There are three main types of caterers which include:

• Mobile Caterers
• Hotel/Restaurant Caterers
• Private Caterers
  

Caterers of each type meet a variety of needs for their clients. Note that in some cases, dietary and religious needs may play a part in the event being catered and need to be carefully observed.

Mobile Caterers - will often be found at a fair, a street corner, a food and drink trailer at a construction site, in a shopping mall kiosk or food court, and sometimes in the lobbies of some businesses. These types of Caterers offer pre-packaged items ranging from sandwiches to salads and may even deliver meals for business clientele too busy to leave their office for lunch.

Hotel/Restaurant Caterers - are often liaisons between the client and the kitchen staff, planning events. Their responsibilities include menu preparation, banquet arrangement, table set-up, and delivery of decorations, as well as arranging for extra service personnel as needed.

Private Caterers - own their own businesses, contracting vendors as needed. These Caterers are often hired for wedding receptions, birthday parties, business and personal anniversaries, business holiday events, and retirement parties, as well as many other events. They are responsible for all aspects of each occasion including menus, plate and dinnerware rental, and arranging for the appropriate wait staff. They are also often responsible for arranging a clean-up crew to come in after the event has ended.