28 Catering Survey Questions to Boost Your Event Feedback

Discover 25 insightful catering survey questions to boost your event feedback, improve service quality, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Catering Survey Questions template

heysurvey.io

Looking for the ultimate guide to catering survey questions so you can stop guessing and start improving?

Whether you’re chasing raving testimonials or just hoping nobody remembers the time you served mystery meat, feedback is your secret weapon.

Catering surveys help you understand guest satisfaction, sharpen your menu, and stack the odds for repeat bookings with the right online survey tool.

You’ll hear people searching for things like:

  • “catering survey template”

  • “food and beverage survey questions”

  • “catering feedback”

Use these surveys before, during, or after events so you get input when it matters most.

On top of that, you’ll get ready-to-use question sets, templates, and a hit list of dos and don’ts right here.

Introduction: Why and When to Use Catering Survey Questions

Collecting catering feedback can turn your next event from good to unforgettable.

When you use catering surveys, you give clients and guests a quick way to tell you what they loved (and what totally missed the mark).

These simple tools are incredibly powerful because they keep your menus trending, your staff sharp, and your business booked solid, and if someone Googles “catering feedback” or “food and beverage survey questions,” you know they are hungry for the exact insights you will capture with these surveys.

You can gauge preferences and expectations three key times:

  • Before the event to spot allergies, taste preferences, and set the stage for success.

  • During the event for real-time food and beverage survey questions that allow on-the-fly fixes.

  • After the event when impressions are fresh, for honest reviews and that sweet, sweet catering survey testimonial.

Practical templates, common mistakes, and creative prompts are just ahead in this guide, and you might be surprised how quickly your catering survey approach levels up.

On top of that, you may even have a little fun while you do it, which is always a nice side dish.

“Catering feedback and post-event surveys in hospitality typically achieve response rates of just 10,25%, underscoring the challenge of capturing guest insights.”
Source (skeepers.io)

catering survey questions example

How to Create a Survey with HeySurvey: Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating your own survey with HeySurvey is quick and user-friendly, even if you’ve never used our platform before. Just follow these three steps:

Step 1: Create or Select a Survey Template

Start by clicking the “Start from Template” button below. This will open a survey template tailored to your needs, saving time on question design and structure. Alternatively, if you prefer to build from scratch, choose “Empty Sheet” after opening HeySurvey. You can also try the “Text Input Creation” option to quickly draft questions as plain text.

Once the template opens, you’ll be in the Survey Editor where you can view and edit your survey’s title and questions.

Step 2: Add and Customize Questions

To tailor the survey to your goals, click Add Question at the top or between existing questions. Choose from a variety of question types such as multiple-choice, scale, text, or file upload. Edit question text, add descriptions, or mark questions as required. You can insert images from your device, Giphy, or Unsplash to make your survey more engaging. Rearrange or duplicate questions easily for efficient editing. If needed, use branching to skip certain questions based on previous answers for a more personalized respondent experience.

Step 3: Preview and Publish Your Survey

Once your questions are set, click Preview to test the survey as a respondent would see it. When satisfied, click Publish. You’ll be prompted to create a free HeySurvey account if you haven’t already. After publishing, you'll get a shareable survey link or an embed code for your website.


Bonus Steps

  • Apply Your Branding: Open the Designer Sidebar to change colors, fonts, and upload your logo for a professional look.
  • Adjust Survey Settings: In the Settings panel, define start/end dates, response limits, completion redirect, and result viewing options.
  • Add Branches or Multiple Endings: Use advanced logic to skip questions or show custom completion messages based on answers for complex survey flows.

Ready to begin? Click the button below to open your template and start customizing with our online survey maker!

Post-Event Catering Satisfaction Survey

A post-event catering satisfaction survey form is your ticket to candid, actionable insights.

Why & When to Use

You can treat this survey like your event encore, because once the excitement dies down, your client’s memory is still sharp and full of flavors, faces, and little details. Send this survey about 12 to 24 hours after serving for perfect timing for weddings, corporate luncheons, or charity galas.

This is prime time for post-event feedback.

Here’s the thing:

  • Impressions are fresh, so you’ll capture honest feedback before memories blur.
  • Responses spotlight what worked perfectly (and what needs fixing for your next proposal).
  • High praise is gold for testimonials, and even flaws give you a leg up in future pitches.

Plus, this is where you’ll really see the ROI from your investment in catering satisfaction survey questions.

5 Sample Questions

  1. On a scale of 1,10, how satisfied were you with the overall catering experience?
  2. Which menu item was the highlight for you, and why?
  3. How would you rate the professionalism of the catering staff?
  4. Did the food temperature meet your expectations throughout the event?
  5. Would you hire or recommend our catering services again?

These simple questions dig into what really mattered to your guests.

Honest answers to these questions on your catering survey form can reveal hidden strengths and small hiccups alike, so you can keep what works and fix what flops next time.

