Catering Cost Calculator
Help your catering business convert more leads with an interactive quote calculator. This template lets event planners configure guest count, service style (buffet, plated, stations), beverages, and additional services to see instant estimates. Pricing adjusts for event type, day of week, and dietary requirements. Perfect for caterers, event companies, and venue coordinators. Capture event details and contact info from planners ready to book.
Try the Calculator
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export function cateringCostCalculator(form: FormTs) {
const mealStyles: Record<string, number> = {
'boxed': 15,
'buffet': 35,
'family': 40,
'plated': 55,
'stations': 65,
'premium': 85
};
form.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('header', {
computedValue: () => 'Catering Quote Calculator',
customStyles: { 'font-size': '1.5rem', 'font-weight': '600', 'color': '#1e293b' }
});
});
form.addSpacer({ height: 20 });
// Event Details Section
const eventSection = form.addSubform('eventDetails', { title: '📅 Event Details' });
eventSection.addRow(row => {
row.addInteger('guestCount', {
label: 'Number of Guests',
min: 10,
max: 1000,
defaultValue: 50,
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('eventType', {
label: 'Event Type',
options: [
{ id: 'corporate', name: 'Corporate Event' },
{ id: 'wedding', name: 'Wedding Reception' },
{ id: 'social', name: 'Social Gathering' },
{ id: 'holiday', name: 'Holiday Party' },
{ id: 'fundraiser', name: 'Fundraiser/Gala' },
{ id: 'birthday', name: 'Birthday/Anniversary' }
],
defaultValue: 'corporate',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
});
eventSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('mealTime', {
label: 'Meal Time',
options: [
{ id: 'breakfast', name: 'Breakfast (-20%)' },
{ id: 'brunch', name: 'Brunch' },
{ id: 'lunch', name: 'Lunch (-10%)' },
{ id: 'dinner', name: 'Dinner' },
{ id: 'reception', name: 'Reception/Appetizers Only (-30%)' }
],
defaultValue: 'dinner',
isRequired: true
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('serviceDay', {
label: 'Day of Event',
options: [
{ id: 'weekday', name: 'Weekday' },
{ id: 'friday', name: 'Friday (+10%)' },
{ id: 'saturday', name: 'Saturday (+15%)' },
{ id: 'sunday', name: 'Sunday (+10%)' },
{ id: 'holiday', name: 'Holiday (+25%)' }
],
defaultValue: 'saturday'
}, '1fr');
});
// Menu Selection Section
const menuSection = form.addSubform('menuSelection', { title: '🍽️ Menu & Service Style' });
menuSection.addRow(row => {
row.addRadioButton('mealStyle', {
label: 'Service Style',
options: [
{ id: 'boxed', name: 'Boxed Meals ($15/person) - Individual packaged meals' },
{ id: 'buffet', name: 'Buffet ($35/person) - Self-service stations' },
{ id: 'family', name: 'Family Style ($40/person) - Shared platters at tables' },
{ id: 'plated', name: 'Plated ($55/person) - Individual courses served' },
{ id: 'stations', name: 'Action Stations ($65/person) - Chef-attended stations' },
{ id: 'premium', name: 'Premium Plated ($85/person) - Multi-course fine dining' }
],
defaultValue: 'buffet',
orientation: 'vertical',
isRequired: true
});
});
menuSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('cuisineStyle', {
label: 'Cuisine Style',
options: [
{ id: 'american', name: 'American Classic' },
{ id: 'italian', name: 'Italian' },
{ id: 'mexican', name: 'Mexican/Southwest' },
{ id: 'asian', name: 'Asian Fusion' },
{ id: 'mediterranean', name: 'Mediterranean' },
{ id: 'bbq', name: 'BBQ' },
{ id: 'mixed', name: 'Mixed/Custom Menu' }
],
defaultValue: 'american'
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('dietaryNeeds', {
label: 'Special Dietary Needs',
options: [
{ id: 'none', name: 'Standard Menu' },
{ id: 'some', name: 'Some Dietary Options (+5%)' },
{ id: 'extensive', name: 'Extensive Options (+10%)' },
{ id: 'custom', name: 'Fully Custom Menu (+15%)' }
],
defaultValue: 'none'
}, '1fr');
});
// Beverages Section
const beverageSection = form.addSubform('beverages', { title: '🥂 Beverages' });
beverageSection.addRow(row => {
row.addDropdown('nonAlcoholic', {
label: 'Non-Alcoholic',
options: [
{ id: 'none', name: 'None' },
{ id: 'basic', name: 'Basic (Water, Soda) - $3/person' },
{ id: 'standard', name: 'Standard (+ Coffee, Tea) - $5/person' },
