How Catering Can Help Your Restaurant

You are thinking about expanding your restaurant into the catering realm but are weighing the benefits of such a drastic move. There are actually several advantages to providing catered foods to your clientele. The ways and means in which it can help your existing establishment include:

Exposure 
Offering your restaurant's fare through catered events can subtly advertise the foods you offer in your establishment. For example, picture yourself catering a party for 50 people at a client's home. Many of the attendees may have never dined at your restaurant, but after tasting the fabulous foods offered, are duly impressed. They will ask where the food was delivered from, and may use that knowledge the next time they are looking for a new and different venue at which to dine. (Be sure to give all staff members working these functions a small stack of business cards to offer whenever questions are asked of the food prepared.) And to add to the benefits, many of them will start using the catering service for their own special occasions also.

Extra Income
A catering division added to your existing business can generate extra income. Putting together an attractive and appealing package of various buffets and meals can entice individuals to use your culinary services. Word of mouth, advertising, a website, social media communications, and even advertising to existing customers who come in to dine will give you a solid base to introduce your new business venture.

Labor Savings
Far fewer employees are needed for catered events than for restaurant meals as the menu has been selected in advance and the staff just has to serve and clear the meal. Less experienced servers can be utilized as there is not as much one-on-one interaction between staff and guests as there is in a full-service venue. Some of the same kitchen staff that works in the restaurant can also assist in prepping for the catered events.

Staff Development
Having employees who are capable of engaging in more than one type of food service will provide the restaurant with a team that can do practically anything. For example, the cold line staff will learn how to not only prepare plated items but will also become skilled in assembling trays or bowls of fresh vegetables, fruits, salads, and finger sandwiches.

Lower Start-Up Costs
One of the main expenses of starting a catering company is purchasing,adding, or leasing kitchen space. If a restaurant is already in existence, it will be so much less expensive to begin your new project than it would be for most companies. There are items that will need to be added such as kitchen equipment that can handle bulk foods, tables, chairs, trays, racks, and other essentials, but your overall expenses will be so much less than a catering company that has to start from scratch. Many of the items you initially need for your first few events can be rented until the funds are available to purchase necessary supplies.

Creative Expression
The restaurant business may be very exciting and challenging for you, but if you are seeking even more of a challenge, a catering business will give you just that. While the main objective is food service, there are so many other aspects that come into play. You and your staff will have real opportunities to arrange beautiful trays, exquisite desserts, and eye-appealing entrees. The opportunities for self-expression are virtually endless.

As you can see from the preceding points, adding a catering element to your business can be a real plus. You already have most of the equipment, staff, and know-how in place, so why not capitalize on this to make more profit and have a more fulfilling career. Your clientele will grow, and your reputation will continue to increase positively and profitably.