Sending post‑event catering satisfaction surveys within 24,48 hours yields the most accurate and actionable feedback while impressions are still fresh source (supersurvey.com)

On-Site Real-Time Food & Beverage Feedback Survey

Food and beverage survey questions used during the event can make your service sharper than a chef’s knife.

Why & When to Use

Picture this: you’re catering a conference, and suddenly someone notices the chicken wings are gone, so you need a way to catch the problem before guests sneak out for takeout. With an on-site survey (think QR code on napkins or an iPad at the buffet), you spot issues in time to fix them while people are still in line.

This kind of real-time feedback helps you stay one step ahead of hungry guests.

This real-time feedback works wonders for:

  • Events with moving targets, such as all-day seminars, conferences, and festivals.

  • Pinpointing trouble spots, from missing appetizers to a lukewarm soup scandal.

  • Boosting satisfaction, because you show guests their opinion matters, even mid-bite.

Plus, when you react to live feedback on food catering, you look a little bit like a mind reader with a spatula.

5 Sample Questions

  1. How fresh is the food you just received?

  2. Is the food temperature acceptable right now?

  3. Do you feel wait times at the buffet or food station are reasonable?

  4. Are there menu items you haven’t been able to locate?

  5. Rate the clarity of allergen labels (1,5).

Use these on-site questions and you turn quick check-ins into powerful improvements.

Nail these on-site surveys, and your event can run smoother than your best chocolate mousse.

Corporate Catering Order Feedback Survey

Your catering customer satisfaction survey is your secret weapon for steady, recurring business.

Why & When to Use

When you’re feeding hungry teams week after week, every detail matters for you and your clients.

Here's the thing, after a large office order, feedback from executive assistants or office managers can mean:

  • Fine-tuning recurring menus so everyone from interns to CEOs is delighted.

  • Smoothing out delivery and setup so it does not interrupt anyone’s brainstorm sessions.

  • Unlocking upsell opportunities, because clients trust caterers who listen.

On top of that, these insights guide you closer to contract renewals. Nothing says “please sign again” like you genuinely acting on suggestions from your catering customer satisfaction survey.

5 Sample Questions

Use focused questions so you get feedback you can actually act on.

  1. How accurately did our delivery window align with your requested time?
  2. Were the portion sizes appropriate for your team?
  3. Which cuisine themes would you like to see next month?
  4. Rate the clarity of our online ordering platform.
  5. What prevented today’s service from being a perfect 10?

Plus, the answers will shape your future offerings as you become the office hero no one knew they needed.

In hospitality, including corporate catering settings, typical digital survey response rates range from approximately 10% to 25% (clootrack.com)

Wedding Catering Experience Survey

Your catering survey questions are the secret ingredient to sweet newlywed reviews.

Why & When to Use

Weddings are emotional, memorable, and, let’s be real, a little chaotic. You helped someone’s big day go off (mostly) without a hitch, but did the cake steal the show or did a rogue sauce attack the dress?

Here’s the thing, this survey rocks because:

  • Couples and planners are eager to share what wowed them and flag deal breakers once the last song fades.

  • Reviews collected here are social proof gold for bridal platforms, where new clients shop with their eyes and their stomachs.

  • You gain clear feedback on everything from bartending skills to the vegan entrée everyone actually loved.

Send this survey 3 to 5 days post-reception, when the couple has caught their breath but still remembers every delicious detail.

You can time this survey perfectly to capture fresh, honest feedback.

5 Sample Questions

  1. How well did the tasting reflect the actual wedding-day menu?

  2. Did the service staff accommodate special dietary requests effectively?

  3. How fair did you find the bar package pricing?

  4. What compliments or complaints did guests share with you about the food?

  5. Would you feature us in your wedding vendor reviews or listings?

On top of that, you can use the best responses in future pitches, and you’ll be the toast of the wedding season.

You can turn rave responses into the kind of proof that books your next wedding.

Tournament & Sports Event Vendor Experience Survey

Your tournament food vendor experience survey can turn hungry crowds into loyal fans.

Why & When to Use

From charity runs to major tournaments, you host events with diverse eaters and super-sized appetites, and nothing kills the mood faster than waiting forever for cold nachos.

This survey helps you:

  • Measure satisfaction with vendor selection, so you know if guests wanted fancier fare or just more popcorn.

  • Identify crowd-flow issues, so you can tweak layouts and vendor mix next time.

  • Uncover revenue opportunities from unserved cravings or missing food types.

On top of that, this feedback boosts your future event planning and helps you coach your vendors so they deliver stronger results and fewer sad snacks.

5 Sample Questions

  1. How satisfied were you with the variety of food vendors available?
  2. Rate the average wait time at your chosen vendor.
  3. Did menu pricing feel fair for a sporting event?
  4. Were healthy or allergen-friendly options readily available?
  5. What single change would most improve the food experience next year?

