General terms and conditions and privacy policy (DE)

1. Scope of application

These General Terms and Conditions apply to contracts between 

SV Business Catering GmbH or 

SV Care Catering GmbH or

Coavia GmbH & Co KG (hereinafter referred to as “SV”) 

and the customer (hereinafter the “Customer”) 

for the provision of catering services (including all related services and deliveries) by SV at the Customer’s events, such as recurring deliveries of fruit and/or bread and pastry baskets or platters, conference and breaktime catering and/or catering at Customer events, in particular banquets, seminars, conferences, company parties, receptions, etc., in instances where

1. the function rooms (especially restaurants, conference rooms and banquet halls) are provided by SV;
2. the function rooms are provided by the Customer;

3. the function rooms are provided by a third party.

    

SV delivers exclusively based on these General Terms and Conditions. Any deviating terms and conditions, especially the Customer’s General Terms and Conditions, are only valid if this has been agreed explicitly on a case-by-case basis.

Individual arrangements in the event contract/quote take precedence over these General Terms and Conditions – especially in the event of any conflict between the individual arrangements and the General Terms and Conditions – and are therefore to be agreed separately and added to the event contract/quote as an individual arrangement.

If and to the extent that there is a contract between SV and the Customer in individual cases (hereinafter referred to as the Catering Service Contract) on the basis of which the services specified in the individual order are to be rendered, the provisions of the Catering Service Contract shall take precedence over these General Terms and Conditions, in particular in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Catering Service Contract and these General Terms and Conditions.

2. Conclusion of the contract

1. If the order is placed via an online shop operated by SV in an individual case, SV will either provide a detailed catering quote based on the information provided by the Customer in the online shop or confirm to the Customer the order made in the online shop (e.g. when ordering a fruit basket). If necessary, the Customer will confirm its acceptance of the quote to SV electronically or in writing after coordinating and adjusting the individual points of the specific quote and thereby place the order. Accordingly, the details of the agreement between the Customer and SV are set out in the electronic or written order confirmation, including any annexes attached in individual cases, whereby the annexes form components of the contract between the parties.

If the Customer does not provide confirmation within the period set by SV, the quote loses its validity.

2. If the Customer’s request is made in writing (including by email), verbally or by telephone, the transmission of the event contract/quote by SV is always subject to change, unless expressly stated otherwise in the event contract/quote. The commissioning of SV with the provision of catering services shall only become binding once the event contract/quote has been confirmed in writing by SV and the Customer. 

   Accordingly, the details of the agreement between the Customer and SV are set out in the electronic or written order confirmation, including any annexes attached in individual cases, whereby the annexes form components of the contract between the parties.

   If the Customer does not provide confirmation within the period set by SV, the quote loses its validity.

    

3. In urgent cases, an agreement made verbally or via telephone shall also be binding. In such instances, SV will provide written confirmation with reference to the event contract/quote. 

    

4. If and to the extent that a lease is established through the provision of the function rooms, inventory and other areas, these leased items may not be sublet or let to other parties.

    

5. If it becomes apparent after conclusion of the contract that the event commissioned by the Customer threatens to jeopardize the smooth running of SV’s business, its security or its reputation, SV may unilaterally terminate the contract. In particular, this is the case if the Customer does not provide SV with sufficient or truthful information about the true purpose of the event when it engages SV.

6. In the cases referred to in sections 2 c) and 2 e), email shall satisfy the written form requirement.

3. Significant services provided by SV/staff/service adjustment/price adjustment

1. The nature and scope of the services to be provided by SV are primarily based on the event contract/quote agreed in writing with the Customer in accordance with section 2 above.

    

   SV undertakes to provide the catering with care. SV will strive to provide the catering in good time and to the Customer’s utmost satisfaction. The food and drink selection process will place an emphasis on impeccable quality.

    

2. Insofar as no other written agreements have been made, SV will provide the following services:

aa) Production and distribution of food and drink. The production and distribution of food and drink includes in particular the proper and professional production of food and drink by service personnel.

bb) Service and waitstaff

“Service and waitstaff” includes the provision of service personnel to the extent necessary. SV is responsible for scheduling in this regard, unless SV and the Customer have agreed otherwise in writing.

3. SV shall purchase the goods to be used. SV is responsible for the selection and quality of suppliers and will ensure that the necessary logistics are in place. SV will additionally define quantities and set prices and payment methods with regard to suppliers. SV will contractually oblige suppliers to comply with the relevant legislation and will integrate monitoring of suppliers’ compliance with legal and contractual requirements into its risk management system.

