CaterZen
CaterZen is an all-in-one catering management software designed to help you grow sales, manage orders, and streamline your entire catering operation from a single web-based platform.
Total Party Planner
Total Party Planner is a specialized catering and event management software designed to streamline your kitchen operations, menu costing, and front-of-house event coordination in one centralized platform.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | CaterZen | Total Party Planner |
|---|---|---|
| Website | caterzen.com | totalpartyplanner.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $129/month | $105/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 0 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2010 | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, USA | Richmond, USA |
Overview
CaterZen
CaterZen provides a comprehensive suite of tools specifically built to handle the unique complexities of a catering business. You can manage everything from initial lead generation and online ordering to kitchen production sheets and delivery routing. The platform eliminates the need for multiple disconnected systems by combining a specialized catering CRM with robust operational tools.
You can automate your follow-ups with built-in marketing tools and manage your calendar to ensure no order is ever missed. Whether you run a small independent restaurant or a large-scale corporate catering operation, the software helps you professionalize your brand and increase your average order value through integrated upselling features and loyalty programs.
Total Party Planner
Total Party Planner helps you manage every detail of your catering business from a single cloud-based dashboard. You can create professional proposals, manage complex recipes with real-time costing, and track your equipment inventory without jumping between different spreadsheets. It simplifies the transition from a lead to a finished event by keeping your staff, kitchen, and clients synchronized through automated workflows and shared calendars.
The platform is built specifically for caterers and event planners who need to maintain high margins while delivering consistent service. You can access your data from any device, allowing you to check event details or update orders while on-site. By centralizing your communications and financial data, you can reduce manual entry errors and ensure your team always has the most up-to-date event information.
Overview
CaterZen Features
- Online Ordering Let your customers place catering orders directly through your website with a mobile-friendly interface that handles complex modifications.
- Catering CRM Track every customer interaction and order history so you can personalize your service and build long-term client relationships.
- Kitchen Production Generate automated prep lists and pack sheets based on your orders to reduce waste and ensure order accuracy.
- Marketing Automation Send automated thank-you emails and re-order reminders to your clients to keep your brand top-of-mind effortlessly.
- Delivery Management Organize your delivery zones and schedules visually to optimize your routes and ensure every meal arrives on time.
- Proposal Builder Create professional, branded quotes and proposals in minutes that your clients can sign and pay for electronically.
Total Party Planner Features
- Recipe Costing. Calculate exact margins for every dish by linking ingredients to current market prices and portion sizes.
- Proposal Builder. Generate professional, branded proposals and contracts that your clients can sign electronically to speed up bookings.
- Kitchen Production. Create automated prep lists and pack sheets based on your event orders to ensure nothing gets left behind.
- Staff Scheduling. Assign team members to specific events and track their hours to manage your labor costs effectively.
- CRM & Lead Tracking. Manage your entire sales pipeline and store detailed client preferences to build long-term repeat business.
- Calendar Sync. View your entire event schedule at a glance and sync it with your personal mobile calendars.
Pricing Comparison
CaterZen Pricing
- Catering CRM
- Order management
- Calendar management
- Kitchen production reports
- Invoice generation
- Credit card processing
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Online ordering system
- Automated marketing tools
- Loyalty program management
- Advanced reporting
- Proposal builder
Total Party Planner Pricing
- Event & Contact Management
- Basic Proposal Templates
- Calendar Management
- Task Tracking
- Standard Reporting
- Email Support
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Advanced Recipe Costing
- Kitchen Production Sheets
- Staff Scheduling Tools
- Online Payments Integration
- Priority Phone Support
Pros & Cons
CaterZen
Pros
- Excellent customer support with dedicated account managers
- Comprehensive feature set specifically designed for catering
- Significant time savings on administrative and manual tasks
- Effective tools for increasing repeat corporate sales
Cons
- Interface feels slightly dated compared to modern apps
- Initial setup requires a significant time investment
- Higher starting price point than generic POS systems
Total Party Planner
Pros
- Highly specialized for catering-specific kitchen workflows
- Excellent customer support with industry knowledge
- Accurate recipe costing helps maintain profit margins
- Easy to generate professional-looking client proposals
Cons
- Initial setup of recipe databases is time-consuming
- User interface feels dated compared to newer apps
- Mobile browser experience can be slightly clunky