Why Catering Businesses Choose Flex

Switching catering software should give your team more than a new way to manage events. Flex brings drop-off catering, full-service events, online ordering, CRM, proposals, production, payments, delivery and reporting together in one platform. From the first enquiry or online order through to fulfilment and final payment, your team can manage every stage of the workflow with greater visibility and less manual administration.

Connected Catering Workflows

Manage enquiries, quotes, orders, events, menus, production and reporting without relying on disconnected systems.

  • Event and Drop-Off Catering in one software
  • Cloud-based access anywhere
  • Quotes with approval
  • Centralize proposals, bookings, production, delivery
  • Integrated payments
  • CRM (lead management) & Automation
  • Integrations

Branded Online Ordering

Give customers a professional ordering portal with your menus, pricing, delivery options and ordering rules.

  • Branded online ordering site
  • Online payments and confirmations
  • Customer portal with order history and change order
  • B2B & B2C features
  • Favourites & Dedicated menus per customer
  • Set cut-off times and closure periods

Production and Delivery Management

Turn confirmed orders into preparation, packing and delivery workflows for kitchen and fulfilment teams.

  • Driver app with routing and proof of delivery
  • Production sheets and delivery runs
  • Real-time visibility across your team
  • Customizable reports
  • Share with kitchen, packing, and dispatch teams
  • Create prep sheets, production lists, worksheets, and summaries
  • Capability
  • Flex
  • Questions to ask when comparing
Compare Flex with Caterease
Capability Flex Questions to ask when comparing

Cloud-based access

Access Flex through a web browser from anywhere with an internet connection

Is the platform browser-based, or are desktop applications and remote-access tools required?

Events and drop-off catering

Manage full-service events, drop-off orders and corporate catering in one connected platform

Can both workflows be managed together?

Enquiry Forms, CRM and Lead Management

Capture website enquiries directly in Flex with no manual data entry. Track customers, opportunities and communications, then convert an enquiry into an order or event with a single click.

Can enquiries, customers and sales opportunities be tracked?

Proposals and e-signatures

Create and customise branded proposals directly in Flex, with approved details flowing into the customer, event and operational workflow.

Can proposals be customized within the platform and remain connected to events and operations after approval?

BEOs and kitchen production

Turn confirmed orders into BEOs, preparation sheets, production reports and packing documents

Can confirmed orders generate production documents?

Staffing, Equipment and Rostering Integrations

Plan staffing and equipment requirements alongside each event, then connect with rostering platforms such as Deputy or Nowsta to support workforce scheduling.

Can staffing requirements flow into your rostering system, and can equipment needs be managed alongside the event?

Reporting and multi-location control

Generate reports across individual locations while maintaining central visibility

Can individual locations be managed with central visibility?

Branded online ordering

Let customers order directly through a branded B2B or B2C ordering website

Is online ordering native, included or an additional product?

Ordering Controls and Availability

Control when customers can order using configurable cut-off times, closure periods and menu or product availability by day, date or ordering window.

Are cut-off times, closure dates and menu availability available?

Weekly and scheduled menus

Publish menus and products according to selected days, dates or ordering periods

Can different menus and products be made available according to a weekly schedule?

Customer-specific ordering

Offer private menus, account pricing and tailored ordering experiences

Can different customers receive their own menus, products, pricing and ordering rules?

Delivery planning and driver tools

Coordinate routes, delivery instructions and proof of delivery from one connected workflow

Are routes and delivery confirmation supported?

Integrations and API access

Available

Which integrations are included, and is API access available?

Implementation, Migration and Support

Receive guided onboarding, migration assistance and fast, friendly support from a team that understands catering operations.

What onboarding, migration and ongoing support are included, and how quickly can you expect help when needed?

One Platform for Catering, Events and Operations

Connect customer enquiries, online orders, event details, kitchen production and fulfilment in one streamlined system.
1

End-to-End Catering Workflow

Flex connects the complete catering workflow from the initial enquiry through to fulfilment. Manage customers, quotes, online and manually entered orders, event details, production requirements, payments and delivery from one central platform.

