Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc.
Chicago, Illinois
www.outsidethebox.catering

Effective Date: October 26, 2026

Thank you for choosing Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc. (OTB) for your catering and event service needs!

We are proud to provide exceptional cuisine, professional hospitality, and thoughtfully designed catering experiences throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

To ensure every event receives the attention, preparation, and service it deserves, we have established the following ordering, payment, cancellation, and refund policies.

These policies apply to our drop-off catering, corporate catering, special events, and full-service catering unless otherwise specified in a signed catering agreement or approved written contract.

By submitting payment, approving an invoice, or signing a catering agreement, clients acknowledge and agree to the applicable terms and conditions outlined below.

Catering orders may be submitted through our website, online ordering platform, email, or by contacting our catering team directly.

Website: www.outsidethebox.catering
Email: events@outsidethebox.catering
Phone: 773-801-1055

All orders are subject to availability, menu selection, staffing capacity, and confirmation by our catering team.

Submitting an inquiry or requesting an estimate does not guarantee availability or reserve an event date.

An order is considered confirmed once the applicable deposit or full payment has been received and any required catering agreement has been approved.

To provide the highest quality food and service, all standard drop-off catering orders should be placed at least two (2) business days before the scheduled delivery or event.

Orders submitted within two business days of the requested service date are subject to availability and a 15% rush order fee.

Rush orders may be declined based on ingredient availability, preparation requirements, staffing, or existing commitments.

We recommend booking larger corporate events, weddings, and full-service catering as early as possible to secure your preferred date.

Our standard catering minimums are:

• Monday through Friday Drop-Off Catering: $250 minimum food order.
• Saturday and Sunday Events: $2,500 minimum booking, subject to service availability.
• Full-Service Catering: Generally requires a minimum of 50 guests.

Weekend drop-off catering is not part of our standard service schedule and is available only by special approval.

Minimums are calculated before applicable taxes, service charges, delivery charges, and additional rental or staffing fees unless otherwise stated in your proposal.

We understand that event details can change, and our team will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requested adjustments.

All menu changes, guest-count adjustments, delivery changes, and special requests must be submitted in writing to events@outsidethebox.catering.

Changes are subject to approval, food availability, staffing schedules, and existing production commitments.

Requests to increase guest counts, add menu items, change delivery times, or add services may result in additional charges.

Orders requiring substantial changes may be subject to a revised invoice or proposal.

Once food purchasing, preparation, equipment reservations, or staffing commitments have begun, reductions or cancellations may be subject to the applicable cancellation policy.

For weddings and contracted full-service events, the final guaranteed guest count is due 21 days before the scheduled event unless otherwise specified in the signed agreement.

For orders booked more than seven (7) days before the event, clients may be eligible to divide the total into two payments:

• 25% non-refundable deposit due at booking to secure the order.
• 75% remaining balance due seven (7) days before the scheduled delivery or event.

Orders placed within seven days of the event generally require payment in full at the time of booking.

All deposits are non-refundable.

Full-service catering events, including corporate receptions, weddings, galas, and other staffed celebrations, require a deposit to secure the event date.

Unless otherwise specified in the catering proposal, a 25% non-refundable deposit is required upon booking.

Remaining payments will follow the schedule outlined in the client's approved proposal, invoice, or signed catering agreement.

Our standard wedding payment structure is:

• 25% non-refundable deposit to secure the wedding date.
• Additional installment due 30 days prior to the wedding.
• Final remaining balance due 14 days prior to the wedding.

The amounts of the remaining installments will be detailed in the wedding catering agreement.

All scheduled payments must be received by their respective due dates.

Failure to make payments by the established deadlines may jeopardize the reservation and result in cancellation under the applicable agreement.

Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc. accepts several convenient payment methods.

We accept eligible major credit and debit cards through our approved secure payment processors, including Stripe and Square.

Customers will receive an electronic payment confirmation or receipt upon successful processing.

Any applicable processing charges will be disclosed before payment is finalized.

ACH payments are available for eligible business and corporate catering clients.

Banking instructions are provided upon request.

Please contact our team to arrange payment by ACH.

Zelle payments may be sent using:

773-801-1055

Please include your name or company name, event date, and invoice number in the payment memo whenever possible.

Corporate checks are accepted exclusively from pre-authorized corporations, businesses, and organizations that have received prior written payment approval.

Personal checks are not accepted.

All approved corporate checks must be received at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the scheduled event date.

Checks should be made payable to:

Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc.

Mail corporate checks to:

Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc.
444 West Lake St., Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60606

Please include the company name, event date, and invoice number with your payment.

Payments are considered complete only after the check has successfully cleared.

A $35 fee applies to returned checks.

Approval to pay by corporate check is granted at the sole discretion of Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc. and must be obtained before selecting this payment method.

