The Only Chicago Caterer With an On-Time Or It’s Free Guarantee
Your reputation is on the line. We back ours with a promise no other caterer will make.
What’s Really at Stake When Your Caterer Fails
The Late Arrival
Your CEO’s lunch meeting starts in 5 minutes. No food. Guests arriving. You’re making excuses. The caterer isn’t answering their phone.
The Empty Tray
Halfway through your event, the main course runs out. VIP guests are still hungry. You’re scrambling to apologize. The damage is done.
The Reheated Disappointment
The food arrives on time — but it’s lukewarm, bland, clearly mass-produced. Your guests notice. They won’t say anything. They’ll just remember.
Not All Caterers Are the Same
Most catering companies operate the same way — and it shows. Here’s how we’re different.
| Factor | Typical Caterers | Frato’s Catering |
|---|---|---|
| On-Time Guarantee | ❌ No guarantee. “Traffic happens.” | ✅ More than 15 min late = 100% free. Written policy. |
| Food Quantity | ❌ Order what you get. Run out? Too bad. | ✅ 10% overage prepared at no extra cost. |
| Food Preparation | Factory-prepped, reheated on arrival | Scratch-made daily by trained chefs |
| Who Shows Up | Temp workers, rotating crews | Your assigned personal chef |
| Communication | Days to respond, voicemail tag | Same-day response, direct contact |
| Pricing | “Request a quote” — hidden fees later | Published pricing, no surprise charges |
| Quality Proof | Trust our photos | Visit our restaurant. Taste it yourself. |
| Halal & Dietary | ❌ Limited or unavailable | ✅ Halal (supplier-certified), Indian, Korean, GF |
Our Four-Part Guarantee
On-Time Or It’s Free
If we arrive more than 15 minutes past your scheduled delivery time, you don’t pay a dime. Not a discount — free. This applies to every order, every time. Requires the correct address and access details listed on your quote.
Quantity Guarantee
We prepare 10% more food than your headcount requires — at no additional charge. Running out of food is not an option at your event.
Freshness Guarantee
Every dish is scratch-made in our kitchen by trained chefs. No factory bags. No frozen trays. No mystery ingredients. Real food, prepared that day.
Satisfaction Guarantee
Not happy? Contact us within 24 hours. We’ll make it right — credit, remake, or refund. Your satisfaction matters more than any single transaction.
Why We Can Make These Guarantees (And Others Can’t)
These aren’t marketing gimmicks. Our guarantees are backed by how we actually operate.
Chef-Run, Not Temp-Staffed
Our culinary apprenticeship trains real chefs. The same people cook your food and serve your event.
Scratch Kitchen
We own a restaurant. We cook from scratch every day. Catering is an extension of what we already do.
Local & Focused
We serve Chicagoland. We know the routes, the traffic, the venues. We’re your neighbors.
40+ Years Experience
We’ve catered thousands of events. We know what can go wrong — and we’ve built systems to prevent it.
What Our Clients Say About Reliability
“Frato’s has catered our corporate lunches for over two years. Never once late. Never once ran short on food. That kind of consistency is rare.”
— Office Manager
Schaumburg Tech Company
“We had 150 guests and tight timing. Frato’s was set up 30 minutes early. The food was incredible and there was plenty for everyone.”
— Sarah M.
Wedding Client
“After getting burned by another caterer who showed up late, we switched to Frato’s. Their guarantee gave us confidence. Their execution exceeded it.”
— Event Coordinator
Arlington Heights Corp
Guarantee FAQs
What happens if Frato’s Catering is late?
If we arrive more than 15 minutes past your scheduled delivery time, your entire order is free. No questions asked, no excuses. This is our On-Time Or It’s Free Guarantee.
Do other Chicago caterers offer an on-time guarantee?
Most Chicago caterers do not offer any delivery guarantee. Frato’s is the only suburban Chicago caterer with a written On-Time Or It’s Free policy. We stand behind our reliability because we know your reputation depends on it.
How does Frato’s ensure there’s enough food?
We prepare 10% more food than your headcount requires — at no extra charge. Running out of food at your event is not an option. If your guest count increases last-minute, call us and we’ll adjust.
What does scratch-made catering mean?
Scratch-made means every dish is prepared fresh in our kitchen by trained chefs — not reheated from factory-produced bags or frozen trays. We make our sauces, marinate our proteins, and prepare sides from raw ingredients daily.
What if I’m not satisfied with the food quality?
Contact us within 24 hours of your event. We’ll make it right — whether that means a credit toward your next event or a refund. Your satisfaction matters more than any single transaction.
Can I taste the food before booking?
Yes. Visit Frato’s Kitchen, our restaurant in Schaumburg, to taste our cooking firsthand. Or schedule a tasting for larger events. We want you confident before you commit.
Does the guarantee apply to full-service events?
Yes. Our On-Time Guarantee applies to both drop-off delivery and full-service catered events. For full-service events, our chef and team will arrive with adequate setup time before your guests arrive.
What areas does Frato’s Catering serve?
We serve the entire Chicago metropolitan area including Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Naperville, Oak Brook, Northbrook, Elk Grove Village, Palatine, Hoffman Estates, and downtown Chicago. Our On-Time Guarantee applies to all service areas.
“I stand behind every event we cater. Our guarantee isn’t a marketing trick — it’s my personal commitment that we’ll show up on time, with enough food, prepared fresh. If we don’t deliver, you don’t pay. It’s that simple.”
Mike
Owner, Frato’s Personal Chef Catering
Ready to Work With a Caterer You Can Trust?
Request a quote and experience the Frato’s difference. Every event backed by our four-part guarantee.
Serving Chicagoland
Never Factory Food
At Every Event
Supplier-Certified
More than 15 min late = Free