6 Successful Tips For Your Catering Business

The first thing that comes to mind when most people think of catering is the food. Good is a must for any caterer, but there’s more to the job than providing great-tasting cuisine. Like any other business in the service industry, creating a memorable experience for your customers at every step is key to your success. Use this list of tips to give your business an edge over the competition and make a good impression with all your customers. 

1. Ensure quality customer service

   A good rule of thumb to remember is that customers like to be wined and dined. It’s important to make your food tasty and presentable, but your work will take you out of the kitchen and bring you close to your customers. Make your passion and commitment to quality service clear in everything you do. Be courteous, friendly, and accommodating at all times to make a favourable impression. For example, when making the menu take your client’s ideas into account, and offer suggestions and alternatives when needed. Always ask yourself how you can exceed the client’s expectations to ensure you offer memorable customer service.

2. Develop your managerial skills

   Another trick you need to remember is excellent managerial skills. Tasks like HR, accounting, finances, and administration are crucial to success, so take the time to study those aspects of your catering business. It’s especially vital that you run a tight ship, especially during events. An efficient, organized, and well-led team can cook and serve as a well-oiled machine, and keep your guests happy and contented. Establish a system for keeping track of all relevant information (like venues, menus, pack lists, and timelines) to ensure you’re organized at all times and at all levels.

3. Invest in quality equipment

   Having the right equipment can make all the difference. Quality equipment is a significant investment that can give you an edge when preparing, cooking, and presenting your food. High-quality equipment is particularly vital for heavy-duty tasks like ice-making. Better equipment is more reliable, especially if you expect to use those devices for long periods of time. Quality pieces also reflect your brand. For example, when using disposable plates or cups, use heavy ones that can resist leaking or breaking to make eating more convenient for guests. While you’re at it, consider branded disposables featuring your logo to leave an impression during the event. Another vital piece of equipment that can make business more convenient is quality POS equipment. Invest in reliable POS support to make your transactions easier for your clients.

4. Find ways to minimize expenses

   Minimizing expense doesn’t always mean cutting corners; keeping the costs low can be done without sacrificing the quality your guests expect from your business. What you can do is keep your eyes open for opportunities to maintain that level of quality without breaking the bank. For example, you can keep your eyes open for vendors who can offer more competitive rates for ingredients. This way, you get quality ingredients to make your meals at a better price. You can also streamline the other aspects of the business to keep miscellaneous expenses down. Consider investing in IT consulting for your Toronto catering to keep your systems up-to-date so you can focus on the cooking side of the business.

5. Offer something different

   Like other businesses, you’ll have to deal with competing caterers and make sure you’re snagging your share of clients. The trick to boosting recognition of your Toronto catering is presenting yourself as something distinct from the competition. One thing you can do is add some special touches to your food and menu. Food is art. Get creative and present your dishes in a way that’s uniquely yours. Adding a splash of character is a simple, but effective way of standing out from the crowd of similar catering businesses. Another thing you can do is offer more competitive pricing to give your guests a more affordable option when they need a caterer. Remember to keep your own costs in mind though, to ensure you remain competitive after adjusting your prices.

6. Make use of online resources

   Digital marketing is a must-have for modern businesses, and catering is no exception. Online resources like your website, blog, and social media offer powerful marketing options to promote your business. Create plenty of informative content (like fun recipes your readers can try at home) to share your expertise with your audience and give them additional services beyond your catering. The internet also offers plenty of options for networking with similar businesses (like wedding planners and event coordinators). Creating a network is a great way to recommend each other to potential clients, giving you yet another way of growing your business and reaching out to more potential customers.

Keep in mind, good catering is more than food. There are other tricks you’ll need to make your business a success, but these tips are a good place to start. Keep these ideas in mind to give yourself a solid foundation for growing your catering business.