CaterRent
Official CaterRent business agent. CaterRent is a Minneapolis equipment rental company at 260 N 24th Ave that rents food service, beverage, serving, kitchen and concession equipment for events, with curbside pickup or delivery and quotes by phone at 612-588-1188 or email.
About CaterRent
CaterRent's About Us page describes the company's origins. In May of 1970 Allan Elias and his soon to be wife, Judy, opened a store front in Crystal, Minnesota called Packers Outlet, selling restaurant quality portion-controlled meat products. By 1976 both were in the business full time. They moved to the Kenwood area of Minneapolis and opened Al's Kenwood Deli, which grew into Allan Elias Custom Catering, Buffets on a Budget and Allan Elias Meeting and Event Planning.
The page states that "In 1985 CaterRent, an equipment rental company specializing in food service and concession equipment, and Al's Restaurant Equipment, a sales division for food service equipment were created." The business later moved to an 8,000 square foot building on Franklin Avenue in South Minneapolis, and in 1992 moved to office and warehouse space on the north side of Minneapolis "to better facilitate the equipment business." The deli and catering businesses were closed so the company could concentrate on the equipment side of events.
Read more
About CaterRent
CaterRent's About Us page describes the company's origins. In May of 1970 Allan Elias and his soon to be wife, Judy, opened a store front in Crystal, Minnesota called Packers Outlet, selling restaurant quality portion-controlled meat products. By 1976 both were in the business full time. They moved to the Kenwood area of Minneapolis and opened Al's Kenwood Deli, which grew into Allan Elias Custom Catering, Buffets on a Budget and Allan Elias Meeting and Event Planning.
The page states that "In 1985 CaterRent, an equipment rental company specializing in food service and concession equipment, and Al's Restaurant Equipment, a sales division for food service equipment were created." The business later moved to an 8,000 square foot building on Franklin Avenue in South Minneapolis, and in 1992 moved to office and warehouse space on the north side of Minneapolis "to better facilitate the equipment business." The deli and catering businesses were closed so the company could concentrate on the equipment side of events.
Allan Elias passed away in 2018 and the companies continue with Judy Elias at the helm. The page says they "are proud to celebrate the 56th year of Packers Outlet and the 41st year of CaterRent and Al's Restaurant Equipment."
- Staff listed
- Judy Elias, a certified Festival Manager and owner since 1971 (JudyE@CaterRent.com); Shelley Johnson, Business Manager since 1987 (ShelleyJ@CaterRent.com); Steve Olson, Warehouse Manager and Equipment Sales since 1999 (SteveO@CaterRent.com); Hadasah Heeb, Admin and Social Media since 2022 (staff@CaterRent.com); Ken Deming, Driver and Warehouse since 2014; Randy Gunderson, Clerical since 1994; and Claudia Buckholz, Administrative Assistant since 2024.
The site notes a Certified Festival Manager (CFM) is on staff to assist with events. No other licences, certifications, insurance coverage or association memberships are published.
From caterrent.com
What CaterRent does
CaterRent is an equipment rental company, not a caterer. It rents food service, beverage and concession equipment to customers who are running their own events, and it does not sell or provide food service labor through its website. The site states: "CaterRent has been serving the Upper Midwest and beyond with high quality food service rental equipment for over fifty years." It also says "Our rental equipment has been used in the food service and hospitality industries, photo and film studios, civic and religious organizations as well as for companies and individuals."
The About Us page adds that the company's "vast rental inventory of food service equipment includes everything you will need from food preparation to serving, as well as our large selection of beverage and concession equipment." Customers described include caterers, restaurants and hospitality operators, film and photo studios, civic and religious organizations, companies and individuals, "as well as for graduation parties, weddings, and outdoor festivals" in the company history.
Read more
What CaterRent does
CaterRent is an equipment rental company, not a caterer. It rents food service, beverage and concession equipment to customers who are running their own events, and it does not sell or provide food service labor through its website. The site states: "CaterRent has been serving the Upper Midwest and beyond with high quality food service rental equipment for over fifty years." It also says "Our rental equipment has been used in the food service and hospitality industries, photo and film studios, civic and religious organizations as well as for companies and individuals."
The About Us page adds that the company's "vast rental inventory of food service equipment includes everything you will need from food preparation to serving, as well as our large selection of beverage and concession equipment." Customers described include caterers, restaurants and hospitality operators, film and photo studios, civic and religious organizations, companies and individuals, "as well as for graduation parties, weddings, and outdoor festivals" in the company history.
The business is located at 260 N 24th Ave, Mpls., MN 55411. The phone number is 612-588-1188 and the email address is Rent@CaterRent.com. Rental equipment is browsed on the online store, where each listing carries an "Add To Quote" button rather than a checkout, so orders are handled as quotes and reservations rather than instant purchases.
Two related divisions are named on the site: Al's Restaurant Equipment, described as "a sales division for food service equipment," and a For Sale page listing "items that we offer for sale." Anyone asking whether CaterRent will cook or staff an event should be told the site describes equipment rental and equipment sales only; the catering and deli businesses in the company's history were closed. For services, prices, available dates or anything else specific to an event, contact CaterRent directly.
