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The restaurant industry is evolving, and one of the fastest-growing sectors is catering. With increasing demand for corporate events, weddings, and private gatherings, restaurants have a unique opportunity to expand their reach and boost revenue by offering catering services. This post will explore the latest trends in the catering market and provide strategic insights for restaurants looking to break into or optimize this lucrative business.
Catering has become an essential aspect of dining for many occasions. According to recent data, the catering market is expected to grow by 4.5% annually over the next five years. This growth is driven by businesses hosting more events, the rise of social gatherings post-pandemic, and a general shift toward convenience. Restaurants are well-positioned to tap into this demand by leveraging their existing infrastructure and expertise in food preparation. 
To stand out in the competitive catering market, restaurants must stay up-to-date with the latest trends. Here are some of the top catering trends to watch in 2024:
Clients want catering menus tailored to their specific needs and preferences. Offering customizable options for dietary restrictions, such as vegan, gluten-free, or keto-friendly meals, will set your restaurant apart from competitors. You can also create bespoke menus for specific events, such as themed weddings or corporate parties.
With sustainability becoming a priority for many consumers, eco-friendly catering is a major trend. Restaurants can cater to this by using locally sourced ingredients, reducing food waste, and offering biodegradable or reusable packaging. Sustainable practices not only attract environmentally conscious clients but also reduce operational costs in the long run.
Individual portions and boxed meals are growing in popularity, especially for corporate lunches and casual events. This trend emerged during the pandemic and remains a favorite for those seeking safe, convenient, and easy-to-serve meal options. Restaurants offering boxed meals for catering can provide a seamless and hygienic experience for their clients.
From online ordering to real-time event tracking, technology plays a significant role in modern catering. Many restaurants are integrating mobile apps or platforms like Toast Tab to streamline their catering services. These tools allow clients to customize their orders, track deliveries, and even provide feedback—all through a single platform.
As the catering market continues to grow, here are several strategies that can help restaurants maximize their catering revenue and capture a larger market share.
It’s essential to have a menu specifically designed for catering. Unlike dine-in service, catered events require dishes that are easy to transport, reheat, and serve. Focus on creating a menu with versatile, scalable options that can suit different types of events, from small gatherings to large corporate events.
Ensure your catering services are easy to access. An online ordering system, such as ToastTab, can make it simple for customers to book catering services. Additionally, investing in a reliable delivery system or partnering with third-party logistics services will ensure timely and hassle-free delivery to clients. Phoenix Geeks, for example, can help restaurants implement robust tech solutions to improve ordering efficiency and ensure customer satisfaction.
Create catering packages that cater to specific types of events. Offering tiered pricing options for different group sizes, meal preferences, or event types can make it easier for clients to choose the right option. Promotions, such as discounted rates for repeat customers or seasonal deals, can also boost your visibility and attract new clients.
Promoting your catering services should be a key part of your marketing strategy. Use social media, email campaigns, and SEO-optimized content to target potential catering clients. Highlight the benefits of your catering services, such as convenience, customization, and your commitment to high-quality ingredients.
For restaurants already using platforms like Toast Tab for in-house operations, extending these tools to manage catering services is a natural next step. Toast's CRM tools allow you to maintain communication with past clients, offering personalized deals and incentives to bring them back for future events.
A great way to differentiate your restaurant's catering services is by targeting niche markets. Specialized catering, such as ethnic cuisines, organic or farm-to-table offerings, or catering specifically for certain dietary needs, can appeal to specific client bases. For example, corporate wellness programs often seek healthier meal options for their staff, presenting an excellent opportunity for restaurants offering healthy, fresh, and balanced catering options.
Restaurants can grow their catering business by collaborating with local businesses, venues, and event planners. Partnering with wedding venues, corporate offices, or local event planners can lead to a steady stream of catering requests. Building strong relationships with these partners can significantly enhance your restaurant's visibility and create a reliable source of recurring revenue.
Restaurants looking to scale their catering business should consider offering full-service catering. This means providing not only the food but also the staffing, equipment, and décor needed for events. By expanding your services, you can offer a one-stop solution for clients, which can increase your average order size and overall profitability.
Listening to customer feedback is key to growing your catering business. Encourage clients to leave reviews and testimonials, and use that feedback to make adjustments and improvements. Positive reviews can be powerful marketing tools, while constructive criticism can help you refine your services. Using platforms like Central Toast Tab to gather feedback and insights is an excellent way to continuously improve your offerings.
The growing catering market presents restaurants with a tremendous opportunity to boost revenue, expand their customer base, and strengthen their brand. By staying ahead of catering trends, streamlining operations with technology like Toast Tab, and offering tailored services, restaurants can set themselves apart in this highly competitive industry.
If your restaurant is ready to enhance its catering operations and take advantage of this booming market, call Phoenix Geeks today at 833-PHX-Geek, or fill out the form on this page now! To be contacted by a Toast POS Sales rep, visit GetANewPOS.com.