How much does catering cost? Real numbers for 25, 50 and 100 guests near Yorkville

How much does catering cost? At Upper Crust, a hot buffet is $474.75 for 25 guests, $949.50 for 50 and $1,899 for 100 on Buffet Menu 1 at $18.99 a person, before 9.25% sales tax. Boxed lunches for 25 are $362.50. A cookout from trays for 60 is $810. Staff, rentals and delivery are extra, and we put every line in writing before you commit.

Total cost by guest count

Buffet Menu 1 is $18.99 a person, with a 20-guest minimum.

• 25 guests: 25 x $18.99 = $474.75
• 50 guests: 50 x $18.99 = $949.50
• 100 guests: 100 x $18.99 = $1,899.00

Buffet Menu 3 is $20.99 a person, so 100 guests is $2,099.00. The step up from Menu 1 to Menu 3 is $2 a guest, and $200 on a party of 100.

Boxed Lunches start at $14.50 each (Basic Boxed Lunch) with a 20-box minimum. For 25 boxes, 25 x $14.50 = $362.50.

Cost from trays

Trays are priced by the tray with no minimum. A tray serves about 20 guests. For 60 guests, BBQ Pulled Pork at $95, Slider Sandwich Buns at $12 and three side trays comes to $810, the plan in BBQ catering. For per-guest figures at each format, see catering cost per person.

Add-ons that change the total

• Sales tax: 9.25% on food and rentals. Tax-exempt organizations give us a certificate before the invoice.
• Chafing dishes: $17 per hot dish, yours to keep, or $20 for a stainless steel set that comes back.
• Plates, napkins and silverware: $1.50 a person.
• Tongs and serving spoons: $1 each.
• Staffed events: servers at $35 an hour each with a 4-hour minimum, a $50 event production fee and a 20% service charge on food and rentals.
• Delivery: quoted when you order. Pick up at our Yorkville kitchen to skip it.

When you pay

A 25% deposit (20% for weddings) holds the date. On a $949.50 buffet that is about $237. The deposit is credited to your balance. The balance is due 7 days before the event after the final guest count. You can raise your guest count any time before you pay the balance. After the deposit, it may drop by no more than 10%. Pay by card, check or ACH.

What drives the price most

• Staff. Servers, a production fee and a service charge are the biggest add.
• Guest count. Per person prices stay the same, so the total tracks headcount.
• Menu tier. $18.99, $19.99 or $20.99 a person for a hot buffet.
• Date lead time. Standard orders need 3 days. Staffed events need 14 days.

Cost for particular events

For a graduation party, see graduation party food for 50, 100 or 150. For weddings, see wedding catering cost in Kendall County. For an office, see office lunch for 20. We can only speak to our own prices. When you compare quotes from anyone, ask for food, staff, rentals, delivery and tax on one sheet.

Ask for a written quote

The quote form takes your date, headcount and food. A quote is valid for 14 days. Call (630) 553-9533 and the person who quotes your event stays on it through the day.

Questions

How much does catering cost per person?

Our hot buffets are $18.99 to $20.99 a person, boxed lunches start at $14.50, and trays work out to about $13.50 a person for a cookout.

How much does it cost to cater a party for 50?

$949.50 for Buffet Menu 1 food before tax. From trays, a cookout for 40 guests is $520 before dessert, and a 60-guest cookout is $810.

Is there a minimum?

Buffets and packages start at 20 guests, and boxed lunches at 20 boxes. Trays have no minimum.

Is the deposit refundable?

No. It is credited to your balance. Other payments are refunded, less costs incurred, if you cancel 7 or more days before an event, or 30 or more for a wedding.