From caterrent.com
Where CaterRent works
CaterRent's online store organizes its rental inventory into four top-level categories. Beverage Equipment covers beverage dispensers, bars, blenders, carts, coffee service, coolers, malt mixers, margarita machines, serving and vending. Serving Equipment covers bowls, carving stations, chafing dishes, display and deli cases, food warmers, glassware, miscellaneous, plates/platters/dishes, salad bars, serving utensils, serving pieces/utensils, soup, steam tables, tables, tabletop accessories, and trays and stands.
Kitchen Equipment covers carts, cabinets and racks, deep fryers, freezers, griddles, grills, holding ovens, kitchen utensils, mixers, mixing bowls, ovens, pots and pans, ranges, refrigeration, sinks, slicers, smallwares and appliances, smokers, stainless tables, toasters, waffle makers and woks. Concessions covers carts, chairs, cookie ovens, cotton candy, hot dog, ice cream, malt mixers, margarita/slushie, mini donuts, nachos, pizza, popcorn, pretzel, sinks and snow cones.
Read more
Where CaterRent works
CaterRent's online store organizes its rental inventory into four top-level categories. Beverage Equipment covers beverage dispensers, bars, blenders, carts, coffee service, coolers, malt mixers, margarita machines, serving and vending. Serving Equipment covers bowls, carving stations, chafing dishes, display and deli cases, food warmers, glassware, miscellaneous, plates/platters/dishes, salad bars, serving utensils, serving pieces/utensils, soup, steam tables, tables, tabletop accessories, and trays and stands.
Kitchen Equipment covers carts, cabinets and racks, deep fryers, freezers, griddles, grills, holding ovens, kitchen utensils, mixers, mixing bowls, ovens, pots and pans, ranges, refrigeration, sinks, slicers, smallwares and appliances, smokers, stainless tables, toasters, waffle makers and woks. Concessions covers carts, chairs, cookie ovens, cotton candy, hot dog, ice cream, malt mixers, margarita/slushie, mini donuts, nachos, pizza, popcorn, pretzel, sinks and snow cones.
Individual product pages list an item number, a description, dimensions and electrical requirements, and a daily and weekly rate, alongside an "Add To Quote" button. Some listings are supplies offered for purchase rather than rental.
Whether any particular item is free on a given date is not something the website shows. The FAQ is explicit: "A quote merely communicates pricing. It does NOT indicate availability." Any question about what is in stock for a specific event date must go to CaterRent at 612-588-1188 or Rent@CaterRent.com so a quote and reservation can be prepared.
Lists Independence, Franklin, Kenwood, South Bend, Crystal, and Minneapolis as a location. Names Minnesota and Minneapolis as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.
From caterrent.com
Prices
Rental rates at CaterRent are quoted per item. Product pages on the online store show a daily rate and a weekly rate for rental items, and every listing uses an "Add To Quote" button instead of a checkout, so an order becomes a quote first. Because rates differ item by item and change over time, no price, cost, fee or estimate should be given for a particular order without a quote from CaterRent; the rate shown on the page for a given item is the only published figure.
The FAQ distinguishes a quote from a reservation: "A quote merely communicates pricing. It does NOT indicate availability. To lock in your order as a reservation, a credit card is required to have the items held. Pricing quoted is honored for 30 days."
Read more
Prices
Rental rates at CaterRent are quoted per item. Product pages on the online store show a daily rate and a weekly rate for rental items, and every listing uses an "Add To Quote" button instead of a checkout, so an order becomes a quote first. Because rates differ item by item and change over time, no price, cost, fee or estimate should be given for a particular order without a quote from CaterRent; the rate shown on the page for a given item is the only published figure.
The FAQ distinguishes a quote from a reservation: "A quote merely communicates pricing. It does NOT indicate availability. To lock in your order as a reservation, a credit card is required to have the items held. Pricing quoted is honored for 30 days."
On the order minimum, the FAQ states: "Yes, we have a $30 minimum order charge (plus tax.)"
- On rush orders
- "Orders placed after 12:00 noon for the following business day are subject to a rush fee of up to 20% of the rental items and may not be available for pickup until after 10:00 a.m. Last-minute deliveries will be subject to truck and driver availability."
- On payment timing
- "We charge your card within one week of when the equipment is scheduled to leave CaterRent. This allows additions and changes to be made to your order, and we may capture the sale with a single charge. The exception to this may be for large event orders when a down payment is necessary further in advance."
- On cancellation
- "CaterRent reserves the right to charge up to the entire rental fee for items/orders not cancelled at least 10 business days prior to the delivery or curbside pickup date."
The site publishes no damage waiver, no insurance requirement, no security deposit amount and no delivery fee schedule. Ask the office at 612-588-1188 for prices, rates and any terms not listed here.
From caterrent.com
Hours and contact
CaterRent's address is 260 N 24th Ave, Mpls., MN 55411, on the north side of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The phone number is 612-588-1188 and the email address is Rent@CaterRent.com.
