Catering Invoice Template

Create a catering invoice online and download it as a PDF — start from pre-filled caterers line items, edit them, add optional sales tax and get an instant total. Free, no signup.

Optional · stays on your device
Add sales tax Applies one rate to the subtotal — leave off if it doesn’t apply
From — your business
Bill to — client
Details
Line items
Description Qty Rate Amount
Notes & terms
Preview

Invoicing for caterers

Catering invoices are usually per-head plus service, staffing and rentals. The generator is pre-filled with a per-person menu line, staff and rentals — adjust the headcount and add lines for bar, cake or extras.

A catering invoice should reference the event (date, venue, guest count), break out the per-person menu from staffing, rentals, delivery and gratuity, and apply sales tax where food service is taxable. Note the deposit and final-count deadline.

Take a deposit to book the date and bill the balance once the final guest count is locked — put both on the invoice and state the count deadline so last-minute changes don’t eat your margin.

Invoice templates by industry

Pre-filled invoice templates for other lines of work:

Frequently asked questions

How do I invoice for catering?

Reference the event and guest count, then list the per-person menu (headcount × price), staffing, rentals and delivery as separate lines, and apply sales tax if food service is taxable in your state. The generator pre-fills these lines — edit them, note the deposit, and download a PDF.

Is catering taxable?

Prepared food and catering service are taxable in many states, sometimes including the service charge — but rules and rates vary. Turn the sales-tax toggle on with your combined rate where it applies, and check your state’s treatment of catering and gratuity to be sure.

What is the difference between an invoice, an estimate and a receipt?

They are three stages of one transaction. An estimate (or quote) shows an expected price before the work and is sent to win or confirm the job. An invoice requests payment after the work is done and shows the amount due. A receipt confirms that a payment was made and is given afterward as proof. A purchase order is a fourth document: the buyer issues it to formally request goods at an agreed price. Ziffaro has a free generator for each, so you can use the right document at each step.

Can I add a late fee or require a deposit on my invoice?

Yes. State both clearly in the invoice notes or terms before the work starts, not after. For larger jobs, billing a 30 to 50 percent deposit up front protects your cash flow. A late fee, often around 1 to 1.5 percent per month where your state allows it, gives clients a clear reason to pay on time; write the policy on the invoice so it is not a surprise. Late-fee limits vary by state, so confirm what is permitted where you operate.

Do I need to keep copies of the invoices I send?

Yes. The IRS expects self-employed people and small businesses to keep records that support the income and deductions on their tax return, and invoices are the main record of money you earned. Save a PDF of every invoice for your own files. If a business client pays you $600 or more in a year you may also receive a Form 1099-NEC, and your invoices are what you reconcile it against. This is general information, not tax advice — check with a CPA for your situation.

Can I create a recurring or proforma invoice with this tool?

This generator makes a single PDF invoice at a time, which covers most one-off and occasional billing. You can reuse it as a template for a recurring client by saving your business details (they are stored locally) and changing the line items each time, or use it to produce a proforma invoice by labeling it as preliminary in the notes. If you bill on a fixed schedule and want automatic recurring invoices, reminders and online card payments, dedicated invoicing software is the better fit.

How do I make an invoice?

Fill in your business details, your client’s details, an invoice number and date, then add a line item for each product or service with a quantity and rate. The amounts and total update as you type. Turn on sales tax if you collect it, add any notes, then click Download PDF. The whole thing takes a couple of minutes and needs no signup.

What should an invoice include?

A complete invoice has your business name and contact info, your client’s name and address, a unique invoice number, the invoice date and due date, an itemized list of what you’re billing with quantities and rates, the subtotal, any sales tax, the total due, and how to pay you. This generator includes fields for all of these, so nothing important gets left off.

How do I send an invoice to a client?

Download the invoice as a PDF here, then email it to your client as an attachment with a short note and the amount and due date in the subject line. A PDF is the standard format because it looks the same on every device and can’t be edited by accident. Keep a copy for your own records.

Do I need to charge sales tax on an invoice?

It depends on what you sell and where. Many services aren’t taxable, while physical goods usually are, and rates vary by state and even city. Leave the sales-tax toggle off if you don’t collect it; turn it on and enter your rate if you do. When you’re unsure whether a sale is taxable, check your state’s rules or ask a CPA.

Is this invoice generator free?

Yes — it’s completely free with no account, no watermark and no limit on how many invoices you create. Everything runs in your browser, so your client and pricing details never leave your device, and your own business info is saved locally so you don’t retype it next time.

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