Boost Revenue with Catering
Catering can be done either on site at your restaurant or off-site via delivery or pick-up. If you have a room that you can use for on-site parties, great. If not, offer off-site catering. If you don't have a delivery vehicle (often a car is fine), look into local delivery services or just offer pick-up.
Catering is usually an efficient revenue stream if priced correctly, since most restaurants have slower periods during the day when chefs and prep cooks can prepare party platters, etc. Make sure to study the competition including local grocery stores and delis to know what they cater and how much they charge. Make sure that you are priced accordingly; if you’re a premium establishment, offer some items that can’t be gotten anywhere else in the area.
It’s not enough just to have a sign in your restaurant that you offer catering. You need to actively promote the service. Make sure that you have an attractive catering menu that you can hand out to patrons. If you use table tents for signage, promote your catering services and offer a discount to customers, possibly 10% off orders of $100 or more.
If you offer delivery, make sure to include a special summer catering flier in all outgoing orders. Make sure that your staff mentions your catering services to patrons at some point during their visit.
You’ll need to design a special menu for catering, as all of your in-house items may not travel well or taste as delicious hours later. If you’re known for the best fries or nachos in your area, for example, these items won’t heat up as well later on.
If you’re just starting to cater, keep the menu simple. Great, easy things to prepare in quantity include shrimp and salmon platters; sandwich plates; cheese, fruit and crudités items; pate, meat and pickle platters and big bowls of fresh gazpacho and fruit salad. Don’t forget the platters of brownies, cookies and carrot cake squares!
Offer serving services to your customers. Local groceries and delis won’t offer this. You can hire out some of your wait staff at a premium to have them serve and clean up parties off site.
You’ll need to order some plastic and wicker platters and doilies to plate your catering orders. Don’t plan on getting them back, so include their cost in your prices.
Remember, if people love the food at your restaurant and enjoy the service, they’ll want to use you for catering. Just make sure they know what you have to offer. July 4th is right around the corner, and many people entertain guests. Labor Day weekend isn’t far behind either.
