How Tripleseat Helps Restaurants Do Catering Everywhere
Does anyone else feel like catering has taken off in the past year? Of course, the pandemic brought new urgency for a need for catering options of all sizes and types, but the boom didn’t stop once restaurants reopened; it’s only intensified.
Lucky for you, Tripleseat is a top tool for catering businesses, so obviously, it’s also a leading tool for restaurants that offer catering services. Let’s talk about three different locations where your restaurant should provide catering.
1. Weddings
OK, you might be thinking “duh” right now, but some restaurants are a bit timid when it comes to catering weddings. Back in the day (two long years ago), weddings were almost always complicated and of considerable size. But they’ve recently had a post-pandemic makeover, and their approachability has increased tenfold.
Smaller, more intimate receptions are all the rage right now, which means pretty much any restaurant is fair game when it comes to catering. So what should you do to market yourself to brides and grooms? Think about posting wedding catering packages on social media and sites like The Knot, WeddingWire, and of course Tripleseat’s EventUp. Make sure to take photos of any wedding you do cater to add to your website and social media, gaining you some major wedding street cred.
2. Backyard soirees of all kinds
Whether it’s the summer, fall, winter (with heaters), or spring, backyard parties have taken over in 2021. Yes, restaurants and event venues are back to business as usual, but that doesn’t mean everyone feels safe celebrating indoors. We predict that outdoor parties, especially those that take place in your backyard, will continue to be a big trend moving forward and into 2022.
Make sure your restaurant is top of mind when it comes to these events. Blast your entire email list with catering specials for outdoor events. For the summer months, we suggest barbecue packages, fish broils if your restaurant is near the coast, and of course lighter fair like fruit salad and sandwiches for events that take place in the heat of the day. For fall events, we like chili with cornbread and apple crisp for dessert. Winter is all about bringing the heat with savory and hearty dishes. In contrast, spring brings us all back to lighter, fresh options. Whatever season you’re in, adjust your outdoor catering menu to fit the feel.
3. Corporate
Corporate catering is back, folks! This example can be a massive moneymaker for any restaurant that builds strong relationships with its customers. Take it from someone who’s been on both ends of the spectrum. I worked in the corporate world for a few (very long) years, and I handled all in-house events. Whether it was a luncheon for five or a holiday party for 500, I had to find the perfect caterer.
On the other end, I was the Director of Events for a large restaurant group for 10 glorious years and made many friends in the corporate world because of it. The moral of my story is to treat your customers right the first time, and they’ll come back time and time again because it’s not worth spending your time trying to find something new if you know what you already have worked great.
Make it simple with Tripleseat
So you might be asking yourself right about now what Tripleseat has to do with all of this. It’s simple: Tripleseat gives you the tools necessary to start and grow a catering business. From streamlining how you accept catering orders with Tripleseat+ Direct to offering digital BEOs, customized lead forms, online payment options, and Customer Relationship Management reporting, Tripleseat truly does it all. It’s an all-in-one, cloud-based, catering solution for the modern catering industry.
Manage your catering orders with Tripleseat+ Direct
Tripleseat+ Direct enables restaurants and hotels to offer on-premise and off-premise events and catering to be booked by their clients, directly from their website, social media platforms, or EventUp. Tripleseat+ Direct provides your customers with a simple online booking solution where they can book, plan, and pay for in-house private events, off-site catering, pickup, and delivery with zero friction.
If your venue isn’t using Tripleseat+ Direct yet, head on over to our Tripleseat+ Direct page for more information or to book a demo.
