across regions.

Does it support timelines and logistics?

Yes—timelines, contacts, locations, and service windows are kept alongside each order.

Can I duplicate past events quickly?

Yes—reuse past structures, pricing, and items to respond faster to repeat clients.

Customer Experience

Can customers review and approve online?

Yes—clients can approve, sign, and pay from any device.

How does it improve client communication?

All updates live in one place so sales, ops, and the client stay aligned.

Can it handle dietary preferences and allergens?

Yes—menus can carry dietary flags and notes that flow into prep.

Is reordering past events easier?

Yes—duplicate, update quantities or pricing, and send in minutes.

Does it help speed up responses to leads?

Templates, automation, and pricing logic let teams respond in minutes instead of days.

Does it support branded proposals?

Yes—logo, covers, photos, and styled sections help you present professionally.

Can clients pay deposits and milestones?

Yes—split deposits, milestones, and final balances with reminders.

Technical & Pricing

Do I need to install anything?

No—log in from a browser; nothing to install.

How much does catering software cost?

Pricing depends on team size, features, and support level. Schedule a demo to get a tailored quote and plan recommendation.

Is there a free trial?

While a public free trial is not currently offered, we do have a trial Launch Plan that will give you to full platform experience. Schedule a demo to see if this could be a good fit for you.

Is data secure?

Connections are encrypted and permissions restrict access to sensitive client and financial data.

Is it mobile-friendly?

Yes—since it’s browser-based, it works on laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

How long does onboarding take?

Most teams are live in days to a few weeks depending on complexity and data migration.

Can you migrate my clients, menus, and events?

Yes—onboarding support helps import core data so you can start quickly.

Does it work with QuickBooks?

Yes—QuickBooks integration syncs invoices and payments to reduce double entry.

Selection & Comparison

What are the best catering software platforms?

Choose a platform designed for custom catering, not just online ordering; look for proposal-to-kitchen connectivity and reliable integrations.

How do I choose the right platform?

Match your event complexity to a system that mirrors it. If you manage custom menus, rentals, and timelines, pick a platform built for that depth.

What questions should I ask vendors?

Ask about proposal speed, approvals, accounting integrations, recipe linkage, mobile access, and support SLAs. Always request a live demo.

Should I pick all-in-one or mix-and-match tools?

All-in-one reduces tech bloat and duplication. Mixing tools can work but needs more maintenance and increases error risk.

Will it scale with my business?

Yes—multi-location visibility, templates, automation, and reporting support brand growth.

How does this differ from e-commerce catering ordering?

E-commerce ordering suits menu-only, transactional catering. Custom catering platforms handle multi-line events, rentals, staffing, and timelines.

Can it replace spreadsheets entirely?

Yes—centralizing data eliminates version conflicts and manual re-entry.

How do I evaluate ROI?

Track time saved on proposals, faster close rates, fewer mistakes, and improved cash collection.

Support & Implementation

What support and training are available?

Onboarding calls, documentation, training videos, and live support help teams adopt the platform with confidence.

What if I need help during a live event?

Cloud access means orders and documents are available anywhere; and access to the AI help chat is available 24/7.

Are updates included?

Yes—improvements and new capabilities are shipped regularly at no extra charge.

Do you offer best-practice guidance?

Yes—teams receive guidance on proposal templates, menu structuring, and workflow design.

How do I get my team to adopt it quickly?

Roll out in phases—start with proposals, then ops. Use templates and short, role-based training.

Specialized Use Cases

Can it manage recurring corporate catering?

Yes—duplicate recurring orders, rotate menus, and manage standing clients efficiently.

Does it support multi-day events and weddings?

Yes—organize service windows, logistics, and production across multiple days under one event.

How are last-minute changes handled?

Changes update across proposals, prep, and packing so teams don’t miss updates.

Can I manage rentals and staffing in the same order?

Yes—food, rentals, and staffing details live side-by-side so nothing is overlooked.

Does it help with seasonal packages?

Yes—build seasonal templates for holidays or corporate programs and customize per client.

See how Curate can help your business

Give your team proposal speed, operational clarity, and a client experience that wins bigger events.