   SV will define quantities and set prices and payment methods with regard to suppliers. SV centralizes and coordinates the purchasing of goods to optimize costs. SV will optimize its spending on logistics and provide appropriate ordering systems for this purpose. The Customer benefits from wholesale prices due to SV’s combined order volume. In addition, SV is compensated by its suppliers for its coordination efforts to the extent standard for the industry; this compensation remains with SV.

4. All rights to presented ideas, proposals, drafts, sketches, images, texts and the utilized management systems are SV’s intellectual property.

    

5. All personnel deployed by SV are obligated to follow SV’s instructions alone. The staffing hours of the personnel deployed by SV in the event contract/quote also include the time required to prepare, set up and dismantle the event. The minimum personnel deployment time shall be 5.5 hours. SV will ensure that all necessary health certificates or other accreditations required by public law for the personnel deployed by SV are available in good time before the event takes place. 

    

6. SV will make every effort to meet short-notice service additions or extensions. Unless expressly agreed in writing in accordance with section 2, SV is not obligated to satisfy requests for additions or extensions to the contracted services expressed in the 48 hours before the start of the event, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

7. SV is entitled to make minor changes to its services in the event of last-minute changes to the market offering, due to a lack of goods or substantial price increases. In the process, SV shall take into account the interests and wishes of the Customer and carry out the order in an equivalent fashion.

    

8. In all other respects, section 9 applies.

4. Information obligations incumbent upon the Customer 

The Customer undertakes to inform SV in good time and in writing of all circumstances relevant to food safety or labeling obligations. This includes, in particular, information on participants’ known allergies or intolerances, insofar as these are relevant for the preparation of meals. SV shall not be liable for damages resulting from the failure of the Customer to provide the aforementioned information, or resulting from this information being provided in incomplete form or late. The Customer indemnifies SV from third-party claims in this respect.

5. Services to be rendered by SV when the function rooms are provided by SV

Insofar as SV and the Customer have agreed that SV will provide the premises for the event, the following applies:

1. SV is obligated to make the function rooms – including the necessary inventory items for the event to run smoothly – available in the agreed condition prior to the start of the event, and keep them available until the agreed end of the event. The function rooms and inventory items may not be used after the end of the agreed period without the prior consent of SV’s on-site contact.

    

2. Unless they have been expressly promised in writing, the Customer is not entitled to use specific function rooms. If, for any reason, the agreed function rooms should be unavailable, SV undertakes to provide a replacement of equal value.

3. Any further services provided by SV with regard to decorations and other technical equipment (such as lighting and sound systems, etc.) require an express written agreement between SV and the Customer. An agreement or confirmation by email is expressly not sufficient in this case.

4. Where the Customer supplies its own technical equipment and decorations or has them supplied by a contracted third party, it is responsible for ensuring that they are set up and removed properly and punctually, so that the event can take place as scheduled. Costs that arise as a result are to be borne by the Customer. SV expressly rejects all liability if the event, and especially the services provided by SV, are impaired by delays in setup and/or removal.

5. The technical equipment and decorations supplied by the Customer or a third party must comply with fire safety regulations and be set up, installed and removed in such a way that they do not pose a risk to third parties or impede SV in the performance of its service. No adhesives, paints or pins may be used on the walls, floors or ceilings. SV is entitled to have any such stickers/posters, paintings and pinned/hung material removed at the Customer’s expense.

6. If and to the extent that SV provides material that is to be returned to SV after the end of the event (e.g. glasses, crockery, cutlery, linen, etc.), the Customer is obligated to return the material to SV undamaged and in full. Losses and damage caused by the Customer’s employees or guests shall be borne by the Customer.

7. SV is responsible for cleaning the rooms and catering equipment, including waste disposal, within the usual limits. The Customer will be invoiced separately for the costs of any extraordinary cleaning work.

6. Services to be rendered by the Customer when the function rooms are provided by the Customer

Insofar as the parties have agreed that the Customer will provide the premises for the event, the following applies:

1. The Customer is obligated to provide SV with the rooms, including the necessary inventory, required for the performance of the catering service in good time and in a functional, clean condition and to notify SV in full of any changes to the rooms or inventory in good time before the event takes place. The timeliness of notification and provision depends on the type and scope of the event in question and must therefore be specified in writing by the parties.

    

2. The Customer undertakes to inform SV in good time and in writing of all circumstances relevant to food safety or labeling obligations. This includes, in particular, company hygiene regulations or special access restrictions regarding production and event areas. SV shall not be liable for damages resulting from the failure of the Customer to provide the aforementioned information, or resulting from this information being provided in incomplete form or late. The Customer indemnifies SV from third-party claims in this respect.

