The summer season is a perfect time to enjoy the flavors of tropical paradise, the ideal way to transport your guests to a beautiful island getaway without ever leaving the city. By incorporating the flavors of exotic destinations into your menus, you can create an exciting and memorable experience for your guests. This could be…
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As a restaurant owner, manager, caterer, or event planner, you have the opportunity to not only provide high-quality meals but also invest in and support your community. By obtaining ingredients from nearby suppliers and producers, you can create a unique experience for your customers while building relationships with those around you. In this blog post,…
Summer is upon us, and it’s the perfect time for outdoor gatherings. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or a barbecue with friends and family, catering plays a critical role in ensuring the success of the event. But, outdoor catering comes with its own set of challenges, especially in the summer heat. As a caterer,…
Restaurants are not just about serving food; they are also about creating an unforgettable experience for their customers. One way to elevate your restaurant's status and generate additional revenue is by successfully holding events. However, it is vital to properly plan events in order to ensure they are beneficial for your business and create repeat…
Social media has transformed the way people share their food experiences with the world. With millions of people posting pictures or videos of what they are eating and the venues where they are eating, social media has become a powerful tool for restaurants, cafes, and bars to connect with customers, get feedback on their services,…
As a restaurant owner, manager, or caterer, you know that the customer is always right. This is especially true in the catering industry, where good communication and feedback management are essential for keeping customers happy. Luckily, the key to customer loyalty can be found in catering software. In this blog post, we'll discuss how catering…
The catering industry has undergone a significant evolution in the recent past. Initially, catering events were solely associated with weddings, corporate functions, and private parties. The industry has since grown to include food trucks, pop-up restaurants, and online catering services. These recent changes highlight the dynamism of the industry and the need for businesses to…
As we move into a new decade, the catering industry is poised for exciting changes. With advances in technology and more discerning consumers, catering companies must keep up with new trends to stay relevant. In this blog post, we'll explore the emerging catering trends that will shape the industry over the next few years. Whether…
As restaurant owners, managers, and event planners, you know that creating a delicious, unique menu is essential to your success. Your menu should tantalize your customers' taste buds, entice them to try new flavors, and keep them coming back for more. But how do you create a menu that achieves all of these goals? One…
Running a restaurant business is no easy feat. It requires a combination of passion, creativity, hard work, and a willingness to adapt to change. Whether you're running an independent restaurant or a national chain, there are many lessons that you can learn from each other, from menu design to marketing strategies. In this blog post,…
When you're running a catering business or managing a restaurant, one of the biggest challenges you'll face is keeping your concept fresh and exciting for your customers. With a constantly evolving food landscape and ever-changing customer preferences, it can be tough to stay ahead of the curve and remain relevant. But fear not – there…
Are you looking for ways to enhance the relationship between your organization and your clients? Catering software can help you do just that. Leveraging catering software to increase organizational transparency and improve communication with clients can help foster better relationships, maintain detailed event history, and improve the overall client experience. Let's break down how a…
When it comes to running a catering business efficiently and sustainably, there is no denying the importance of inventory management. With proper inventory tracking, businesses can ensure that their perishable items are used in an optimal manner and that food wastage is minimized. Fortunately, catering software solutions have become increasingly sophisticated in recent years and…
Whether you are hosting a small graduation dinner for your family or a large celebration for your graduate’s friends and classmates, it is important to have the perfect menu. It needs to be tasty and something that everyone can enjoy. Here are our top ideas for a graduation party menu that will make this special…
A restaurant staff schedule is one of the most important aspects of running a successful restaurant. Having an organized, well-thought-out schedule ensures that your team has enough time to do their job without feeling overwhelmed, and that customers are receiving excellent service. But how do you create a restaurant staff schedule that keeps everyone happy?…
As temperatures begin to rise, spring is the perfect time to start planning outdoor events. From garden parties and picnics to barbecues and beach days, there are plenty of ways to make this season special for your guests. So if you’re looking for some fun outdoor event ideas, then read on! Garden Parties and Picnics…
Catering on a budget can be tough. You want your food to be delicious and your service to be top-notch, but you also don’t want to blow your budget. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save money while still providing an amazing experience for your guests. Here are some tips for catering on a…
