Catering Software: Streamline Orders, Events & Inventory

Managing a catering business involves juggling multiple events, orders, staff schedules, and inventory — all while ensuring every client has a seamless experience. Without the right tools, it’s easy for deliveries to get delayed, ingredients to run out, or staff to be overbooked. Catering software simplifies these challenges by helping teams plan events, track orders, manage staff shifts, and monitor inventory — all in one place. Solutions like Shifts by Everhour can also help streamline staff scheduling, making it easier to keep events running smoothly. With the right catering scheduling software, catering businesses can save time, reduce errors, and provide a better experience for both clients and team members.

⚠️ Why Catering Management Can Be Challenging

Running a catering business is more than just cooking — it’s coordinating people, orders, and resources efficiently. Even small mistakes can disrupt events and affect client satisfaction.

Common challenges

• 📅 Managing multiple events – Handling several bookings at the same time can be overwhelming without proper organization.
• 👥 Staff scheduling and availability – Keeping track of who’s working, shifts, and last-minute changes is tricky.
• 🥘 Inventory and ingredient tracking – Ensuring you have the right ingredients in the right quantities for each event can be complicated.
• 🚚 Coordinating deliveries and setups – Timing deliveries, equipment, and staff for each event is a delicate balance.
• 📢 Clear communication – Staying aligned between kitchen, front-of-house, delivery teams, and clients is essential.

Software like Shifts by Everhour can help address many of these challenges by streamlining staff schedules, tracking assignments, and improving coordination across events.

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🛠 Key Features to Look For In Catering Software

Choosing the right catering software can make a huge difference in efficiency and accuracy. Here are the key features to look for:

• 📅 Event and order management – Schedule and track multiple events and orders in one centralized platform.
• 🥘 Menu planning and inventory tracking – Keep your ingredients organized and ensure you have the right quantities for every event.

• 👥 Staff scheduling and shift management – Assign shifts, track availability, and handle last-minute changes easily.
• 📊 Reporting and analytics – Measure performance, track sales, and identify areas to improve efficiency.
• 📱 Mobile access – Allow team members to view schedules, tasks, and updates on the go.

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💡 Top Catering Software Tools

Tool	Short description	Key features	Pricing
Shifts by Everhour	A staffing-focused tool that helps catering teams manage schedules and shifts.	Shift scheduling, attendance tracking, labor analytics	Free plan + paid tiers
Caterease	Classic catering software for event planning, quotes, and guest management.	Event planning, client proposals, guest tracking, reporting	Custom / license-based
CaterZen	Cloud-based platform built specifically for caterers: sales, production, CRM.	Proposal builder, BEO management, kitchen production reports, CRM	From ~$179/month
Curate	Modern CRM and event management system tailored to catering businesses.	Lead tracking, proposal generation, event workflows, client communication	Custom pricing
Planning Pod	All-in-one event planning and catering logistics tool.	Guest & event management, task scheduling, payments, venue coordination	Custom / tiered pricing
FoodNotify	Cloud-based gastronomy/catering system focused on recipes, inventory, and orders.	Recipe & menu management, stock control, supplier ordering	Subscription / custom pricing

🌟 Tool highlights

Shifts by Everhour

• 📅 Shift scheduling made easy – Plan staff shifts and manage availability without scheduling conflicts.
• ⏱ Attendance tracking – Keep track of who’s working and when, reducing no-shows.
• 📊 Labor analytics – Analyze staff workload, overtime, and efficiency for smarter planning.

Caterease

• 📝 All-in-one event management – Handle orders, proposals, and guest lists in one platform.
• 📊 Reporting & analytics – Generate insights on bookings, revenue, and performance.
• 💼 Client management – Keep track of client info, event history, and preferences.

CaterZen

• 📄 Proposal & BEO templates – Quickly create professional event proposals and banquet orders.
• 👩‍🍳 Kitchen production planning – Organize menus, recipes, and prep tasks efficiently.
• 🤝 Client CRM – Track leads, manage contacts, and streamline communication.

Curate

• 📊 Event sales tracking – Monitor contracts, leads, and event revenue.
• 📝 Workflow management – Keep tasks, deadlines, and team responsibilities organized.
• 📞 Client communication – Centralize messages and updates to improve coordination.

Planning Pod

• 📅 Guest & event management – Manage attendees, bookings, and event logistics easily.
• 💰 Budgeting & payments – Track event costs, collect payments, and generate reports.
• 🏢 Venue coordination – Integrate venue details with catering tasks and staff assignments.

FoodNotify

• 📋 Recipe & menu management – Maintain accurate recipes and menus across multiple events.
• 📦 Inventory control – Monitor stock levels and automate reorders for ingredients.
• 📈 Order tracking – Keep track of catering orders from preparation to delivery.

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🚀 How Shifts by Everhour Supports Catering Teams

• 📅 Streamlined staff scheduling – Easily assign shifts, manage availability, and avoid conflicts during busy events.

• ⏱ Attendance tracking & notifications – Keep track of who’s working, send reminders, and reduce no-shows.
• 🛠 Event coordination – Align staff with multiple events or venues, ensuring every detail is covered.
• 📲 Mobile access for teams – Staff can check schedules, swap shifts, and receive updates on the go.

• 📊 Labor analytics & reporting – Monitor hours, overtime, and performance to optimize staffing and reduce costs.
• 💬 Improved communication – Centralized notifications and updates keep managers and staff on the same page.

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⚠️ Potential Pitfalls to Avoid

• 🚫 Overbooking staff – Assigning too many shifts to one person can cause burnout or no-shows.
• 🕒 Ignoring real-time updates – Failing to communicate schedule changes quickly leads to missed coverage.
• ❌ Skipping reporting – Without tracking hours and performance, it’s hard to optimize staffing.
• 💬 Poor communication – Confusion over shifts or event requirements can create delays and mistakes.
• 📉 Not planning for high-demand periods – Holidays, weekends, and peak seasons require extra attention to staffing needs.

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❓ FAQ: Catering Scheduling Software

What is catering scheduling software?

A tool that helps catering businesses manage staff schedules, assign shifts, track attendance, and coordinate events efficiently.

Can it reduce missed shifts and staffing issues?

Yes. By centralizing scheduling, sending notifications, and tracking attendance, it minimizes no-shows and coverage gaps.

Is it suitable for small catering businesses?

Absolutely. Many tools, like Shifts by Everhour, offer free or affordable plans suitable for teams of any size.

Does it integrate with other catering software?

Many scheduling tools can integrate with catering management platforms, POS systems, or communication apps to streamline operations.

Can staff access schedules on mobile?

Most modern catering scheduling tools provide mobile access, allowing staff to view shifts, request swaps, and receive updates on the go.

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✅ Conclusion

Catering scheduling software streamlines staff management, reduces missed shifts, and improves event coordination. By using the right tool, businesses can optimize labor, enhance communication, and ensure every event runs smoothly.

For catering teams looking for reliable shift management, Shifts by Everhour offers easy scheduling, attendance tracking, and labor analytics—making it a strong choice for teams of any size.

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