CaterOps

CaterOps is catering operations software that links inquiries and proposals with client approvals, kitchen preparation, and event staffing. It is best suited to caterers who want those steps connected around the same event record. Its per-event Pro plan can fit changing booking volumes, though the capped free tier and signups coming soon limit its appeal for teams ready to move now.

Overview

CaterOps follows an event from inquiry through quoting, confirmation, and completion, then carries approved food lines into kitchen prep. That connected workflow is its clearest strength: caterers can coordinate client-facing decisions and back-of-house tasks without treating them as separate stages. The tradeoff is availability: signups are coming soon, and the iOS and Android apps are also described as coming soon.

Key features

The event pipeline offers list, board, and calendar views, giving teams different ways to track bookings as work progresses. Its BEO builder calculates food, labor, fees, taxes, gratuity, discounts, and food-and-beverage minimums as users enter them. This keeps proposal totals tied to the event, which is useful when details change; the Free plan, however, includes only basic BEOs.

Through a branded client portal, customers can review proposals, update event details and guest counts, choose menus, arrange seating within set limits, and approve and sign. Signatures capture a typed name, timestamp, and IP address. The floor-plan designer supports scaled layouts, self-seating tables, reusable templates, PNG export, and client sharing within set limits, making it a practical part of the approval flow while leaving some boundaries on client interaction.

Once a BEO is signed, its food lines seed station-based prep lists. Run-of-show schedules and staff role and time assignments extend the workflow into event execution. CaterOps also covers menu and catering order management, staff scheduling, payment processing, and event logistics, while custom integrations are reserved for Enterprise and are not named individually.

The privacy policy says business data remains customer-owned, can be exported on request, and can be deleted on request within 30 days, subject to backups and legal obligations. It says data is stored on Supabase, protected by company-level row-level security, encrypted in transit using TLS/SSL, and encrypted at rest by the cloud provider. CaterOps says every inquiry receives a response within one business day; Enterprise adds priority support.

Pricing

CaterOps uses a freemium model. Free costs nothing and allows up to five events a month with one team member, an event pipeline, basic BEOs, and a menu builder. It is a sensible way for a solo caterer to start, but the event cap and single seat make it a poor fit for a busy team or shared workflow.

Pro costs $3, paid once, billed $3/ event. It removes the event cap and adds the client portal, e-signatures, floor-plan design and sharing, automatic follow-up reminders, and unlimited team members. The per-event charge ties the bill to booking volume, though costs rise with each event and the plan’s listed term is per event rather than a monthly subscription.

Enterprise has custom pricing, with custom volume pricing, advanced analytics, priority support, and custom integrations. CaterOps also offers a 90-day trial. Teams considering the paid tiers should account for the upcoming signup availability when planning a switch.

Platforms

CaterOps targets web, Android, and iOS. The website says signups are coming soon and that the mobile apps are coming soon on the App Store and Google Play, so it is not yet a ready choice for teams that need immediate signup or mobile apps.

Who it's for

CaterOps is aimed squarely at caterers, particularly operators who need proposal pricing, client sign-off, floor plans, prep lists, and staff assignments to flow together. It is less suitable for a team that needs to onboard immediately, relies on mobile apps today, or wants to keep costs independent of event count.

Pros and cons

• Connected event-to-kitchen workflow: Signed BEO food lines seed station-based prep lists, reducing the gap between client approval and kitchen preparation.
• Client approval tools in Pro: The portal, e-signatures, seating, and floor-plan sharing bring proposal review and event details into one flow.
• Low entry price for small volumes: Pro is billed at $3 per event and includes unlimited events and team members, so caterers pay in step with bookings.
• Restrictive free tier: Five events a month and one team member limit its usefulness beyond a small solo operation.
• Adoption is not immediate: Signups and mobile apps are coming soon, which rules it out for teams that need to start using it now.
• Enterprise costs need a discussion: Custom pricing makes larger-volume budgeting less straightforward before a sales conversation.

Alternatives

Restaurant Catering Software is a useful starting point for comparing options across the category. Catertoo is worth considering for teams that want a free plan covering up to three events monthly with unlimited users and clients, proposals, e-signatures, and a menu builder. CaterTrack offers a seven-day free start with orders, bookings, menus, a customer event history, and Android and iPhone apps; choose it if those app platforms and a short no-card start matter. Smart Cater is another option with Android and web platforms and a free plan for up to five users. BEO HQ may suit teams focused on banquet documents that can begin with one BEO and one catering invoice on its free plan, with a footer credit on PDFs. Caterease is an alternative with Android, iOS, MacOS, web, and Windows support. Excellent may suit a location seeking unlimited events, leads, and proposals with every user included on its $300 a year Annual plan, billed $3,600 a year per location. Catersaga is another option for caterers to compare. ChefDesk offers another catering software option with pricing based on outlets and modules.

Verdict

CaterOps is a strong fit for caterers who want event pricing, client approval, kitchen prep, and staffing coordinated in one workflow, especially when per-event billing suits their booking volume. The free tier offers a modest starting point, but its five-event and one-person limits are narrow. Choose another tool if immediate signup or mobile apps are essential, and expect to discuss custom pricing for Enterprise.