How much should you charge for catering?

Figuring out how much to charge for a catering service is all about calculating cost of food and other expenses. Once the expenses are calculated, the prices are marked up to achieve a reasonable profit.

In general, catering fees vary depending on factors such as location and operational costs. Successful catering businesses look at their total cost expenditures when deciding what to charge. Food is multiplied at three to five times its value. Other business components can be marked up as well. Caterers can make more profit when adding fees for labor, administration and venue. Caterers may also be able to negotiate attractive discounts from food suppliers.