In this article 4 sections
Legal note Sample wording for reference only, not legal advice. Read more
The contract templates, clauses, insurance overviews and regulatory notes in this article are for educational and drafting reference. Sweet City Candy is a bulk confectionery distributor and does not provide legal, accounting, tax or insurance advice. Contract enforceability, catering licensing and liability standards vary by state and locality, so have a licensed attorney and a commercial insurance broker in your state review any agreement before you use it.
Many candy buffet businesses hire attendants event by event and pay them as independent contractors rather than employees. That can work, but the label on the contract isn't what decides it: tax agencies look at how much control you have over the work. Getting it wrong can mean back taxes and penalties, so it's worth setting up carefully.
Contractor or employee?
The IRS and many states look at questions like these:
| Leans contractor | Leans employee |
|---|---|
| Chooses which events to accept | Scheduled by you, like a shift |
| Works for other businesses too | Works only for you |
| Uses their own methods to do the job | Follows your detailed rules and training |
| Paid per event | Paid by the hour, ongoing |
What a contractor agreement should cover
- The work: attending the candy table, refilling, keeping it tidy, helping with teardown.
- Payment: a set fee per event, how and when it's paid, and that the contractor handles their own taxes.
- Choosing events: the contractor can accept or decline each booking.
- Standards: results you expect (a full, clean table; allergen labels in place), not hour-by-hour instructions.
- Conduct and confidentiality: behavior at venues, and not sharing client details.
- Damage and liability: what happens if equipment is broken.
Keep a signed form W-9 on file and send a 1099 at year end when the payments you made reach the IRS reporting threshold; your accountant can confirm the current amount. Sample clause wording is in our candy buffet contract template.
Brief attendants on the candy
Whoever runs the table should know which candies contain peanuts or dairy, which are individually wrapped, and how much to refill. See Food Handler Cards for Candy Attendants for hygiene basics. Our bulk staples, prices as of November 2026:
| Photo | Candy | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Albanese Mini Assorted Fruit Worms 5 lb · $3.10/lb | $15.50 |
 | Albanese Gummi Bears 5 lb · $3.01/lb | $15.04 |
 | Sour Patch Kids 5 lb · $4.98/lb | $24.90 |
 | Swedish Fish Red 5 lb · $4.98/lb | $24.90 |
 | Airheads Mini Assorted 5 lb · individually wrapped | $21.00 |
 | Smarties 5 lb · individually wrapped | $15.98 |
Running a Candy Cart, Buffet, or Event Styling Business?
Sweet City Candy supplies rental operators, wedding planners, and caterers with direct warehouse bulk pricing on 5 lb bags, color-specific Sixlets, and novelty sweets. No order minimums, fast dispatch from our Long Island warehouse.
Candy for your next booking
Shipped from our Long Island warehouse:
See more of our candy guides when you search Google.