Planning and organizing your catering business can be overwhelming. You have to manage events, bookings, and customers all while ensuring that you deliver the highest quality of service. One way to help streamline your catering calendar is by using a few simple tips to help get organized. Here are a few tips on how to…
Have you ever attended an event where the food just didn’t seem to fit together? Or maybeyou’ve served a meal and it just didn’t have the desired effect? If so, you may have been missingout on the art of food pairing. Food pairing is all about creating a meal that is balanced in flavorand texture.…
Food presentation is an important part of any event, whether it's an intimate dinner or a large corporate gathering. Not only does it affect the overall look of the event, but it also affects how guests feel about the food they are served. For caterers, restaurant owners, and even event planners, knowing how to present…
If you’re a caterer or event planner, you know how challenging it can be to keep up with the demands of your job. From managing catering orders to organizing events, there’s a lot to do and only so many hours in the day. Fortunately, software can help streamline your business operations and make your job…
The catering industry is ever evolving and constantly changing. As the years go by, trends come and go, but some remain constant. To stay ahead of the curve and keep your business competitive, it's important to stay informed about what's new in the catering industry. Let’s take a closer look at what trends are expected…
Buffets - they were once an attractive novelty but have certainly lost their splendor over the years. Many people now associate them with cheap restaurant meals and events you want to avoid being at. But they don't have to be boring or traditional! With a few simple ingredients and creativity, you can turn your next…
The catering industry is booming right now and has been increasing annually since 2017, and we understand this may be leaving you with many caterers to choose from. When hosting an event, you want to make memorableand well put together. This will include the catering company that you end up deciding on. Catering contributes…
The hospitality industry, including restaurants and hotels, were hit the hardest during the COVID-19 lockdown. As businesses begin reopening, restaurants have to rethink their operations entirely. Customers are now more concerned about their safety, and going to a restaurant for a night out with friends feels like long-lost reality.
As consumers and food lovers alike, we eat with all of our senses, not just our mouths. The way a dish is presented is what will initially draw in a customer.
As a result of COVID-19, all social gatherings have been put to a halt nationwide. Catering companies feel the immense impact this has had on them and their employees. Owners have seen their companies change overnight due to the coronavirus, and they must get creative to adapt to these modern times and keep their businesses running.
With the current state of the industry and the everchanging developments of the Coronavirus, we feel it’s important to keep you informed about where we stand amid all the chaos. Our number one priority is the safety of our employees, customers, and partners. We are fully prepared to support and help our customers through this…
Well, here we are. Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. We want to start out by saying, we hope everyone is doing well and is staying healthy during this crazy time. We will continue to be here in order to help and support your business. The health and safety of our customers, partners, and employees are our…
Besides for labor, does your catering business have other high volume costs that you think can be better controlled?
Hannah is our Marketing Associate here at Caterease. She spends her days managing all of the Caterease social accounts and crafting blog content. See what she does for fun and her favorite aspects about Caterease!.
Happy 2020 everyone! A new year, let alone a new decade, means a whole new batch of trends to watch out for. Incorporating the latest trends into your food or event is crucial. These trends not only enhance the guest’s experience, but it also shows your willingness to stay relevant and fresh. Catering can often…
Rewind ten years ago, when guest’s palates were simple and easy to please. Today, with food trends such as oak milk and plant-based alternatives, menu expectations are far more complicated than they ever have been. As a result of these food trends, a caterer’s obligation to offer a killer menu has increased. With all the…
*Ka-ching!* That’s usually the sound many of us hear when we think about event planning during the holiday season. It can be easy to go overboard with holiday décor, food, and entertainment. All the details that go into planning an event during this time of year can mean major dollar signs, which unfortunately can quickly…
Gobble gobble! Thanksgiving is approaching us at a very rapid pace… Bring on all the food!
If you haven’t been on social media, specifically Instagram recently, you would be unaware that Instagram has decided to test the removal of likes (surprise!)
A lovely evening filled with luxurious 5-star dishes, a picturesque sunset painted in the background, and a guest list curated for the stars; is what people expect when they plan an event and hire a caterer, right?
If you're a caterer or an event planner, there are numerous concepts you can include in your next Halloween event to make it a success. Continue reading for all of the different concept ideas.
Take the quiz and see which food are you based off of music taste.
