Catering Business Information
Are you a creative person who has a knack for creating tantalizing dishes that have people talking? Then starting a catering business just might be for you. Why work for someone else when you could channel all your energy and ideas into something you really enjoy? Running your own catering business will also give you the opportunity to encounter different challenges and, of course, be your own boss. The only restrictions that are placed on your catering business are those you place there yourself.
A catering business provides food service for the corporate events such as conferences, meetings, employee morale boosters, and grand openings. It also provides service for small or large parties, weddings, or even private dinner parties. The most important part of running any business is gaining clients. You really need to be a salesman with a magnetic personality in the catering business. You will be dealing with different clients including corporate executives, party planners, and nervous brides. In order to close the sale, you will have to convince them that you will not only provide a memorable feast, but it will be there on time, presented attractively, and served quickly and unobtrusively. Successful caterers go out and develop a referral network in order to drum up business. You should introduce yourself to other people and businesses that are involved in party and event planning as well. Some of these people include wedding planners, bridal boutiques, pastry chefs, florists, and card and party supply shopkeepers. Always have on brochures and business cards on hand to give out. But, don’t leave it at that – check in often to work up a mutual working relationship. You can also gain business by bringing a few snazzy hors d’oeuvres or tasty desserts to offer as goodwill gestures. This is a great way to ensure that you are remembered fondly and may even result in vendors referring you to their clients. You can send a sales letter and brochure to corporate offices and other types of businesses to gain prospective clients then, follow it up with a phone call. You can also request an appointment to discuss your services.
Like any business, your success with catering will be directly related to the strength of your planning, and the execution of that plan. You will need to understand exactly what your client wants, and deliver that in a way that reflects upon the client positively. Amazingly enough, only seventy percent of the restaurant business is made up of food, while with the rest goes to service, organization, etc. This actually changes in the catering business. Thirty percent in the catering business is food while the rest goes to delivery, transporting the food, lining up rental equipment, and juggling personnel. This is where your organizational skills really count. Prioritizing tasks and devoting your best effort to completing each task effectively is what it takes to succeed in this business. Enthusiasm, discipline, and intelligent decision making are also important elements to making your business succeed. Always keep the clients’ wants your priority. Treat them with patience and understanding at all times. They will need to know that you have what it takes to make the best out of any situation.
James Williams is expert and one of the successful owner of a Catering Business. For more great information on catering business please visit www.begincatering.com.
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