Tips on Keeping a Catering Business Busy

Transforming your catering business into a successful venture takes more than a pinch of hard work and a spoonful of determination. In this ever-competitive field, it's crucial to stay informed about industry trends and leverage that insight to boost your profit margins.

At the same time, staying busy involves more than merely following the competition. Being organized is ultimately the key to a well-run business that moves fluidly and keeps up with demand. Doing that requires a keen understanding of business management, along with an investment in promotional efforts to prime your company for the spotlight. Here are some helpful suggestions to ensure that your busy catering company stays that way.

Provide Quality Food and be Willing to Grow

You can tap into the world's most impressive marketing efforts, but if you aren't serving quality food, then your well will eventually dry up. It's likely that you're in this business thanks to your love of cooking, but always consider your growth as you plan the future of your business. What types of changes can you make to improve upon and expand your current offerings? Take your cue from clients who request specific types of dishes or cuisines. Instead of limiting yourself to one or two categories, broaden your menu to include the new and unexpected. The most successful catering services are those that don't focus on one type of cuisine. Be willing to push yourself and hire chefs that specialize in different types of meals.

Offer Incomparable Service from Start to Finish

Although the food is undeniably the star of the show, both the presentation and the service also play significant roles in bringing a special event to life. Show your clients that you value their trust by providing them with a comprehensive package that includes superior service from beginning to end. Make it a point to really connect with what your client needs. What are their specific expectations? Is there a tone they want to set for their event? Can you do something to tighten the experience and make it even more special for them? Treating your clients and their guests like VIPs is the key to establishing a lasting connection, which will translate into a regular business relationship and the potential for plenty of word-of-mouth references.

Prioritize Your Professional Image Right Away

In the catering world, presentation truly matters, from the food to the caterers themselves. Your clients will appreciate the effort that your employees put into dressing appropriately for the job. Remember that “professional” is truly the key here—always opt for clothing that is neatly pressed, properly tailored, and thoughtfully aligned with your company's mission. Practicality matters, too. In an environment that requires plenty of physical activity, servers should be outfitted in no-fuss clothes. A custom dress shirt for men not only looks smart and polished, but is also made with crisp, reliable no-iron cotton. A pair of business pants finishes the look effortlessly.

Black and white tend to be catering industry staples but wearing other hues might be acceptable depending on the vibe of your business. If you're a fresh, contemporary business appealing to a millennial crowd, you may want to wear brighter, bolder colors that speak to your business ethos. That could also be true if you work in a warm or tropical climate and cater outdoor events frequently. You'll find dozens of personalized polos to brighten up your employees' looks, for example. Naturally, a cooking apron is also a necessity at some events. While catering can be a messy business, keep in mind that it's important to keep aprons looking as fresh as possible.

Keep a Close Watch on Your Local Competition

It pays to know what your competitors are doing. Keep an eye on their latest offerings, including menu updates and pricing. Make sure that you can actually compete with them without lowering your own costs so much that you fail to make a profit. The key is to strike a fine balance—that's where your business acumen comes into play. Part of staying consistently busy involves recognizing what your clients want and developing the type of business that people think of first when they want to fulfill that need.

Share Your Leadership Skills Far and Wide

A good leader stands out for more than just a polished embroidered blouse, but dressing the part certainly makes a difference. Be the type of professional who stays organized and unfrazzled, even in the face of a big event looming on the horizon. Sharpen your interpersonal communication skills to easily resolve conflicts that might arise. Motivate your staff to focus on providing only the best possible service and make it a point to reward them for a job well done, too. Creating a circular system where everyone is happy—from your employees to your clients—will ensure that you continue to run a successful catering business for years to come.