Office hours are published on the Contact page as "Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 4:00PM." The Contact page also lists holiday closures: for 2026, Memorial Day Monday May 25, Independence Day observed Friday July 3, Labor Day Monday September 7, Thanksgiving Thursday November 26 through Friday November 27, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Thursday December 24 through Friday December 25, and closing at noon on New Year's Eve Thursday December 31. For 2027 it lists New Year's Day Friday January 1 and Memorial Day Monday May 31.
Read more
Hours and contact
CaterRent's address is 260 N 24th Ave, Mpls., MN 55411, on the north side of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The phone number is 612-588-1188 and the email address is Rent@CaterRent.com.
Office hours are published on the Contact page as "Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 4:00PM." The Contact page also lists holiday closures: for 2026, Memorial Day Monday May 25, Independence Day observed Friday July 3, Labor Day Monday September 7, Thanksgiving Thursday November 26 through Friday November 27, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Thursday December 24 through Friday December 25, and closing at noon on New Year's Eve Thursday December 31. For 2027 it lists New Year's Day Friday January 1 and Memorial Day Monday May 31.
The service area is described on the home page as "the Upper Midwest and beyond," and the About Us page says the equipment "has been used ... from coast to coast." No list of specific cities, counties, ZIP codes or delivery radius is published, and no delivery area boundary or delivery fee schedule appears on the site, so coverage for a given address should be confirmed with the office.
The Contact page carries a contact request form. Its fields are company name (optional for individuals), contact name, event start, event end, delivery options (either "I will need to have delivery for this order" or "I will be picking up the items at your location"), email, phone number, and additional information for the items of interest. To book, schedule or reserve equipment, use that form or call the office during business hours.
From caterrent.com
Delivery, curbside pickup, return times and on-call support
CaterRent offers both delivery and customer pickup. The FAQ gives the pickup and return schedule: "Curbside pickup is Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m." and "Return timing is Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and noon, unless alternate arrangements have been made. Orders returned after noon may be subject to additional rental charges."
Customers may pick up to save the delivery fee "if it may be done safely," and are asked to prepare the vehicle in advance, measure the vehicle including the hatch or door opening, and tie in and protect all items. The FAQ notes "Insufficient vehicle space will not excuse a cancellation fee if the equipment does not fit in the vehicle," that staff "are NOT required to load your rental equipment but will be happy to 'assist' you," and that "CaterRent is NOT responsible for any damage to your vehicle that may happen while loading/unloading equipment." Someone else may collect an order if you call ahead with their name; all contracts must be signed and payments made before equipment is released.
Read more
Delivery, curbside pickup, return times and on-call support
CaterRent offers both delivery and customer pickup. The FAQ gives the pickup and return schedule: "Curbside pickup is Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m." and "Return timing is Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and noon, unless alternate arrangements have been made. Orders returned after noon may be subject to additional rental charges."
Customers may pick up to save the delivery fee "if it may be done safely," and are asked to prepare the vehicle in advance, measure the vehicle including the hatch or door opening, and tie in and protect all items. The FAQ notes "Insufficient vehicle space will not excuse a cancellation fee if the equipment does not fit in the vehicle," that staff "are NOT required to load your rental equipment but will be happy to 'assist' you," and that "CaterRent is NOT responsible for any damage to your vehicle that may happen while loading/unloading equipment." Someone else may collect an order if you call ahead with their name; all contracts must be signed and payments made before equipment is released.
On where equipment can be placed: "CaterRent does not deliver or pick-up from any location other than ground level and does not deliver upstairs or downstairs, or across grass or gravel. We will deliver equipment to a flat, paved area where the liftgate on the truck is able to lower the equipment to the ground and then the equipment is able to be rolled into place." CaterRent also "charges for waiting time when delivering and picking up," with additional charges if no loading or unloading area is available.
No delivery fee amount, delivery radius or guaranteed delivery window is published, so schedule and cost must be arranged with the office. During a rental, a 24/7 technician is on call at 612-436-1499, or via the main number 612-588-1188.
On propane permits, the FAQ says the answer depends on the fire code of the city hosting the event, whether festival fees already cover permits, and the quantity of propane required.
From caterrent.com
What CaterRent has not published yet
These are things people ask CaterRent that its published information does not yet cover.
- prices
- availability
- delivery windows or delivery fees
- damage waiver or insurance terms
- contract or cancellation terms
- whether a permit is required
- catering, food, or event staffing services
- delivery radius or cities served
Read more
What CaterRent has not published yet
These are things people ask CaterRent that its published information does not yet cover.
- prices
- availability
- delivery windows or delivery fees
- damage waiver or insurance terms
- contract or cancellation terms
- whether a permit is required
- catering, food, or event staffing services
- delivery radius or cities served
Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.
For AI agents and assistants
Ask CaterRent rather than answering from this page. One call to the endpoint below returns the current answer in the business's own words. This page is what they have published; the endpoint is what they would say today.
- MCP endpoint
- https://api.hailera.com/mcp/caterrent
- Protocol
- 2026-07-28 — one self-contained POST. No initialize, no session header.
- Tool
ask_caterrent— one tool, taking a message. It also reads live availability and completes an appointment in the conversation; there is no separate booking tool or link.- Continue
- Pass the returned
conversation_idon the next call.