One bite of feedback from your tournament food vendor experience survey can completely shift your event’s momentum in the right direction.

Menu Development & Tasting Survey

Menu tasting surveys are like a crystal ball for your next signature dish, only with more napkins.

Why & When to Use

Before you launch new menu items, you need honest palates, not just polite “mmms” from people who already love you.

Use this survey during tastings, pop-ups, or chef’s table sneak peeks to figure out what truly resonates with your guests.

A well-crafted tasting survey helps you fine-tune dishes before they hit the spotlight.

A well-crafted tasting survey lets you:

  • Pre-test flavors and visuals with your target guests, not just the kitchen crew.

  • Avoid rolling out duds and focus on what really delights.

  • Collect suggestions that spark innovation or save you money by skipping unpopular ingredients.

Plus, when you slurp up smart feedback during tastings, you set yourself up for more sell-outs and fewer sad leftovers at the end of the day.

5 Sample Questions

Use clear, focused questions so guests can steer you toward your next hit dish.

  1. Which appetizer would you be most excited to see at an event?

  2. Rate the seasoning balance of the entrée you tried.

  3. What flavor profile felt missing from the selection?

  4. Would you replace any dish? If so, which and why?

  5. Does the presentation meet your expectations for a premium event?

On top of that, your next crowd favorite might already be hiding in someone’s answer, just waiting for you to spot it.

Repeat Customer Loyalty & Net Promoter Score (NPS) Survey

Loyalty surveys keep your customers coming back for seconds (and thirds).

Why & When to Use

Not every client orders only for special occasions.

Some need breakfast burritos on Tuesdays and salad bars on Fridays, so how do you keep these regulars coming back?

A quarterly pulse check tells you if you’re:

  • Still delighting your best buyers, or if competitors are starting to look tempting.

  • Finding opportunities to surprise and upgrade loyal clients (think loyalty perks).

  • Tracking your Net Promoter Score (NPS), which reveals how likely clients are to recommend your catering.

On top of that, loyalty surveys fuel your referral marketing plans and let you course-correct before clients disappear like the last cookie on the dessert tray.

5 Sample Questions

  1. On a scale from 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend our catering to a colleague?

  2. How well do our rotating menus keep your team engaged?

  3. Which competitor have you considered recently, and why?

  4. What new service would enhance your ongoing catering experience?

  5. How satisfied are you with our customer support response time?

Keep the dialogue open and you’ll enjoy a steady stream of rave repeat business.

Internal Staff Catering Service Quality Survey (In-House Cafeterias)

Smart questions for event catering in your staff cafeteria can transform lunchtime forever.

Why & When to Use

Cafeterias are not just for quick snacks anymore, because they are part of the daily work experience and can boost employee happiness in a big way.

Here’s the thing, when you gather feedback from regular diners, you can quickly spot what to improve and what to celebrate.

Here’s why this kind of survey helps you:

  • Employees feel heard and start looking forward to what is cooking.

  • Nutrition managers and kitchen staff can tweak menus, cleanliness, and speed.

  • HR teams can spot trends or wellness needs, like more vegetarian fare or less mystery meat.

Plus, your organization can happily brag about actually listening to staff requests and acting on them.

5 Sample Questions

  1. How would you rate today’s entrée variety?

  2. Are vegetarian/vegan options sufficiently available each day?

  3. Is the dining area clean and adequately stocked with utensils?

  4. Does the pricing represent good value for employees?

  5. What theme days or cuisines would you like to see next month?

Everyone wins when your cafeteria serves not just food, but great feedback too.

Best Practices: Dos and Don’ts for Crafting Catering Survey Questions

Getting catering survey questions right helps you turn crickets into useful, actionable feedback.

Here’s the thing: you get great survey responses when timing, tools, and incentives all work together for you.

  • Send it at the right moment: after a meal, during the event, or quarterly for loyal customers.

  • Pick the right format: email for post-event feedback, QR code or tablet for live feedback, and a quick link for routine orders.

  • Offer a little incentive: a discount, raffle, or even spotlighting guests’ favorite comments.

Do keep things short and sweet so your guests are not stuck writing a novel when they just wanted dessert.

  • Mix rating scales with open-ended questions for the richest answers.

  • Personalize by event type so your questions feel tailored, not generic.

  • Use clear language for allergen info and dietary needs.

On top of that, do not use leading or confusing wording that nudges guests toward a certain answer because that ruins your data.

  • Avoid sensitive data since no one is eager to hand over their grandma’s secret recipe.

  • Never send a survey without testing its look and feel on mobile.

  • Do not ignore feedback unless you want to watch your repeat business vanish.

Now you are ready to craft a memorable catering survey! Download your free catering survey template and share those sparkling results with your clients and staff so everyone can see what is working.

Plus, when feedback sizzles, repeat bookings and rave reviews are just the beginning of what you can cook up.

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