Flex Catering
Flex Catering is a comprehensive catering management software designed to streamline your entire food service operation from online ordering and kitchen production to delivery and automated invoicing.
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 | Flex Catering | Total Party Planner |
|---|---|---|
| Website | flexcatering.com | totalpartyplanner.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $149/month | $105/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 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 | 2014 | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Richmond, USA |
Overview
Flex Catering
Flex Catering provides a centralized hub to manage your catering business more efficiently. You can launch a professional online ordering website that syncs directly with your kitchen, allowing customers to place orders, select delivery windows, and pay online. This eliminates manual data entry and reduces the risk of order errors during busy periods.
The platform handles the heavy lifting of production by generating automated kitchen sheets, packing slips, and delivery runs based on your active orders. You can manage multiple kitchen locations, track ingredient requirements, and automate your invoicing through integrations with popular accounting tools. It is built specifically for corporate caterers, event planners, and food service providers who need to scale their operations without increasing administrative overhead.
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
Flex Catering Features
- Online Ordering Website Launch a branded, mobile-responsive storefront where your customers can easily browse menus and place orders 24/7.
- Kitchen Production Reports Generate automated prep lists and kitchen sheets so your team knows exactly what to cook and when.
- Delivery Management Organize your delivery runs efficiently with automated packing slips and optimized routing for your drivers.
- Automated Invoicing Create and send professional invoices automatically and sync them directly with your preferred accounting software.
- Event Management Manage complex events with detailed run sheets, equipment tracking, and staff requirements in one central location.
- Menu & Dietary Tracking Set up flexible menus with specific dietary tags to help your customers filter options safely and easily.
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
Flex Catering Pricing
- Online ordering website
- Order management
- Kitchen production reports
- Basic delivery management
- Credit card processing
- Email support
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Accounting integrations
- Advanced reporting
- Customer CRM tools
- Multiple menu management
- Priority email support
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
Flex Catering
Pros
- User-friendly interface for both staff and customers
- Significant reduction in manual administrative tasks
- Excellent kitchen production and packing reports
- Responsive customer support team during setup
- Seamless integration with Xero and QuickBooks
Cons
- Initial setup of complex menus takes time
- Limited customization options for the website templates
- Higher starting price point for very small businesses
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