Business Terms of Service

1. Introduction and Scope

These Business Terms of Service (“Business Terms”) govern the use of ChefItUp's platform by businesses, restaurants, food service operators, and commercial entities (“Business,” “you,” or “your”). They supplement and, where they conflict, supersede the Consumer Terms of Service.

By registering a business account on ChefItUp, you represent that: (a) you are authorized to act on behalf of the business; (b) the business information you provide is accurate and complete; and (c) the business operates in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

If you do not have authority to bind the business, or if you do not agree to these Business Terms, do not register a business account.

2. Business Account Registration

When registering a business account, you must provide:

• Accurate business name, address, contact information, and business type.
• A valid business email address that you monitor regularly.
• Any required permits, licenses, or certifications if requested by ChefItUp for verification purposes.

ChefItUp reserves the right to verify business information and to reject, suspend, or terminate any business account that provides false or misleading information. Business accounts are not transferable without our written consent.

3. Listing Accuracy and Responsibility

You are solely responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all content you post in connection with your business listing, including but not limited to:

• Menu items and ingredients: All listed ingredients must accurately reflect what your business uses. Inaccurate allergen information is a serious safety matter and may result in immediate account suspension.
• Dietary claims: Labels such as “Gluten-Free,” “Vegan,” or “Halal” must meet applicable legal and industry standards. ChefItUp does not independently verify these claims.
• Pricing and availability: Prices and menu items should be kept current. ChefItUp is not liable for discrepancies between listed and actual prices.
• Business hours and services: Delivery availability, catering services, and seating capacity must accurately reflect your current operations.
• Photos and media: All images must accurately represent your actual products. Stock photography intended to mislead customers is prohibited.

You agree to update your listing promptly when any of the above information changes. Persistent inaccuracies may result in account suspension or removal.

4. Food Safety and Allergen Compliance

Businesses listed on ChefItUp must comply with all applicable food safety laws and regulations in their jurisdiction, including but not limited to health department requirements, food handler certifications, and allergen disclosure laws (such as the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act and applicable state regulations).

Allergen information is critical. You acknowledge that users may make dietary and health decisions based on the information you provide. You are solely responsible for the accuracy of allergen and ingredient disclosures. ChefItUp provides no warranty regarding the accuracy of this information and expressly disclaims liability for any harm resulting from inaccurate disclosures.

If ChefItUp receives a credible report of allergen mislabeling or a food safety incident linked to your listing, we reserve the right to immediately suspend your account pending investigation.

5. Prohibited Business Activities

In addition to the prohibited activities in the Consumer Terms, businesses may not:

• List products or services that are illegal in the jurisdiction where they are offered.
• Engage in deceptive pricing, hidden fees, or bait-and-switch tactics.
• Solicit ChefItUp users for transactions outside the platform in a manner that circumvents ChefItUp's services.
• Use ChefItUp to conduct multi-level marketing, pyramid schemes, or similar promotional activities.
• Artificially inflate ratings, reviews, or follower counts through inauthentic means.
• Post misleading “organic,” “local,” or “farm-to-table” claims without the ability to substantiate them.
• Operate a ghost kitchen or virtual brand under a name that does not match your registered business entity without disclosing this to customers.

6. Intellectual Property and Brand Use

By submitting content (recipes, images, descriptions, menus) to your business listing, you grant ChefItUp a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, display, and distribute that content for the purpose of operating and promoting the Service, including in marketing materials.

You represent that you own or have the necessary rights to all content you submit, including any third-party photographs, recipes, or branding elements. You are solely responsible for any intellectual property infringement claims arising from your submitted content.

ChefItUp grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the ChefItUp name and branding solely to indicate your presence on the platform (e.g., “Find us on ChefItUp”). You may not imply any partnership, endorsement, or affiliation beyond your listing on the platform.

7. Business Data and Analytics

ChefItUp may collect and process data related to your business listing, including user engagement metrics, search impressions, and interaction data. We use this data to operate and improve the platform and may share aggregated, anonymized insights with you through your business dashboard.

ChefItUp may use aggregated, anonymized business performance data for internal analytics, product development, and industry reporting. This data will never identify your business specifically without your consent.

You are responsible for complying with all applicable privacy laws with respect to any customer data you collect through interactions facilitated by ChefItUp (e.g., catering inquiries, reservations).

8. Reviews and User Feedback

ChefItUp users may leave reviews, ratings, and comments about your business. You acknowledge that:

• ChefItUp does not guarantee that all reviews are accurate or legitimate.
• You may not offer incentives (discounts, free items, payments) in exchange for positive reviews, or threaten users who leave negative reviews.
• You may report reviews that violate ChefItUp's content policies, but ChefItUp has sole discretion over whether to remove reviews.
• ChefItUp is not liable for the content of user reviews or any reputational harm they may cause.

9. Limitation of Liability for Business Accounts

CHEFITUP IS A PLATFORM THAT CONNECTS USERS WITH BUSINESS LISTINGS. CHEFITUP IS NOT A PARTY TO ANY TRANSACTION BETWEEN USERS AND BUSINESSES. CHEFITUP HAS NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR:

• Food quality, safety, or suitability for any individual's dietary needs.
• Delivery delays, order errors, or fulfillment failures.
• Disputes between your business and ChefItUp users.
• Any personal injury, illness, allergic reaction, or property damage arising from food or services you provide.
• Regulatory fines or penalties related to your business operations.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CHEFITUP'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOUR BUSINESS FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL NOT EXCEED $100 USD. CHEFITUP IS A FREE STUDENT PROJECT AND ASSUMES NO COMMERCIAL LIABILITY BEYOND THIS AMOUNT.

10. Business Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless ChefItUp, Inc., its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or relating to: (a) your business operations; (b) the content of your business listing; (c) food safety incidents or allergen mislabeling; (d) any transaction or interaction between your business and a ChefItUp user; or (e) your violation of these Business Terms or any applicable law.

11. Suspension and Termination

ChefItUp may suspend or terminate your business account immediately if:

• We receive credible reports of food safety incidents or allergen mislabeling.
• Your listing contains materially false or misleading information.
• You violate these Business Terms or the Consumer Terms of Service.
• Your business loses required licenses, permits, or health department certifications.
• You engage in conduct that damages ChefItUp's reputation or user trust.

Upon termination, your business listing will be removed from the platform. You may appeal a suspension by contacting business@chefitup.app. ChefItUp has sole discretion over reinstatement decisions.

12. Changes to Business Terms

We may update these Business Terms at any time. We will notify registered business accounts of material changes by email and by posting the updated terms here. Your continued operation of a business account after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Business Terms.

13. Governing Law and Disputes

These Business Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, United States. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Business Terms shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. ChefItUp is a student capstone project and will always aim to resolve disputes directly and fairly.

14. Contact for Business Inquiries