Overview

CaterZen has three base order types built in: Dine In, Pick Up, and Delivery. Custom Order Types let you create more specific order types that sit underneath one of those three — things like "Full Service Catering", "Catering & Set Up", "Curbside Pick-Up," or "Room Fee"

Custom Order Types appear in the Order Type dropdown during Order Entry, giving your staff and Customers more precise options when placing orders. They also appear on your calendar in the colors you choose, making it easier to see what kind of events you have at a glance.

One of the most useful things you can do with a Custom Order Type is assign it its own Service Fee. When an order uses that order type, its Service Fee applies instead of the Restaurant Location Service Fee.

Catering Scenario: A BBQ catering operation has a standard 5% Location Service Fee for most orders. Their Full Service Catering events warrant an 18% fee. By creating a "Full Service Catering" Custom Order Type with its own 18% Service Fee, the right fee applies automatically based on how the order is categorized — no manual adjustments needed.

Not sure which fee type is right for you? See Understanding Service Fees in CaterZen for a full overview of all Service Fee types and how they work together.

Custom Order Types vs. Base Order Types

Custom Order Types are built on top of a base type, but the base type does not need to be active for the custom type to work. For example, you can create a "Full Service Catering" Custom Order Type under the Delivery base type without having generic "Delivery" appear as an order option.

How to Access

• Go to Admin
• Scroll down to the Global Settings section
• Click Custom Order Types
• Click Create A Custom Order Type

Step-by-step Instructions

Display Name

Enter the name you want to appear in the Order Type dropdown during Order Entry and on the calendar. Keep it clear and specific — your staff will see this when taking orders.

Base Type

Choose whether this order type falls under Dine In, Pick Up, or Delivery. This controls how CaterZen treats the order logistically, such as whether delivery rules and fees apply.

Is Active

Check this box to make the order type available during Order Entry. If unchecked, the order type exists in your settings but will not appear as a choice. You can uncheck this to temporarily hide an order type without deleting it.

Calendar colors

Choose a background and foreground color for how this order type appears on your CaterZen calendar. If you use Google Calendar integration, you can also set a Google Calendar color here.

Service Fee (optional)

Check the Service Fee box if you want this order type to carry its own fee. When checked, additional fields appear:

Fee Amount 

Enter a percentage or flat dollar amount. This fee calculates on the order subtotal only — not on delivery fees or other service fees.

Custom Name (optional): Give the fee a label that makes sense for this order type, like "Full Service Fee" or "Event Fee." Customers will see this name on their order.

Apply tax to Service Fee Check this if the fee should be taxed. Service fee taxability is set globally in your Tax Settings and applies to all service fees in your account.

Important: If a Custom Order Type has a Service Fee enabled, it will override the Restaurant Location Service Fee for orders using that order type. If no Service Fee is set on the Custom Order Type, CaterZen falls back to the Restaurant Location Service Fee (if enabled). 

Customizable Checkout Field (optional)

If this order type requires specific information at checkout, you can add a custom field here. Common examples include Room Number, Delivery Instructions, or Suite Number. You can also make it required so the order cannot be placed without it being filled in.

When finished, click Save Changes.

Reviewing and Managing your Custom Order Types

To see all Custom Order Types you have created, go back to Admin > Global Settings > Custom Order Types and click Existing Custom Order Types. The list shows each order type's display name, base type, whether it is active, and gives you options to edit or delete it.

Important Notes 

• Custom Order Types are global across your account, not per location. An inactive Custom Order Type will not appear in Order Entry but remains in your settings and can be reactivated at any time.
• Deleting a Custom Order Type cannot be undone. If you want to hide it temporarily, uncheck Active instead.
• The Service Fee on a Custom Order Type overrides the Restaurant Location Service Fee. They do not stack.

Next steps

After creating your Custom Order Types, place a test order in Order Entry to confirm the order type appears in the dropdown and the correct fee is applied. If you want to recover costs based on payment method on top of your service fees, look into the Catering Packaging Fee.

Related Articles

• Understanding Service Fees in CaterZen
• Restaurant Locations: Restaurant Service Fees
• Global Settings: Setting Up the Catering Packaging Fee