M-Catering Off-Site Catering Policies
(events hosted in places other than within University Unions facilities)General Policies
All catered events are subject to:
- $35.00 minimum food and beverage sales
- State of Michigan sales tax
- 18% Gratuity ($35.00 minimum gratuity)
- $35 delivery/trucking fee for orders less than $500
- Effective May 1, 2018:
- Orders placed for Sunday-only events that are not part of a larger, multi-day event require a minimum, combined food and beverage order of $500.
- Orders received within three (3) business days of an event will be assessed a late fee of $50. For example, an order received on Tuesday for a Friday event or Thursday for a Monday event would be charged a rush fee.
In order to comply with local health department regulations, all perishable left-overs must be discarded by Michigan Catering. Michigan Catering works closely with Food Gatherers to donate unused food items.
All prices are subject to change. Food and beverage pricing can be confirmed a maximum of two months in advance with menu selection.
Every building on campus has different hours of operation. These details should be discussed with your account executive at time of booking.
Guest Guarantees
Accurate counts and meal designations help to optimize service. The final guaranteed count must be provided a minimum of six business days prior to the event. The final charge will be based on the guaranteed count or actual number served, whichever is greater.
Cancellations
While reasonable effort will be made to minimize cancellation charges, groups will be held responsible for all charges incurred as a result of any commitments made to facilitate the event. Events canceled within three business days may be charged up to 100% of the total estimated food and beverage charges.
Service Styles
In addition to full service, Michigan Catering offers the following types of limited service. Please discuss your event needs with your Event Coordinator to determine the most appropriate service style for your needs.
Drop off Service
The trays and utensils provided with your food-only deliveries are yours to keep or dispose of at your leisure. For hot beverage orders we will provide our thermal dispensers but will require you to inform your Event Manager when we can pick up the equipment. We reserve the right to charge your short code for any missing equipment.
Pick-up Orders
All pick-up orders will be presented on disposable products. Pick-ups can occur M-F, 8am-4pm at the Administrative Office in the Pierpont Commons.
Multiple Entrees
For served meals an additional $1.00 per person will be charged when multiple entrees are offered.
Payment Policies
For commercial events, funds to adequately cover the balance of all estimate charges must be paid two weeks in advance of the event in the form of:
Payments may be made in the form of:
- a check or money order payable to "the Regents of the University of Michigan" or
- a Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover credit card payment (via Nelnet)
All refunds will be distributed in the same form as payment method after accounting is complete.
University Departments and student organizations must pay with a University Short Code.
Student organizations must deposit adequate funds to cover all charges in their S.O.A.S. accounts no later than one week prior to the scheduled function.
Alcohol Service
Michigan Catering’s Off-Site Catering does not hold an off premise catering liquor permit. The client is therefore responsible for providing the alcohol and the special license. A special license is not required if all of the following conditions apply:
- the event is free of charge
- the event is by invitation only (not open to the public)
- no regular liquor inventory is kept
- the event must be monitored by a designated responsible individual, and all servers are TAM-certified
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Full Catering and Alcohol Service
With this option, we are contracted for the catered food in addition to the service of the client-provided alcohol)
Applicable charges: $100 per hour per bartender.
This fee covers all bartenders, disposable glasses, ice, and garnishes.
Glassware available for rental+20%. -
Alcohol Service Only
With this option, we are contracted solely for the client-provided alcohol service.
Applicable charges: $250 set up fee plus $100 per hour per bartender.
This fee covers all bartenders, disposable glasses, ice, and garnishes.
Glassware available for rental+20%. -
Wine Service Only
With this option, we are contracted to hand pass or serve client-provided wines as part of dinner service.
This fee covers service only.
Glassware available for rental+20%.
Applicable charges: $3.00 per guest.
We are happy to offer bartending services and facilitate orders and deliveries, but all alcohol must be paid for separately from Michigan Catering. By law our staff is not permitted to receive, purchase or transport alcohol; this is the responsibility of the client.
All Michigan Catering bartenders are trained in and observe the "Techniques of Alcohol Management".
An off–site bar service agreement must be signed.