How does the calculator actually work?
You enter your guest count, service style (plated, buffet, cocktail, or family-style), and meal type. Catering Calc applies industry-standard portion sizes for each food category, adjusts for your service style and how many kids are on the guest list, adds a buffer percentage (scaled down a bit for larger events, since they average out), and gives you exact pounds needed per category. The same math runs on the free web calculator and in the mobile app.
What's free versus what needs Pro?
The Food Quantity Calculator - the core tool, both here on the web and in the app - is completely free, forever, no signup. Pro unlocks three more calculators (Beverage & Ice, Staffing Ratios, Disposables & Equipment), unlimited saved event templates, shopping/prep checklists, PDF/text export, and removes the ad banner.
Do I need an account to use it?
The Food Quantity Calculator never requires an account, on the web or in the app. Pro does require a free Catering Calc account (email/password, Google, or Apple sign-in) - that's what keeps your purchase and saved events in sync between the app and this website, on any device you sign into.
How do I cancel or manage my subscription?
Subscriptions are billed and managed entirely through Apple or Google, not through us - go to your Apple ID or Google Play account settings to change or cancel a plan. We never see or store your payment details.
Can I get a refund?
Refunds go through Apple or Google's own refund process, since that's who processes the payment. If you're stuck, reach out through the Support page and we'll point you in the right direction.
Is my event data private?
Yes - saved events, guest counts, and checklists never leave your device. There's no server storing your event details. See the Privacy Policy for the full picture, including what the ad SDK collects on the free tier.
How accurate are the numbers?
They're solid, widely-used industry rules of thumb - a strong starting point, not a guarantee. Actual consumption varies by your specific guests, menu, and event length, so your own experience should always have the final say. Pro users can also set their own persistent defaults for things like napkins or cups per person, so the app learns your house style over time.
Does it work offline?
Yes - both the mobile app and the underlying calculation engine work fully offline once loaded. Kitchens and event venues don't always have reliable wifi, so this was a requirement from day one.