    

3. SV will clean the catering equipment after the event. In the absence of any express individual agreement to the contrary in the event contract/quote, the Customer is otherwise responsible for cleaning and disposal.

    

4. If a defect occurs in the rooms or inventory items when the rooms or inventory items are made available, or during the performance of the service by SV, the Customer will be obligated to remedy the defect without undue delay and at its own expense. If the respective situation requires it and the defect is remedied by SV itself, the Customer is obligated to reimburse SV for the expenses incurred against proof of costs.

5. The Customer is also obligated to ensure the necessary electricity, water, sewage and, if applicable, gas supply. Insofar as the event is held in enclosed rooms, the Customer is obligated to ensure adequate ventilation and heating of the premises. It shall additionally ensure that the premises comply with fire safety requirements. All costs associated with the obligations in this section 6 e) shall be borne by the Customer; no further costs shall be levied against SV.

6. The Customer shall ensure that goods can be delivered at any time without hindrance in a reasonable and sufficient extent. Goods shall be accepted exclusively by SV staff.

    

7. The technical equipment and decorations supplied by the Customer or a third party must comply with the fire safety regulations and be set up or installed in such a way that they do not pose a risk to third parties or impede SV in the performance of its service.

    

8. Logistics costs are included in the event contract/quote, insofar as they are not expressly stated or agreed in an individual agreement.

9. If and to the extent that SV provides material that is to be returned to SV after the end of the event (e.g. glasses, crockery, cutlery, linen, etc.), the Customer is obligated to return the material to SV undamaged and in full. Losses and damage caused by the Customer’s employees or guests shall be borne by the Customer.

7. Services to be rendered by SV and the Customer if the function rooms are provided by a third party (e.g. trade fair)

If the function rooms are provided by a third party due to the local circumstances, the following will apply:

The Customer is obligated to enter into the necessary contractual agreements to use the function rooms with the third party. The Customer is obligated to ensure that the contractual agreements made with the third party are structured in such a way that the Customer is able to comply with the obligations arising from section 6. In all other respects, the provisions set out in section 6 shall apply accordingly to the case set out in this section 7.

8. Remuneration

1. The remuneration agreed between the parties does not include the applicable statutory value-added tax. 

    

2. SV will invoice the Customer within eight working days of the end of the event. The invoice is to be paid by the Customer within 30 days of the invoice date, without a discount being deducted.

    

3. Insofar as a flat-rate fee per participant has been agreed for the provision of the catering service, the Customer is obligated to inform SV in writing of the number of participants who actually attended without delay by the end of the event; notification by email is sufficient in this case. If the number of participants actually attending exceeds the number of agreed participants, the agreed flat-rate fee will be adjusted in proportion to the number of participants actually attending compared to the agreed number of participants. In all other respects, the provisions of section 9 apply.

4. If a flat-rate fee per participant and a number of participants have been agreed due to the nature of the event (e.g. trade fair), the Customer’s notification obligation in accordance with section 8 c) does not apply. In this case, the flat-rate fee will not be adjusted.

    

5. In cases of force majeure that renders the mutual provision of services impossible, the Customer and SV are released from their obligation to provide services for the duration of the disruption. Force majeure is an external event caused by elementary forces of nature, other exceptional environmental events or the actions of third parties that is unforeseeable according to human insight and experience, cannot be prevented or rendered harmless by financially reasonable means even by the utmost care that can reasonably be expected in the circumstances, and cannot be assumed because of its frequency. For example, the following are considered force majeure: natural disasters such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, flooding, extraordinary weather, storms, lightning and avalanches, as well as plagues, epidemics, pandemics, endemics and other outbreaks of disease, including the resulting official measures such as bans and quarantines, as well as major social unrest, civil war and war.

   The costs incurred up to this point shall be borne by the Customer. SV shall also be entitled to reasonable remuneration for the services rendered up to that date. Further claims for damages due to/in connection with cases of force majeure are excluded by both parties. 

6. SV is entitled to demand an advance payment from the Customer upon conclusion of the contract. The details are set out in the quote and/or the agreement based on it.

9. Withdrawal from the contract

1. Withdrawal by the Customer (cancellation)

   If the Customer withdraws from the contract before the event is held, SV will invoice the Customer for the following costs:

• Up to 30 working days before the event: offsetting of costs incurred up to that point
• 29–14 working days before the event: 50% of the agreed service
• 13–4 working days before the event: 75% of the agreed service

• 3–0 working days before the event: 100% of the agreed service

   

  The option for the Customer to prove that lesser losses have been incurred remains open.

