Ten Catering Basics

1. Mindset: “We’re a Catering business that is also a restaurant”
2. Make Platters/Box Lunches/Catering a line item to discuss at every manager meeting
3. Require 30 catering-related calls or contacts per week by managers and archive
4. Know your local school Athletic Directors (their teams and families are hungry!)
5. Scour the local business and social sections online DAILY for catering opportunities
6. Promote catering on all packaging and signage, print and web
7. Samples to: Chamber of Commerce, schools, hospitals, clinics, car dealerships
8. Participate in festivals (it’s really a marketing event)
9. Remember at every catering event you have more than “one” customer
10. Ask your employees who they know that’s having a party, celebration or special event that could be catered buy your business