At a glance
Once your locations meet ezCater’s onboarding requirements and your application is approved, onboarding typically follows this flow:
Account setup
ezCater creates your Marketplace listing(s) and Partner Portal account for each approved location
Access to your Portal
You receive instructions to sign into your Partner Portal at partnerportal.ezcater.com or via the ezCater for Restaurants iOS/Android app
The Partner Portal is your catering management software: it’s where you accept orders, assign drivers or request Dispatch, monitor operational metrics, and manage store settings
Your account creation includes acceptance of our Terms & Conditions
Configuration & training
You or your corporate team configure hours, lead times, capacity limits, closures, and notifications
You can use ezCater’s Training Resources to educate your teams on ezCater's processes and technology
Go‑live
Once your menu, settings, and users are in place, your stores appear on the ezCater Marketplace and you can begin accepting orders through your Portal
Step‑by‑step: From approval to first order
Step 1: Confirm access to the Partner Portal
For each location:
Make sure you can log in to the Parter Portal on web or mobile
If you need login help or account creation, contact [email protected] or call 1‑800‑488‑1803
Step 2: Add users and turn on notifications
In the Partner Portal:
Add the right users (GMs, catering leads, shift leaders) and set their permissions in Settings → Users
Turn on text (SMS), email, and/or app push notifications so someone is always alerted when a new order arrives
Recommended: have multiple Partner Portal users with notifications enabled to avoid missed orders
Step 3: Set hours, lead times, and closures
Configure your store settings before you go live:
Set your true prep and pickup/delivery hours in your Portal so customers can only order when you can fulfill
This is the minimum notice you need for new orders
ezCater recommends starting with a lead time of 12-24 hours
Lead time can also be set as a "day-before cutoff time", the time of day by which all orders for the next day must be submitted
Turn on holiday closures for major holidays so you don’t receive orders when you’re closed
Use temporary closures if you need to pause orders for a few hours or days (maintenance, private events, etc.)
Step 4: Configure capacity and delivery
In Settings, set a daily capacity limit so you don’t exceed your kitchen’s capacity
When you accept your maximum number of orders, you will be asked via pop to set a temporary closure or continue receiving orders
Delivery setup
Decide when you’ll self‑deliver and when you’ll use Dispatch
Choose your delivery settings to establish delivery fees and minimums for customers
Use Dispatch for extra coverage instead of rejecting orders when you don’t have a driver — it can be requested up to 90 minutes before the event time and can deliver up to 20 miles away (in most metros)
Step 5: Learn the order flow and reconfirmation
Jump to Order Lifecycle & Notifications to learn the standard flow
Recommended starting settings for operational success
The table below summarizes recommended parameters to set when you first go live, based on ezCater’s reliability and operational best practices.
Area | Recommended starting setting | Why it matters |
Delivery settings | 10% of order subtotal, $50-$75 minimum, 10 mile delivery radius | Conservative settings will help encourage customers to place orders and set you up for operational success |
Delivery coverage | Plan for self‑delivery plus Dispatch backup | Avoids rejecting orders for lack of drivers; Dispatch can often cover with 90 minutes notice and up to 20 miles. |
Lead time | Start with 12-24 hours; only lower once your team is comfortable | A conservative lead time reduces rushed prep and prevents rejections and cancellations while you’re ramping up. |
Daily capacity limit | Turn on capacity limits in Settings; set a realistic daily cap | Helps you avoid overbooking and prevents last‑minute rejections when your kitchen is full. |
Holiday closures | Enable closures for major holidays before they arrive | Prevents unexpected orders on days you’re closed and avoids avoidable rejections or cancellations. |
Temporary closures | Use Temporary Closure for maintenance, staffing gaps, big events | Lets you quickly block new orders during short‑term disruptions while keeping the store live otherwise. |
Notifications & users | Multiple users with SMS + email + app alerts turned on | Reduces the risk of missed orders and late acceptance; automate coverage across managers and shifts. |
Menu reliability | Keep your menu streamlined, accurate, and up‑to‑date | Reduces rejections/cancellations due to 86’d items or menu discrepancies; update via the Portal when needed. |
This article outlines the onboarding process for new restaurant partners. If you already have an account and need to add another location, read here to learn how
Additional Resources
Training Courses