Overview
A BEO (Banquet Event Order) is the operational document your team uses to execute a catering event. It brings together event details, food and beverages, staffing, rentals, timelines, and notes into one printable or shareable report.
In CaterZen, BEOs are built from templates and then applied to individual orders. Some information is pulled automatically from the order, while other sections are filled in or adjusted per event.
This article explains how BEOs work, where the information comes from, and what setup is required before you start using them.
How BEOs Work in CaterZen
BEOs follow a simple two-step flow:
Create one or more BEO Templates
Templates control the layout, sections, and fields that appear on the BEO.Apply a template to an order
When applied, the BEO pulls data from the order and allows you to customize details specific to that event.
Templates are reusable. You can create different templates for different event types, locations, or service styles.
What Information Appears on a BEO
A BEO can include the following sections. Some are automatically populated, while others are completed manually.
Pulled From the Order
Customer and Company information
Event details (date, time, guest count, order type)
Venue information (from Venue Manager)
Food and Beverage items
Pull Sheet items
Rentals added to the order
Completed or Edited on the BEO
Event timeline
General notes
Staffing assignments
Extra or custom sections
Signatures and terms
Images or diagrams
Not every section is required. Templates can be customized to include only what your team needs.
One-Time Setup vs. Per-Order Tasks
Understanding what needs to be set up once versus what is handled per order will save time and prevent confusion.
One-Time Setup
These steps are typically completed during initial setup:
Create BEO Templates
Set up staffing positions and assign employees
Create rental items in Menu Manager
Once completed, these settings can be reused for future orders.
Per-Order Tasks
These steps happen for each event:
Apply a BEO template to the order
Review and adjust event details
Add timelines, staffing, and notes
Print or email the final BEO
Common BEO-Related Setup Areas
BEOs pull information from several areas of CaterZen. If something is missing from your BEO, it usually needs to be set up in one of these places:
BEO Templates control layout and sections
Venue Manager supplies venue details
Menu Manager/Kitchen Production Formulas controls food, pull sheets, and rental items
Employee Management controls staffing options
Each of these areas is covered in its own article for step-by-step guidance.
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Support
For additional help, refer to the CaterZen Support Center or contact our CaterZen Support Team.
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