Has your restaurant taken the plunge on offering catering services to customers? It is definitely not for every business, but there are some advantages that your restaurant may want to consider. If you are looking to grow your business, catering just might be the answer you have been searching for. The holidays are a great time to offer catering services due to more office and house parties, but there will always be people searching for someone to cater their birthday, wedding, or private backyard event. Not to mention the many other holidays throughout the year that make catering a year-around money maker. While it might seem like a lot more work to offer catering services, the benefits can far outweigh the drawbacks. Let’s take a look at what some of those benefits can be.
New Customers
When you go to the people instead of the people coming to you, you will undoubtedly feed people who have never heard of your restaurant. This is such a great way to connect with more customers and get more people talking and sharing about your brand. It is important to have a QR code that takes them to your website or app so they can have a way of finding you for future events or just a new place to go eat.
New Stream of Revenue
Who doesn’t want to add a revenue stream to their business? Catering has the potential to substantially boost your profits. Catering revenue has grown and is expected to continue on that trajectory for the foreseeable future, making it an excellent option to help grow your business. So whether you are a small mom and pop restaurant or have multiple locations in multiple cities, catering can benefit your restaurant and be that extra stream of revenue you have been looking for.
Easy Marketing
As soon as you begin to offer catering at your restaurant, you want to be sure you get the word out. Post it to your social media accounts multiple times a week, have it on your website and app, and have it posted around your restaurant. You can even have it on your in-store menu with a QR code that takes them to your online catering menu. Be fully prepared to execute your catering plan with accuracy and excellence, which can also translate to priceless marketing advantages that won’t cost you a dime!
Lastly, don’t be timid due to the extra work that will now be on your plate. Technology is so helpful, and makes something like adding catering services a much smoother experience. When you cater, you know exactly how much food you need to prepare and how many employees you need on hand, which is actually much more efficient once you get it all figured out and can really help your restaurant see major growth.