Policies

Policies & Procedures

NKU staff and students orders receive a 7.5% discount, when the order is received at least 5 days in advance.
Please note the following:
• All orders placed for delivery outside of the Student Union must meet a minimum of $70.00. Orders that do not meet the minimum, will be available for pick up in the SU. 
• Market price is applicable where noted with select menu items. Sushi is only available when school is in session. Sushi is NOT available during winter break, spring break or summer break. 

• Prices reflected in the catering guide are for a minimum number of guests (minimums are indicated in each menu section). Additional charges will be added to the per person amount if the order falls below the minimum.
• Pricing varies with the selected menu and the specific requirements of each function. Additional charges will be added to these functions.  For example, if labor intensive set up is required, an additional fee will be applied.
• All catering orders received less than (3) working days prior to the event date will incur late and/or service fees of 10%,20% or 25%.

• Prices are guaranteed three (3) months prior to the event

  • After Hours Fee is added to orders that require staff after 5:00pm M-F, or on the weekends. The fee is 75.00 for weekdays and 200.00 weekends. 

 

Ordering Guidelines and Information

Please follow the guidelines below when placing a catering order. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact NKU Dining  at 859-572-7782. A professional catering representative will be happy to assist you in planning your event. Please have the following information available when arranging your event:
• Date of Event
• Location
• Name of sponsoring department
• Billing name and credit card information
• Type of service - buffet, served , or delivery
• Number of guests
• Service time and length of event. All full service meals are based on 4 hours including set up and beak down. If your event exceeds 4 hours or has special requirements for set up and break down, additional fees may apply.
• Contact information (name, phone, email)
• Budget

Step 1: Reserve your Room

As the host, you are responsible for securing a location or room on campus. Rooms can be booked at rooms.nku.edu. Once the location is confirmed, contact Physical Plant Operations at 859-572-5249 to plan the room set up including all tables and chairs needed for the event (buffet tables, registration tables, guests seating, etc.). For events where building access is limited (i.e. weekends, evenings, or security purposes), it is the responsibility of the department contact person to arrange for catering access to the building and room. The NKU Dining team will need the doors of the event location or room unlocked 1 hour prior to the start time of the event. If requested, your catering representative will offer guidance in the layout of your room including placement of food buffets and guest seating. However, you are responsible to communicate the final room layout to Physical Plant Operations.

Step 2: Contact NKU Dining  by phone or email

Once the event location is booked, place your order by contacting NKU Dining at 859-572-7782. You can also order online at nku.catertrax.com.

Step 3: Contract, Booking Deadlines, Final Guarantee, and Cancellations

All catering events require an approved contract from the contact person with an accepted method of payment. The event is not considered confirmed until contract is confirmed using the Catertrax ordering system.  We recommend the catering order be submitted at least two (2) weeks in advance. For larger more elaborate events, we recommend 30-60 days in advance.
Five (5) days prior to the event, NKU Dining  must be informed of the exact number of guests attending. This number or final guarantee of guests attending is not subject to reduction and is billed accordingly. If no guarantee is received five days prior to the event, the expected attendance shown on the contract will be used as the guarantee. For plated events, we prepare to set and serve an additional 5 plates above the guaranteed number. For all catered events, if the number of event attendees exceeds the final guaranteed count, the sponsor will be billed for the attending number of participants. We are able to accommodate most increases in final counts, but reserve the right to substitute products for the event, due to ordering, scheduling, and food preparation requirements. Changes to your event made after the five (5) business day guarantee will incur additional fees. The fees may include, but are not limited to, late fee, no NKU discount, additional labor and procurement fees that are incurred in order to deliver your selection.

Delayed Service

On the day of your event, if the agreed upon beginning or ending service time of your meal changes by 30 minutes or more, an additional labor charge will apply at a rate of 20% of your total order. 

Cancellations

5 days prior or more to date of event no charge, 3 days prior or less to date of event 50% of estimated total, Less than 24 hours 100% of estimated total. Cancellations for all catering must be sent in writing to the NKU Dining Office. Events cancelled as a result of the University closing for inclement weather or emergency purposes will not incur any charges.

Other areas of consideration:

Service of Alcohol, Bartenders, Set-Up for University Affiliated Events In order for NKU Dining to provide alcohol at an event, you must complete and submit an approved alcoholic beverage event form from the Office of Conference Management two (2) weeks prior to the event. This form (along with instructions and alcohol policies on campus) is available from the Office of Conference Management (859-572-6502). NKU Dining  will not serve alcoholic beverages unless this form has been processed and approved two (2) weeks prior to the event date. NKU Dining, as a licensee, is responsible for the administration of the sale and service of alcoholic beverages in accordance with the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Liquor Authority regulations. NKU Dining will purchase and store beverages for each event. One bartender is provided for every one hundred guests at a charge of $50.00 per hour per bartender with a 4 hour minimum ($200.00). Bar table, linen top, skirting, glassware, ice, are included in the above fee.

