Why Your Restaurant Should Start Catering - And 4 Simple Steps to Start

In a recent study by Technomic, 36% of consumers said they are doing their socializing at home more often than a year ago. In addition, 40% said they'd like to entertain at home more often in the next year.

For a restaurant owner, those are some sobering numbers. The corresponding 4% decline in restaurants nationwide over the last year tells you just how serious the situation is. If your restaurant has made it this far, then hopefully the worst of it is behind you. And now might be the perfect time to turn the crisis into an opportunity.

That's because although consumers are staying home, they're not necessarily wanting to cook at home. That means you can find willing customers if you're willing to venture out from the restaurant. In fact, 53% of consumers said they bought prepared foods for the 4th of July 2009. That reveals a market that's available for what you do best: prepare great food.


Catering for small and mid-sized parties (10 - 100 people) is on a steep rise, and some restaurants have already started offering their services as a way to drum up business, even if those customers aren't seated in the dining area. So how can your restaurant get in the game? Some ideas:
( More... )