How-to · Updated October 2, 2026
How much does catering cost per person?
Direct answer
For 100 guests, a $25 food budget, 20 miles, and a 20% margin, a buffet is $50.88 per person ($5,088). Plated service is $55.08. Cocktail service is $47.88.
Same 100 guests, three styles
Food stays $25 per person. Only equipment and the server ratio change.
| Style | Servers | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffet (1 server per 30) | 4 | $5,088 | $50.88 |
| Plated (1 server per 20) | 5 | $5,508 | $55.08 |
| Cocktail (1 server per 35) | 3 | $4,788 | $47.88 |
Headcount changes the per-person price
Buffet, $25 food, 20 miles, 20% margin.
| Guests | Kitchen labor | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | $500 | $1,908 | $76.32 |
| 100 | $600 | $5,088 | $50.88 |
| 150 | $800 | $7,188 | $47.92 |
A 125-guest plated menu at $60 of food per person is $12,258, or $98.06 each. Bar, cake, tax, and gratuity are not in that figure.
Limits
- Planning estimate from this calculator’s rates, not a caterer’s quote. Local wages, rentals, and weekend premiums differ.
- Sales tax, an 18–22% service charge, and a bar package are extra.
- The event label (wedding, corporate, social) does not change the price. Guest count, food budget, service style, miles, and margin do.
Use the calculator
Line by line for the 100-guest buffet: how to calculate catering for 100 guests. Change the headcount in the catering cost estimator.