Sales, administration, kitchen and delivery teams can work from the same order information, reducing duplicate data entry and making it easier to manage updates throughout the order lifecycle.

2

Branded Online Ordering

Give corporate and retail customers a branded online ordering experience using your menus, pricing, modifiers, delivery options and ordering rules.

Customers can place orders directly with your business rather than relying on a third-party marketplace. Orders flow into Flex for review, payment, production and fulfilment, helping your team reduce manual order entry while maintaining control of the customer relationship.

3

CRM, Lead and Customer Management

Manage enquiries, customer details, sales opportunities and order history from one central CRM. Your team can track prospects from the first enquiry through to proposal, confirmation and future orders.

Flex helps catering businesses organise follow-ups, record customer requirements and maintain visibility across the sales pipeline. Existing customers, prospects and event contacts remain connected to their relevant orders, quotes and communications.

4

Proposals, E-Signatures and Approvals

Create professional proposals using your menus, packages, services, staffing, equipment and pricing. Customers can review, approve and sign proposals electronically.

Once approved, proposal details remain connected to the customer, event and operational workflow, helping sales and operations teams stay aligned while reducing duplicate data entry.

5

BEOs and Kitchen Production

Turn confirmed orders and events into clear operational documents for your team. Flex can generate BEOs, preparation sheets, production reports, packing documents, labels and other supporting paperwork from the order information already stored in the system.

Kitchen teams gain better visibility of quantities, menu items, preparation requirements and service details, helping reduce manual calculations and improve accuracy from production through to packing.

6

Driver App and Delivery Management

Plan deliveries, organise routes and give drivers access to the information they need while completing their runs. Delivery details remain connected to the relevant catering orders, helping dispatch and administration teams monitor fulfilment.

Drivers can access delivery addresses, customer instructions and order information from the field. Flex also supports delivery planning across multiple orders and locations, helping teams coordinate busy delivery schedules more effectively.

8

Calendar and Venue Bookings

View catering orders, events and important operational dates through a connected calendar. Teams can quickly understand what is happening across different days, locations and event spaces.

For businesses managing venues or function rooms, Flex can also support room availability, booking details and event requirements. Calendar visibility helps sales and operations teams coordinate bookings while reducing the risk of missed dates or scheduling conflicts.

9

Staff Scheduling and Workforce Integrations

Plan staffing requirements for catering orders and events, including roles, shifts, locations and service times. Staffing information remains connected to the relevant event or order so operational teams can understand what resources are required.

Flex can also connect with selected workforce management platforms, helping businesses coordinate scheduling alongside their wider catering workflow.

10

Equipment Hire and Tracking

Manage equipment requirements alongside your catering orders and events. Add hire items, quantities, pricing and operational notes directly to proposals and confirmed bookings.

This gives sales and operations teams clearer visibility of what equipment is required, where it needs to go and when it must be returned. Equipment information can also flow into supporting documentation, helping reduce missed items during preparation, delivery and collection.

11

Integrated Payments and Accounting

Accept deposits, partial payments and final balances while keeping payment activity connected to the relevant customer, order or event. Save customer card information and enable auto card payment as required.

12

Reporting, Integrations and Multi-Location Control

Monitor customers, orders, sales, production, payments and operational performance through built-in reports and exportable data. Multi-location businesses can manage individual stores, venues or production sites while maintaining central visibility across the wider operation.

Flex integrates with selected accounting, delivery, marketing and staff rostering platforms. API access and documentation are also available for approved integration requirements, helping businesses exchange data with other systems.

See How Flex Supports Your Catering Workflow

Explore the tools available for event catering, drop-off orders, production, payments and delivery.

View Plans & Feature List

Customer Story

Axcess Catering, Dallas Axcess Catering and Events
The Catering Department, Sydney the catering department video
Savory, New York Savory Catering and Events Management

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Flex a cloud-based alternative to Caterease?

Yes. Flex is a web-based catering management platform that connects customer management, online ordering, proposals, events, kitchen production, payments and delivery in one system.

Can Flex manage both drop-off catering and full-service events?