Any costs already incurred by third-party service providers (florists, technicians, etc.) that can no longer be canceled will be passed on in full.

Withdrawal must be declared in writing.

2. Withdrawal by SV

   SV is entitled to withdraw from the event contract/quote if it has due cause for doing so. This shall be the case, for example, if

• a required hospitality license is not granted or is revoked due to a circumstance for which the Customer is responsible;
• the Customer fails to make the downpayment agreed in the contract on time;
• insolvency proceedings are opened against the assets of the Customer;
• the rooms provided by the Customer are not in a contractually acceptable condition and this renders it significantly more difficult to duly provide the catering service.

The rights of SV pursuant to section 2 e) remain unaffected by this.

Insofar as SV makes use of the aforementioned rights of withdrawal, the Customer is obligated to compensate SV for all damages incurred as a result of the withdrawal.

Withdrawal must be declared in writing.

10. Change in number of participants and event time

1. The Customer undertakes to notify SV in writing of the guaranteed number of participants for catering and meals no later than four working days before the start of the event. The invoice is based on this figure. No charge will be made for a reduction of less than 10% of the guaranteed number of participants. In the event of a reduction of more than 10%, the costs already incurred or expected to be incurred for the guaranteed number of participants will be charged.

    

2. SV must be notified of a change in the number of participants of more than 5% no later than 2 working days before the start of the event. This change requires the written consent of SV. In the cases referred to in section 10 b), email is sufficient to ensure compliance with the written form requirement.

    

3. If the number of participants is exceeded, every effort will be made to accommodate all persons as far as possible. The actual number of participants will be calculated.

    

4. If the number of participants deviates by more than 10%, SV is entitled to reset the agreed prices and to change the confirmed premises, provided that they are provided by SV. Any resulting additional costs for the changed premises shall be borne by the Customer.

    

5. If the agreed times for the start or end of the event are delayed and SV agrees to this, SV may invoice the Customer for the additional period of readiness (e.g. additional personnel services), unless SV is at fault for the delay. 

11. External food and drink

The Customer may not bring any external food or drink with them or allow participants to bring external food or drink with them. Exceptions require an express individual agreement with SV in the event contract/quote.

12. Warranty, liability, insurance 

1. SV shall carry out the order with due care and diligence. Claims for damages by the Customer are excluded irrespective of the type of breach of duty, as long as there is no willful intent or gross negligence. In the event of a breach of material contractual obligations, SV is liable for any negligence, but only up to the amount of the foreseeable, direct damage typical for this type of contract and – to the extent permitted by law – limited to the amount of the public liability insurance in place. A copy of the valid confirmation of insurance will be provided on request. The above limitations of liability do not apply to claims based on the German Product Liability Act. Furthermore, the limitations of liability do not apply to claims arising from fraudulent conduct or to damages resulting from injury to life, limb or health. Insofar as liability is excluded or limited, this also applies to SV’s vicarious agents or parties employed in performing an obligation for SV.

    

   The Customer is liable for losses and damage it causes, as well as for losses and damage caused by employees, guests, other assistants, event participants or subcontractors, parties employed in performing an obligation and vicarious agents of the Customer. Unless otherwise agreed, the Customer is responsible for taking out the necessary insurance against property damage and personal injury. It is incumbent on the Customer to conclude appropriate insurance for this. SV may request proof of such insurance.

    

2. SV maintains commercial liability insurance for the agreed provision of catering services.

    

3. The Customer must immediately notify SV in writing of any complaints. If complaints are made verbally during the event, SV’s manager must record them in writing on site and have them countersigned. This does not release the Customer from the requirement of subsequent written notification. In the cases referred to in section 12 c), sentences 1 and 3, email is sufficient to ensure compliance with the written form requirement.

   If the Customer does not properly comply with its obligation to assert complaints within a period of 4 working days and/or if the defects being complained about cannot be remedied in good time during the event or by the end of the event due to the Customer’s conduct, no claims for damages or reductions against SV can be derived from the defects detected or the complaints. However, this does not apply to grossly negligent or intentional conduct on the part of SV.

    

4. If a service is not provided at all or is not provided in accordance with the contract, the Customer may demand rectification. It may demand a reduction in the agreed price corresponding to the reduction if the agreed service was not provided at all, or was not provided in accordance with the contract, within a reasonable period of time following an unsuccessful request for remedy.

13. Confidentiality/data protection

1. The Customer and SV are obligated to treat as confidential all information obtained during the execution of the contract or through the other contracting party, as well as all information concerning the business operations of the other contracting party and the relationships of its customers.