Alternative check payment arrangements must be approved in writing before the applicable payment deadline.

We recognize that circumstances sometimes require an event to be canceled or rescheduled.

However, catering services require advance planning, ingredient purchasing, labor scheduling, equipment preparation, and the reservation of limited event dates.

For these reasons, the following cancellation policies apply.

All catering deposits are non-refundable.

Deposits secure the event date and cover administrative planning, reservation commitments, and preliminary preparation.

For standard catering orders and events, cancellation charges are based on the scheduled event date:

30 or More Days Before the Event

A cancellation fee equal to 10% of the contracted order total applies.

8 to 30 Days Before the Event

A cancellation fee equal to 50% of the contracted order total applies.

Within 7 Days of the Event

The order is 100% non-refundable, and the full contracted amount remains due.

Previously paid non-refundable deposits will be credited toward the applicable cancellation charge, rather than added as a separate charge.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to:

events@outsidethebox.catering

The effective cancellation date is the date the written request is received.

Any refund owed will be calculated after applicable cancellation charges and non-refundable commitments have been assessed.

In certain circumstances, Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc. may authorize eligible cancellation fees or payments to be applied toward a future catering order.

Any credit or rescheduling arrangement is subject to written approval, availability, and the terms provided at the time of approval.

Event credits are not guaranteed and cannot be exchanged for cash unless expressly approved.

A 15% delivery fee applies to drop-off catering orders.

Our standard delivery package includes:

• Wire chafing racks
• Heating fuel
• Serving utensils
• Clear disposable plates
• White disposable napkins
• Premium disposable flatware
• Disposable cups with beverage orders

Our catering team will coordinate delivery and setup according to the service details confirmed in your order.

Additional transportation charges may apply for extended-distance service areas or special logistical requirements and will be disclosed in the estimate.

A 22% full-service catering fee applies to qualifying staffed events in place of the standard drop-off delivery fee.

This fee supports the coordination, preparation, transportation, and standard service equipment associated with the event.

Additional staffing, specialty rentals, upgraded table settings, bar service, and other enhancements are quoted separately when applicable.

Professional servers, bartenders, presentation chefs, attendants, and additional event personnel may be added to an event at the rates provided in the approved proposal.

Specialty rental equipment, linens, glassware, china, flatware, furniture, and upgraded buffet displays may incur additional charges.

All applicable fees will be itemized in your catering estimate or invoice.

All applicable taxes will be added to catering orders as required by local and state law.

Our published standard City of Chicago sales tax rate for applicable catering orders is 10.25%, subject to current tax requirements.

Qualifying tax-exempt organizations must provide a valid tax-exemption certificate before the invoice is finalized.

Tax-exemption documentation may be emailed to:

events@outsidethebox.catering

Tax-exempt status is not automatically applied based solely on an organization's nonprofit designation.

Clients are responsible for ensuring all scheduled payments are completed by their stated due dates.

If a credit or debit card payment is declined, our team may contact the client to request an alternate payment method.

Payment is not considered completed until the transaction has been successfully processed and confirmed.

Failure to resolve an outstanding payment by the applicable deadline may result in cancellation of the order or suspension of catering services.

Any resulting cancellation will remain subject to the cancellation policy and applicable contractual obligations.

Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc. reserves the right to require payment in full before purchasing ingredients, scheduling staff, or executing event services.

We proudly offer menu options to accommodate a variety of dietary preferences and restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other specialized selections.

Clients must disclose all known food allergies and dietary requirements during the ordering and planning process.

Although our team takes care when preparing special dietary meals, our kitchen handles common allergens, and we cannot guarantee an entirely allergen-free environment.

Any special preparation requirements must be reviewed and confirmed by our catering team before the order is finalized.

To ensure a successful catering experience, clients are responsible for providing accurate information, including:

• Correct event date and service times
• Complete delivery address and location instructions
• On-site contact name and telephone number
• Final guaranteed guest count
• Approved menu selections
• Dietary restrictions and food allergies
• Loading dock, parking, elevator, and venue access information
• Applicable venue rules and restrictions

Additional charges resulting from material changes to confirmed event requirements will be communicated when identified.

By placing a catering order, submitting a deposit, completing payment, or approving a catering proposal with Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc., clients acknowledge the applicable payment terms, ordering requirements, and cancellation policies.

All events remain subject to availability and acceptance by Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc.

Where a separately signed event agreement establishes different terms, the terms of that signed agreement will take precedence.

Questions regarding an invoice, catering order, refund, cancellation, or payment arrangement?

Our team is happy to assist.

Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc.

Mailing Address:
444 West Lake St., Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: 773-801-1055
Email: events@outsidethebox.catering
Website: www.outsidethebox.catering

Thank you for choosing Outside the Box Catering and Events Inc.

Soul Food and Food for the Soul.

Delicious. Beautiful. Stress-Free.