{ id: 'premium', name: 'Premium (+ Juices, Specialty) - $10/person' }
],
defaultValue: 'standard'
}, '1fr');
row.addDropdown('alcohol', {
label: 'Alcoholic Beverages',
options: [
{ id: 'none', name: 'None' },
{ id: 'beer-wine', name: 'Beer & Wine - $15/person' },
{ id: 'limited', name: 'Limited Bar - $25/person' },
{ id: 'full', name: 'Full Open Bar - $40/person' },
{ id: 'premium', name: 'Premium Open Bar - $60/person' }
],
defaultValue: 'none'
}, '1fr');
});
// Add-ons Section
const addonsSection = form.addSubform('addons', { title: '✨ Additional Services' });
addonsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('appetizers', {
label: 'Passed Appetizers (+$8/person)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('dessert', {
label: 'Dessert Station (+$10/person)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
addonsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('lateNight', {
label: 'Late Night Snacks (+$8/person)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('cake', {
label: 'Custom Cake/Dessert (+$5/person)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
addonsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('servers', {
label: 'Wait Staff (+$150/server)',
defaultValue: true
}, '1fr');
row.addCheckbox('bartender', {
label: 'Bartender (+$200/bartender)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
});
addonsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addInteger('serverCount', {
label: 'Number of Servers',
min: 1,
max: 20,
defaultValue: 2,
isVisible: () => addonsSection.checkbox('servers')?.value() === true
}, '1fr');
row.addInteger('bartenderCount', {
label: 'Number of Bartenders',
min: 1,
max: 5,
defaultValue: 1,
isVisible: () => addonsSection.checkbox('bartender')?.value() === true
}, '1fr');
});
addonsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addCheckbox('rentals', {
label: 'Equipment Rentals (Tables, Linens, etc.)',
defaultValue: false
}, '1fr');
row.addDecimal('rentalBudget', {
label: 'Rental Budget ($)',
min: 0,
max: 10000,
defaultValue: 500,
decimalPlaces: 0,
isVisible: () => addonsSection.checkbox('rentals')?.value() === true
}, '1fr');
});
form.addSpacer({ height: 20, showLine: true, lineStyle: 'dashed' });
// Results Section
const resultsSection = form.addSubform('results', { title: '💰 Quote Summary', isCollapsible: false });
const getMealTimeMultiplier = () => {
const mealTime = eventSection.dropdown('mealTime')?.value() || 'dinner';
const multipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'breakfast': 0.8,
'brunch': 1.0,
'lunch': 0.9,
'dinner': 1.0,
'reception': 0.7
};
return multipliers[mealTime] || 1;
};
const getDayMultiplier = () => {
const day = eventSection.dropdown('serviceDay')?.value() || 'saturday';
const multipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'weekday': 1.0,
'friday': 1.1,
'saturday': 1.15,
'sunday': 1.1,
'holiday': 1.25
};
return multipliers[day] || 1;
};
const getDietaryMultiplier = () => {
const dietary = menuSection.dropdown('dietaryNeeds')?.value() || 'none';
const multipliers: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 1.0,
'some': 1.05,
'extensive': 1.1,
'custom': 1.15
};
return multipliers[dietary] || 1;
};
resultsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('foodCost', {
label: 'Food Cost',
computedValue: () => {
const guests = eventSection.integer('guestCount')?.value() || 50;
const style = menuSection.radioButton('mealStyle')?.value() || 'buffet';
const baseRate = mealStyles[style] || 35;
let cost = guests * baseRate * getMealTimeMultiplier() * getDietaryMultiplier();
if (addonsSection.checkbox('appetizers')?.value()) cost += guests * 8;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('dessert')?.value()) cost += guests * 10;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('lateNight')?.value()) cost += guests * 8;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('cake')?.value()) cost += guests * 5;
return Math.round(cost);
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
row.addPriceDisplay('beverageCost', {
label: 'Beverage Cost',
computedValue: () => {
const guests = eventSection.integer('guestCount')?.value() || 50;
const nonAlcPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'basic': 3, 'standard': 5, 'premium': 10
};
const alcPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'beer-wine': 15, 'limited': 25, 'full': 40, 'premium': 60
};
const nonAlc = beverageSection.dropdown('nonAlcoholic')?.value() || 'standard';
const alc = beverageSection.dropdown('alcohol')?.value() || 'none';
return Math.round(guests * ((nonAlcPrices[nonAlc] || 0) + (alcPrices[alc] || 0)));
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
});
resultsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('staffCost', {
label: 'Staff & Service',
computedValue: () => {
let total = 0;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('servers')?.value()) {
total += (addonsSection.integer('serverCount')?.value() || 2) * 150;
}
if (addonsSection.checkbox('bartender')?.value()) {
total += (addonsSection.integer('bartenderCount')?.value() || 1) * 200;
}
return total;
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
row.addPriceDisplay('rentalCost', {
label: 'Rentals',
computedValue: () => {
if (addonsSection.checkbox('rentals')?.value()) {
return addonsSection.decimal('rentalBudget')?.value() || 500;
}
return 0;
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
});
resultsSection.addSpacer({ showLine: true, lineStyle: 'solid', lineColor: '#e2e8f0' });
resultsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('subtotal', {
label: 'Subtotal',
computedValue: () => {
const guests = eventSection.integer('guestCount')?.value() || 50;
const style = menuSection.radioButton('mealStyle')?.value() || 'buffet';
const baseRate = mealStyles[style] || 35;
let food = guests * baseRate * getMealTimeMultiplier() * getDietaryMultiplier();
if (addonsSection.checkbox('appetizers')?.value()) food += guests * 8;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('dessert')?.value()) food += guests * 10;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('lateNight')?.value()) food += guests * 8;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('cake')?.value()) food += guests * 5;
const nonAlcPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'basic': 3, 'standard': 5, 'premium': 10
};
const alcPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'beer-wine': 15, 'limited': 25, 'full': 40, 'premium': 60
};
const nonAlc = beverageSection.dropdown('nonAlcoholic')?.value() || 'standard';
const alc = beverageSection.dropdown('alcohol')?.value() || 'none';
const beverages = guests * ((nonAlcPrices[nonAlc] || 0) + (alcPrices[alc] || 0));
let staff = 0;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('servers')?.value()) {
staff += (addonsSection.integer('serverCount')?.value() || 2) * 150;
}
if (addonsSection.checkbox('bartender')?.value()) {
staff += (addonsSection.integer('bartenderCount')?.value() || 1) * 200;
}
let rentals = 0;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('rentals')?.value()) {
rentals = addonsSection.decimal('rentalBudget')?.value() || 500;
}
return Math.round(food + beverages + staff + rentals);
},
variant: 'default'
}, '1fr');
row.addPriceDisplay('dayAdjustment', {
label: 'Day-of-Week Adjustment',
computedValue: () => {
const guests = eventSection.integer('guestCount')?.value() || 50;
const style = menuSection.radioButton('mealStyle')?.value() || 'buffet';
const baseRate = mealStyles[style] || 35;
const food = guests * baseRate * getMealTimeMultiplier() * getDietaryMultiplier();
const dayMult = getDayMultiplier();
return Math.round(food * (dayMult - 1));
},
variant: 'default',
prefix: '+'
}, '1fr');
});
resultsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('totalPrice', {
label: 'Total Estimate',
computedValue: () => {
const guests = eventSection.integer('guestCount')?.value() || 50;
const style = menuSection.radioButton('mealStyle')?.value() || 'buffet';
const baseRate = mealStyles[style] || 35;
let food = guests * baseRate * getMealTimeMultiplier() * getDietaryMultiplier() * getDayMultiplier();
if (addonsSection.checkbox('appetizers')?.value()) food += guests * 8;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('dessert')?.value()) food += guests * 10;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('lateNight')?.value()) food += guests * 8;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('cake')?.value()) food += guests * 5;
const nonAlcPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'basic': 3, 'standard': 5, 'premium': 10
};
const alcPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'beer-wine': 15, 'limited': 25, 'full': 40, 'premium': 60
};
const nonAlc = beverageSection.dropdown('nonAlcoholic')?.value() || 'standard';
const alc = beverageSection.dropdown('alcohol')?.value() || 'none';
const beverages = guests * ((nonAlcPrices[nonAlc] || 0) + (alcPrices[alc] || 0));
let staff = 0;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('servers')?.value()) {
staff += (addonsSection.integer('serverCount')?.value() || 2) * 150;
}
if (addonsSection.checkbox('bartender')?.value()) {
staff += (addonsSection.integer('bartenderCount')?.value() || 1) * 200;
}
let rentals = 0;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('rentals')?.value()) {
rentals = addonsSection.decimal('rentalBudget')?.value() || 500;
}
return Math.round(food + beverages + staff + rentals);
},
variant: 'large'
});
});
resultsSection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('perPerson', {
label: 'Per Person Cost',
computedValue: () => {
const guests = eventSection.integer('guestCount')?.value() || 50;
const total = resultsSection.priceDisplay('totalPrice')?.value() || 0;
return Math.round(total / guests);
},
variant: 'default'
});
});
const finalSection = form.addSubform('final', {
title: '🧾 Summary',
isCollapsible: false,
sticky: 'bottom'
});
finalSection.addRow(row => {
row.addPriceDisplay('totalPrice', {
label: 'Total Estimate',
computedValue: () => {
const guests = eventSection.integer('guestCount')?.value() || 50;
const style = menuSection.radioButton('mealStyle')?.value() || 'buffet';
const baseRate = mealStyles[style] || 35;
let food = guests * baseRate * getMealTimeMultiplier() * getDietaryMultiplier() * getDayMultiplier();
if (addonsSection.checkbox('appetizers')?.value()) food += guests * 8;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('dessert')?.value()) food += guests * 10;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('lateNight')?.value()) food += guests * 8;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('cake')?.value()) food += guests * 5;
const nonAlcPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'basic': 3, 'standard': 5, 'premium': 10
};
const alcPrices: Record<string, number> = {
'none': 0, 'beer-wine': 15, 'limited': 25, 'full': 40, 'premium': 60
};
const nonAlc = beverageSection.dropdown('nonAlcoholic')?.value() || 'standard';
const alc = beverageSection.dropdown('alcohol')?.value() || 'none';
const beverages = guests * ((nonAlcPrices[nonAlc] || 0) + (alcPrices[alc] || 0));
let staff = 0;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('servers')?.value()) {
staff += (addonsSection.integer('serverCount')?.value() || 2) * 150;
}
if (addonsSection.checkbox('bartender')?.value()) {
staff += (addonsSection.integer('bartenderCount')?.value() || 1) * 200;
}
let rentals = 0;
if (addonsSection.checkbox('rentals')?.value()) {
rentals = addonsSection.decimal('rentalBudget')?.value() || 500;
}
return Math.round(food + beverages + staff + rentals);
},
variant: 'large'
});
});
finalSection.addRow(row => {
row.addTextPanel('disclaimer', {
computedValue: () => 'Final pricing based on menu and venue details.',
customStyles: { 'font-size': '0.85rem', 'color': '#94a3b8', 'font-style': 'italic' }
});
});
form.configureSubmitButton({
label: 'Request Custom Proposal'
});
}
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I customize the menu options?
Yes. Replace the generic cuisine styles with your specific menu packages. You can create named packages with detailed descriptions and fixed pricing.
How do I handle minimum guest counts?
Add minimum guest requirements or minimum charges for small events. You can also set different pricing tiers based on guest count ranges.
Can I show sample menus alongside the calculator?
Yes. Add text panels with menu highlights or link to your full menu. Many caterers embed the calculator alongside menu PDFs or galleries.
How do I handle venue kitchen fees?
Add a venue type option that includes kitchen rental or equipment fees. This is common for off-premise catering where you bring everything.
Can I capture detailed event requirements?
The submit button can collect event date, venue, dietary restrictions, and special requests. You receive everything needed to prepare a custom proposal.