2. Please refer to the separate Privacy Policy for information on data protection.

14. Miscellaneous

1. If SV procures technical or other equipment from third parties for the Customer, SV shall do so in its own name and on its own account. The same applies to the engagement of artists, performers, musicians, etc. SV will invoice the Customer separately for the costs incurred, including a handling surcharge.

    

   The Customer is liable to SV for the careful handling and proper return of the equipment provided and indemnifies SV from all third-party claims arising from the provision of such equipment or the involvement of individuals. This does not apply if SV has caused damage in this context through gross negligence or willful intent.

    

2. SV shall treat the premises and the inventory provided by the Customer with care. If defects in the premises or inventory made available are discovered in the course of the provision of catering services, SV will inform the Customer immediately in writing, by email at a minimum.

    

3. SV shall immediately hand over any items or lost property left behind to the Customer or an office to be specified by the Customer. Liability for damage to or loss of these items and lost property is excluded. 

    

4. The Customer must obtain all official permits necessary for the execution of the event at its own expense. It is responsible for compliance with these permits and all other public law regulations in connection with this event, insofar as compliance with the permits does not fall directly within SV’s sphere of activity.

    

5. The Customer is responsible for handling the necessary formalities and billing with the responsible institutes (e.g. GEMA) for music performance and sound equipment that it arranged itself.

15. Final provisions 

1. Additions and/or amendments to the event contract/quote, including its annexes, must be made in writing in order to be valid. This also applies to the revocation of this written form clause. Section 305b of the German Civil Code (BGB) remains unaffected.

    

2. No verbal ancillary agreements have been made.

    

3. Should a provision in these General Terms and Conditions or a provision within the scope of other agreements be or become invalid, this shall not affect the validity of all other provisions or agreements.

    

4. These General Terms and Conditions and the entire legal relationship between SV and the Customer are governed by German law.

5. The GTCs in the version valid at the time of conclusion of the contract apply to the respective contract.

   SV reserves the right to adapt and amend the GTCs at any time. The Customer will be notified of amendments to the GTCs in an appropriate fashion, especially by means of publication on the website. The Customer is therefore advised to visit the website on a regular basis.

    

6. Düsseldorf is the exclusive place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising directly or indirectly from this contractual relationship, insofar as both parties are merchants within the meaning of the German Commercial Code (HGB).

Date: February 1, 2026

Description and scope

As part of the use of our online shops, we set up a personal user account protected by two-factor authentication (code sent via email) for each guest who registers with us. You can manage your data in this account. If you want to create such a profile or you want to register, you must provide us with some data. If you do not provide this data, you cannot create a profile (“mandatory data”). The following data must be provided during registration:

-           Company

-           Address

-           Title, first name and surname

-           Telephone number

-           Email address

-           Password

-           Consent to the T&Cs and the Privacy Policy

-           If necessary, information about the payment method used by you

You can voluntarily enter, manage and edit various other pieces of information in the online shop. 

Purpose of processing | Justification | Legal basis

Name and email address must be provided so that we can identify you as the contractual partner and so that we can provide you with an optimal offer. While the registration process is in progress, we need your email address, as the information about your order is sent to your email address and we primarily use the email address to communicate with you.

The telephone number can be used for any queries requiring a quick response.

Customer activity data: Through your orders/purchases, we receive information about your shopping and ordering habits and preferences. This specifically includes the following data: date, place, time, type, quantity and value of products purchased, payment method used. The history log is designed to allow you to track your purchases and reconcile them with payments.

We also use customer activity data to track and continuously improve your shopping and ordering experience. We do this to make it more customer-friendly and tailored for you, to communicate with you about your orders and about specific products or marketing promotions, and to recommend products and services that may be of interest to you. In this respect, your customer behavior may be analyzed and your data may be processed for advertising and marketing purposes.

This data processing is justified by the fact that (1) the processing is necessary for the performance of the contract between you and us for use of the online shop, or (2) we have a legitimate interest in ensuring the functionality and faultless operation of the online shop and so that we can make you offers and familiarize you with our services in the best possible way.

Storage period

The data is stored for as long as it is necessary to achieve the purpose for which it was collected. Insofar as the data is required for a longer period of time for criminal prosecution purposes or to secure, establish or enforce legal claims, such data will be processed until these purposes have been achieved.

Please note that due consideration must be given to legal archiving and retention obligations, which may lead to an extension of the retention period.

For further information (in particular about the controller, the external data protection officer, the rights of data subjects, etc.) in connection with data processing by the caterer, please refer to the privacy policy on the SV Group AG website, which can be accessed via the following link:

https://sv-group.me/datenschutzerklaerung