Policy and Operational Notice for Catering Clients

What a good one includes

• A brief, transparent explanation of the reason behind the policy or price update, such as rising supply costs or kitchen capacity limits.
• A firm, prominent date when the changes take effect to give ongoing clients reasonable notice.
• A clear breakdown of the old policy versus the new policy so clients immediately understand what is changing.
• Explicit terms clarifying whether currently booked events or signed contracts are grandfathered under the old rates.
• Clear instructions on how clients should acknowledge the change or whom to contact if they have questions about an upcoming event.
• A dedicated section detailing any new timelines for deposit forfeitures or guest count finalizations.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Apologizing excessively for price increases or policy updates, which can make your business decisions look weak or negotiable to clients.
• Failing to state exactly when the new policy begins, leading to disputes over active inquiries or pending quotes.
• Hiding rate changes or stricter cancellation policies in a wall of text rather than highlighting them clearly.
• Sending the notice to clients before thoroughly training your kitchen and waitstaff on how to enforce and explain the new rules.

Frequently asked questions