Non University Affiliated Events

All of the above applies however an approved event form from NKU Office of Conference Management is not required.

Event Service Charges

The following are included in the per person price for events held in the Student Union. : • Food and beverage items • Linens and table skirting • Disposables, China, glass, and flatware (Upon Request ) • Appropriate number of service staff. All charges are inclusive unless special requests require additional goods or services. All off premise catering (in rooms outside of Student Union) is delivered using disposable service ware. China service can be added to off premise events for an additional $6.00/person. Adequate service staff is provided for each catering event based on industry standards. NKU Dining reserves the right to require additional servers on events with complicated set up or service needs. Additional servers or attendants can be added for off premise events for $50.00 per hour per server (4 hour minimum applies). Bartenders are $50.00 per hour (4 hour minimum applies). All weekend orders have a minimum of 25 people, and $250 minimum per contract.

All external catering events will have added to the sub total an 20% Gratuity/ Admin Fee as well as a delivery fee of no less than 25.00 and no greater than 100.00 for events outside the SU based on the service needs. 

Buffet Service

When planning an event that includes buffet service, please consider table requirements for the buffet service. Floral centerpieces are not part of a buffet service, however they are available at an additional cost. Consult your catering representative for assistance in determining the appropriate amount of space needed. Buffet Service pricing is designed for 12 guests or more. Events with fewer than 12 guests will be priced separately. Please note that for smaller events, the labor cost is the same yet is now applied to fewer people therefore increasing the per person costs associated with the event that decreased in size.  A customized menu is another option for smaller events.

Served Meals (Plated meals)

Standard served meals are priced per person includes; table linens, napkins, essential condiments, and a standard floral centerpiece(s). Additional floral arrangements and select colored linens are available on request, at an additional charge with a minimum of 14 days notice . Consult your catering representative for more information. Additional tables for registration or display can be skirted including a linen top for $15.00 per 6’ table. Served Meal pricing is designed for 24 guests or more. Events with fewer than 24 guests will be priced separately. The labor cost is the same yet is now applied to fewer people therefore increasing the per person costs associated with the event that decreased in size.  A customized menu is another popular option for smaller events.

Delivery Service

All off premise orders (outside the Student Union) over $50.00 will be delivered. All deliveries that are off campus will incur a 25.00- 100.00 delivery fee. Disposable trays, plates, flatware, paper napkins, and service ware will be used for all off premise orders and are included in the price. A catering attendant will be responsible for delivery and pick up of all non-disposable catering equipment. Non-disposable catering equipment is the property of NKU Dining  and is made available to the client during the event. It is the clients responsibility to ensure the equipment is protected and remains in the location during and after the event. Catering items missing from the location upon conclusion will be billed to the client at a rate of 150.00.  

Operating Hours

Normal operating hours for NKU Dining are 7:00 am to 5:00 pm (M-F). Deliveries outside normal operating hours will have an After Hours Fee added. Charges are as follows. $75.00 on weekdays and $200.00 on weekends. 

Service Staff (at private residences)

A 25% service charge will be added to catered events or services at a private residences. As well as a delivery fee outside of the I275 loop. 

Dietary Considerations

NKU Dining  will accommodate special dietary requests for individual guests with three (3) days advance notice.

Exclusive Caterer

Chartwells and NKU Dining have the exclusive right to provide all food and beverage on campus. No food or beverage will be permitted to be brought on campus by the host. guest or invitees without approval from NKU Dining as well as the University Director of Ancillary Services. Contact the Catering Office with any questions. 
 NKU Dining does not recommend left over perishable food to be removed due to food safety issues.  NKU Dining will NOT provide containers "to go" under any circumstance. 

Payment Policy

For NKU personnel events, payment is due in full upon conclusion of the event.  All money due to NKU Dining  will begin to accrue 1.5% interest from the date of the invoice for all sums over 30 days. Off-campus clients must pay 50% when the order is placed and be paid in full the day of the event. 

Sales Tax

All services are subject to a 6% sales tax. Any groups who are tax exempt must submit a copy of their Tax Exemption Certificate to the NKU Dining  office when booking their event.

Northern Class Catering
20 Kenton Dr. SU 122
Highland Heights, KY 41099
859.572.7782