Published: 17.10.2026
The .catering zone is a generic extension for businesses that prepare and serve food for events, offices, weddings and other gatherings. Catering covers everything from a buffet for fifty guests to a weekly lunch delivery for a team, and a name in .catering tells clients at once what the company does. Caterers, event kitchens and food service firms are the usual users. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .catering is still available.
Check if a .catering domain is available .catering Check
A short history
Catering is an old trade, and cooks have prepared meals for large households, armies and festivals for centuries. Today the word describes professional food service at parties, conferences, weddings and workplaces. The .catering extension is a generic ending, so it is open to food businesses in any country. It suits a company whose work comes mainly from bookings for events and regular contracts.
Who runs it
The zone is managed by a registry operator that sets the rules for registration. Registrars sell names and forward orders to the registry, which keeps the central record. Because the name describes a food business, read the operator's acceptable use terms and any rules for your sector before you publish menus or claims.
Rules in practice
- Open registration: generic zones are usually open to businesses and individuals, subject to the operator's conditions.
- Food rules: catering businesses must follow the hygiene, allergen and licensing rules of the place where they cook and serve.
- Name rules: labels use letters, digits and hyphens, and can be no longer than 63 characters.
- Customer data: addresses, guest lists and dietary needs are personal data, so handle them under the data protection rules that apply.
Who uses .catering
- Event caterers who serve weddings, birthdays, corporate dinners and festivals.
- Office and workplace caterers that deliver daily lunches or meeting refreshments.
- Mobile food vendors and food truck operators who work at markets and public events.
- Chefs who run private dining services in clients' homes, where local rules allow it.
Strengths
- The word states the service at once, which helps event planners find the right supplier quickly.
- The name is short and easy to say on the phone or to write on a van or a menu board.
- It suits a company that takes bookings online and wants one address for all enquiries.
Things to keep in mind
- Food business registrations and local hygiene inspections apply in many places, and a domain name does not replace them.
- Allergen information must be accurate and easy to find, because a mistake can cause serious harm.
- Some visitors searching for a dining venue may confuse a caterer with a restaurant, so describe the service clearly.
- Availability and booking deadlines change through the year, so keep them current to avoid disappointed clients.
Tips before you register
- Check the name in .com and on the event platforms and wedding directories where clients look for suppliers.
- Use the registered trading name exactly as it appears on your food business papers.
- Publish menus with allergen information, booking terms and cancellation rules before you take any deposits.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before you send quotes and invoices from the domain.
- Note the renewal date in your diary before the busy season starts, and check that the payment card on file is still valid.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to cater from home? That depends on where you work and what you serve. Many places require registration or permits for food businesses, so check the local rules before you advertise.
Is .catering only for large firms? No. Small caterers, home cooks who serve events and one-person food businesses can use it too.
Does a .catering name help a company appear in local search? It makes the service clear, but reviews from past clients, a complete business profile and accurate service areas carry more weight.