Yes. Flex supports advance catering orders, corporate and drop-off catering, proposals, BEOs, staffing, equipment, venue bookings and event production workflows.

Does Flex include branded online ordering?

Yes. Flex can provide a branded online ordering website where customers browse menus, customise orders, select fulfilment options and make payments directly with your business.

Can data be migrated from Caterease to Flex?

Migration options depend on the data and export formats available from your current system. The Flex team can review customer, contact, menu and product data and help plan a structured transition.

How long does it take to switch to Flex?

Most clients complete onboarding within 2–3 weeks, depending on their menus, locations, integrations, data requirements and staff training. More complex implementations may require additional time.

Does Flex support BEOs, production and delivery?

Yes. Flex can turn confirmed orders and events into BEOs, preparation sheets, production reports, packing documents, labels and delivery workflows.

What should I compare when choosing a Caterease alternative?

Consider the complete operational workflow, including online ordering, CRM, proposals, event management, production, delivery, payments, integrations, implementation support and the cost of any required modules.

Does Flex provide integrations and API access?

Flex integrates with selected payment, accounting, workforce, marketing and operational platforms. API access and documentation are also available.

Google Rating
5.0

Google Review

Flex Catering place picture
4.8
Based on 16 reviews
Melanie profile picture
Melanie
2 years ago
We have been using Flex Catering for over 4 years in our Perth based catering business. We chose Flex after researching several other platforms and it was the best decision we ever made for the business. From the very start, we were amazed at the amount of time we saved on administration in both the office and kitchen. At first we were concerned about the cost of switching to an online catering program as we are a small business. However not only was Flex the most competitively priced platform, it ended up saving us the cost of another full time wage in the office. Our customers also love the online ordering system as is easy for them to place orders and pay online, and our overall business increased as a result. The support is great and they respond to any query or request very quickly. They are also always updating the program with even more new features and are responsive to suggestions from their clients. We highly recommend Flex Catering for any size catering business.
Daniel Kruithoff profile picture
Daniel Kruithoff
2 years ago
It’s been 12 months now since we switched to Flex Catering for our catering business. It’s THE best decision we could have made for our business. The platform delivers stability and real flexibility. The team is responsive and have been great to work with. Highly recommend.
Beth George profile picture
Beth George
3 years ago
Flex Catering software works so well for our company. We find it extremely easy to update our menus and content pages and Flex are great at implementing new features. Our customers also comment on how easy our site is to navigate and place orders
Scott Simpson profile picture
Scott Simpson
3 years ago
I use Flex as a catering software for corporate catering and I would highly recommend it to anyone in the same space. Very easy to use and simple to customise for your own business. The Flex team are quick to respond to queries and happy to add recommendations to their platform. Great business and great software.
Joseph Calnan profile picture
Joseph Calnan
7 years ago
Great software for our small catering company. It has revolutionised the way we work from taking orders online to invoicing. The team at Flex have also been incredibly helpful throughout the whole process and are immediately available if/when we have any issues/questions.
Lauren Hamilton profile picture
Lauren Hamilton
7 years ago
Excellent service and support from the team - great to easily be able to problem solve as needed. Product fits our needs, makes things easy and is simple to use if you have some (small amount) of experience with similar software. A great solution.
Rael Ross profile picture
Rael Ross
7 years ago
Hands down, the best catering software we have ever come across!
Peter Botros profile picture
Peter Botros
7 years ago
Flex Catering was the best business decision we made. It has built consistency within the business and provided transparency for our customers. Now customers can view and order from our online menu. Our staff can easily identify the confirmed orders and print specific production reports for the kitchen and drivers.
Customer support is always online and very helpful. New versions are released every few weeks or so with nice additional features which are always very welcome and helpful.
A big thumbs up to the Flex team :)
Email David profile picture
Email David
7 years ago
Very quick, very good and getting better all the time - great customer experience
John Mulligan profile picture
John Mulligan
7 years ago
Flex catering provide a great personalised service an excellent product that is constantly evolving based on feedback from their clients. Well done.
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