^ When someone wants the first comment that is guaranteed likes.

Can't they sue for that? I don't know how it works since i work in an ice cream store. But if a group or person orders something expensive and time consuming then they should pay a certain % or the whole thing. And since it's a function did they pay for reservations beforehand?

A lot of times in my restaurant when we book larger parties, they'll write out a contract and have a credit card on file to prevent such situations. I REALLY hope OP had something like this in place so they at least get paid for all that work.

#44 for events that big my old place charged up front, price per head

Sorry hit the thumb down instead of up by mistake

well they paid like a 10% deposit for it all but the problem is that it barely covers the food cost and all the labour that'd been put in for the last 4 days

I would still make them pay for the effort, canceling last minute like that is a dick move, and I work in the restaurant industry so I know how hard it is.

That sucks I hope they had to pay a large cancellation few.

They should have to pay for everything; y'all already bought / cooked / played the food, and there's no time to get another client to replace them.

Most countries actually have civil laws that deal with this type of stuff. They generally state something like "stepping away from a contract requires a valid reason". Doing so without such a reason, especially such a short time prior to the event, usually results in valid claims of damage compensation, the height of which can vary based on the specific country. [Here in Germany, you'd be able to demand the production costs for the food, including materials, manhours, electricity etc., but not including a notable profit margin.