Ordering for UChicago groups
Catering orders from UChicago groups.
Once enough restaurants join, clubs, labs and departments order from your catering menu on Pool. You accept by email, cook, and deliver or hand it over at your counter.
- Free to join
- No Pool fee through Dec 31, 2026
- No tablet
Join once. Orders come by email.
Tell us who you are
Name, address, phone.
Check the menu we built
Fix anything with one tap.
Get orders by email
Accept, cook, and get paid after the event.
Rather we set it up for you? Tell us your restaurant
Pool Catering
New Pool order: 30 people, Fri Nov 6, 12:00 PM
The Chess Club ordered from you on Pool. Tap Confirm order to confirm it, or Can't do it so we can tell them.
- Ready by
- 11:35 AM
- People
- 30
- 1×Chicken shawarma, full tray
- 1×Hummus, half tray
- 1×Shepherd's salad, full tray
Pick how groups find you.
A catering deal puts you higher on the list and in Pool's promotions to UChicago clubs. Or stay listed with no discount.
Featured
Recommended20% off
orders of $250 or more
- Shown first among restaurants that fit a group's search
- Deal badge in Deals right now
- In Pool's promotions to clubs
Deal
15% off
orders of $250 or more
- Deal badge in Deals right now
- In Pool's promotions to clubs
- Shown after Featured among restaurants that fit
Listed
No deal
You're on Pool
- Groups can find you by searching your name or food
- Not in Pool's promotions to clubs
You only give it when an order comes in. Change it anytime.
No Pool fee through Dec 31, 2026.
- You pay the card processing fee on the order total, 2.9% plus 30 cents.
- Free to join.
- No tablet to rent. Orders come by email.
See the mathOne order on Pool next to ezCater and DoorDash, from their public fee schedules.
On Pool, per order
$16.40
$65.60 a month at 4 orders. That is only the card fee.
No Pool fee through Dec 31, 2026.
On ezCater Marketplace, per order
$91.59
$366.36 a month at 4 orders.
Pool
$16.40 per order
- Pool fee: none on orders placed through Dec 31, 2026 = $0.00
- Card processing, at Stripe's cost: 2.9% × $555.00 food, delivery and tax + $0.30 = $16.40
ezCater Marketplace
$91.59 per order
- Commission: 15% × $500.00 food and delivery fee = $75.00
- Payment processing: 2.99% × $555.00 food, delivery and tax = $16.59
Commission is charged on the delivery fee too.
DoorDash Basic
$75.00 per order
- Commission, processing included: 15% × $500.00 food = $75.00
DoorDash publishes no separate catering rate.
DoorDash Plus
$125.00 per order
- Commission, processing included: 25% × $500.00 food = $125.00
DoorDash publishes no separate catering rate.
DoorDash Premier
$150.00 per order
- Commission, processing included: 30% × $500.00 food = $150.00
DoorDash publishes no separate catering rate.
Tax on $500.00 of food at 11% is $55.00. Tips are left out. DoorDash plans are for regular delivery orders and DoorDash publishes no catering rate. Fee schedules read 2026-10-18:
Questions
Do we have to offer a discount?
No. Listed is free and has no discount: groups can find you and order. A catering deal, 15% or 20% off orders of $250 or more, puts you higher on the list and in Pool's promotions to clubs. You only give it when an order comes in, and you can change it anytime.
Who pays the card fees?
You pay card costs of 2.9% plus 30 cents on the order total, tax included. For orders paid by bank transfer or invoice, Stripe's bank fee is 0.5% of the order, up to $5. If a group cancels less than 24 hours before the event, the group pays the card fee only on the money it pays, and Pool pays the rest.
Who delivers?
You do, or groups pick up from you: pick which in your rules. When you deliver, you keep the whole delivery fee.
How do orders reach us?
By email. Open it, check the order and tap Confirm order, no login needed. You get a prep sheet and tray labels for every order.
Do we have to type in our menu?
No. Pool builds your page from your own menu and website, then you check it on your phone and agree.
Do we need to add our bank right away?
No. You can add it later. Your payouts wait for you until it is added.
When do we get paid?
After the order is marked complete, or a day after the event, unless the group reports a problem.
What does our own Pool link do?
Share your link and QR card with groups you cater for. Your QR card is ready to print once you join.
What if a group cancels?
If a group cancels less than 24 hours before the event, you keep 25% of the food price.
