Catering Cost Per Person: Prices for 50, 100 & 150 Guests (2026)
Last updated: July 24, 2026 · Reviewed by the MenuPricer Team
Catering prices vary widely depending on service style, event type, and what is included in the quote. This guide breaks down average costs per person for different group sizes so you know what to expect before you call a caterer.
Average catering cost per person (2026)
Simple buffet
$28–55
per person
Full-service dinner
$80–140
per person
Wedding catering
$95–175
per person
Catering prices by service style and group size
| Service style | 50 guests | 100 guests | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-off / delivery (no staff) | $700–1,500 | $1,200–2,800 | $14–28/pp |
| Buffet (with setup staff, no servers) | $1,500–3,000 | $2,800–5,500 | $28–55/pp |
| Buffet + attendants (food replenished) | $2,200–4,000 | $4,000–7,000 | $40–70/pp |
| Plated dinner (full service staff) | $4,000–7,500 | $7,500–14,000 | $80–140/pp |
| Cocktail reception (passed appetizers) | $2,500–5,000 | $4,500–8,500 | $50–85/pp |
| Wedding dinner (premium service) | $5,000–10,000 | $9,000–18,000 | $95–170/pp |
Prices are US averages for 2026. Major cities (NYC, SF, LA) run 25–40% higher. Prices exclude gratuity (18–22%), alcohol, and venue rental unless noted.
Average catering cost by event type
| Event type | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Corporate lunch | $30–55/pp |
| Corporate dinner / gala | $65–130/pp |
| Wedding reception | $85–175/pp |
| Birthday party | $35–85/pp |
| Graduation party | $25–60/pp |
| Holiday party | $45–95/pp |
| Breakfast / brunch | $25–55/pp |
| Cocktail reception only | $45–90/pp |
What is included in a catering quote — and what is not
Usually included
✓ Food ingredients and preparation
✓ Delivery and transportation
✓ Setup of food service area
✓ Serving staff (full-service only)
✓ Disposable serving ware (buffet)
✓ Cleanup of food prep area
Usually NOT included
✗ Alcohol and bar service
✗ Table, chair, and linen rentals
✗ Venue fee
✗ Gratuity (typically 18–22%)
✗ Sales tax
✗ Parking or travel fees (sometimes)
Always ask your caterer for a full itemized quote. A $55/person base price with gratuity, tax, rentals, and bar can easily become $90–110/person all-in.
What drives catering prices up or down
Service style is the biggest factor
Drop-off vs staffed buffet vs plated service can triple the cost. Food is often 40–50% of the total quote; labor is the other major component. Full-service staffing (servers, bartenders, captains) adds $20–50/person to the cost.
Menu complexity and ingredient quality
A steak and lobster menu costs more to produce than a chicken and pasta menu, and that difference flows through to the quote. Premium catering companies also use higher-quality base ingredients that show in flavor and in cost.
Guest count and minimum orders
Most caterers have a minimum order ($1,000–$3,000 is common). At 20 guests you may hit that minimum and pay far above the nominal per-person rate. At 150 guests, you benefit from economies of scale — fixed costs like staffing and transport spread further.
Location and travel
Urban catering (NYC, SF, LA, Chicago) runs 25–40% higher than national averages due to higher ingredient, labor, and logistics costs. Remote venues often add a travel or fuel surcharge.
Day of week and seasonality
Saturday evening events cost more than Tuesday lunches. Peak wedding season (May–October) is often priced 10–20% above off-peak dates. Booking 6–12 months out gives you more options and sometimes better pricing.
For caterers: how to price your own services
If you are a caterer building your pricing, the guest-count tables above reflect market rates. Your job is to price high enough to cover your costs and margin while staying competitive. The food costing formula for catering:
Per-person price = (Food cost per person ÷ 0.30) + Labor allocation + Overhead share
Target 25–30% food cost, then layer on labor and overhead to arrive at your quote.
Calculate your catering cost and quote
MenuPricer helps caterers price every menu item by food cost — so your per-person quotes are always built on accurate ingredient costs, not guesswork.
Open Catering Pricing Calculator →FAQ
How much does catering cost per person?
Catering costs per person range from $20–30 for simple drop-off buffets to $150–300+ for full-service plated dinners with staffing, rentals, and bar service. The most common range for a corporate lunch or casual social event is $35–75 per person. Wedding catering typically runs $85–175 per person for full-service events. Breakfast and brunch catering is generally $25–55 per person. Cocktail-style reception catering (appetizers, no seated meal) runs $45–95 per person.
How much does catering for 50 people cost?
Catering for 50 people costs approximately $1,500–$7,500 total depending on the service style. A simple buffet lunch for 50 runs $1,500–3,000 ($30–60/person). A seated dinner with servers and rentals for 50 runs $4,000–7,500 ($80–150/person). Corporate box lunch delivery for 50 runs $700–1,500 ($14–30/person). The final quote also depends on your location, the caterer's minimum order requirements, and whether rentals (tables, linens, chairs) are included.
How much does catering for 100 people cost?
Catering for 100 people costs approximately $3,000–$15,000 total. A casual buffet lunch runs $3,000–6,000 ($30–60/person). A full-service dinner with servers and bar runs $8,000–15,000 ($80–150/person). Wedding catering for 100 guests typically starts at $8,000–10,000 all-in and can reach $25,000+ for premium catering. Most caterers have lower per-person rates at 100 guests vs 50 because fixed costs (staff travel, vehicle, setup) spread across more covers.
What is included in a catering quote?
A standard catering quote includes: food and ingredients, preparation and cooking labor, delivery and setup, and serving staff during the event (for full-service catering). It typically does NOT include: venue rental, table/chair rentals, linens, alcohol (often quoted separately), gratuity (usually added as 18–22%), and sales tax. Always ask what is and is not included before comparing quotes from different caterers — the same per-person price can represent very different levels of service.
Does catering cost less for larger groups?
Yes, generally. Catering cost per person decreases as group size increases because fixed costs (chef labor, vehicle, equipment) spread across more guests. A caterer might charge $65/person for 50 guests and $50/person for 150 guests. However, the savings plateau — a group of 200 and a group of 500 might have similar per-person costs because both require similar staffing ratios and equipment scale. Minimums also play a role: many caterers have a minimum order of $1,000–$2,500, which can make very small events (under 20 guests) disproportionately expensive.