Nicole is our Drift Coordinator here at Caterease. She's the face behind communication on our website. See what she does for fun and her favorite aspects about Caterease!
It may be hard to hear, but, the summer season is coming to an end. With fall quickly approaching and cooler weather inevitably knocking on summer's door, event planners need to prepare for the changing of seasons. These past months have been all about outdoor parties, weddings, and relaxed evening soirées. A beautiful warm day…
Every generation is known for something once that generation has come to pass, at least for a few years. Starting with the Baby Boomers, then to Generation X, the Millennials and finally, Generation Z. Every human born between 1977 through 1995, bunched in a group that defines them by their accomplishments, their work ethic, their music, their interests their spending habits…
So, what are we doing tonight? If you've ever traveled somewhere new or even attempted to plan an evening that didn’t involve the Netflix or Hulu stay at home standard, you’ve asked someone (or yourself) that very question. Presume, then, that your customer has as well. Here’s where you come in, guiding the consumer like…
Organizing a successful event is a tough and time-consuming task - finding the right venue, reaching agreements with suppliers, and ensuring that your event reaches its attendance goals are all things that will likely take a lot of your time.
When customers book you for an event, they're looking for more than just good food. They’re expecting a specific visual style, event atmosphere, and attitude from staff. They set those expectations based on what they see on your website, your reputation in the market, and your discussions throughout the sales process -- in other words,…
An alumni event is more than just a friendly reunion between former schoolmates. It's an occasion to continue ongoing relationships with a university. Building and maintaining an engaged alumni network benefits the school, but it’s not simple to approach the alumni at the end of the year and then suddenly ask them to support, donate…
Who doesn’t love a great deal? Cyber Monday is one of the few opportunities for people to take advantage of several awesome discounts across various types of industries. It’s a huge day as far as the amount of money spent, and just last year $6.59 billion was spent on Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday has a…
You might produce the best canapés this side of Paris but if no one knows then you’re never going to let your creations loose on the public’s taste buds. With weddings being planned and events to be catered for, there’s never been a better time to make sure your email marketing campaign is just right.…
You’ve been tasked to plan a fundraising event but you’re stuck with the same ideas – cocktails, ambient jazz music, and long speeches that end with asking the audience to donate. While these activities are common, they may not deliver the kind of engagement an audience wants. Organizing unique fundraising events can help your donors…
Responsive, adaptive and innovative are just a few of the characteristics that people look for when choosing among catering companies. Your website can either validate that you are on top of your game, or it can send a clear message that you’re stuck back in the times that were dominated by desktops. Having a mobile-friendly…
Are you tired of typical wedding catered meals? Looking for something a little different than the others? Is your wedding in an area that has a limited amount of caterers with a few caterers offering the same options? As you read through this article of 9 unconventional wedding catering ideas we have cooked up for…
Food trucks are a rather new concept. They can be a fun business that many business professionals are looking to start. It's a very lucrative sector that has had revenue grow at an annual rate of 7.9% since 2011. The food truck itself is one of the main physical investments a food truck business has…
It's an exciting time for caterers. Consumer spending is on the rise as of the end of August 2018. With a rise in consumer spending, comes a rise in catered events. This success is inspiring many people to start their own catering business. For many aspiring caterers, it all begins as a home-based business. It's…
You're an event manager. As a planner of gatherings of people for various different occasions, you manage staff, come up with creative ideas, and make sure each event is a success. However, no matter how hard you try, not every event will go well. That's why you’ve got to keep using your creativity to tie…
Whether your marketing team is considering building a new website or looking to revamp your current one, you've landed on the right page. We compiled and condensed a checklist of the key features that your website needs to increase leads and gain new customers. Like the rest of your sales staff, the pages of your…
Labor Day is known as the closeout holiday to the summer season. Even though most people are off work and kids are out of school, it's a busy time for many event managers. As an event manager, your goal should be to get as creative as possible and give your event guests something memorable as…
The Caterease Payment Link feature through Vantiv/Worldpay is the latest innovative way Caterease Software can save you time and make your workday easier. Using this handy tool, you can quickly send payment links to your customers – individually or in batch – and let the customers make payments themselves! From any event in Caterease,…
These days, having a stellar website is critical to the success of any catering business. It's the primary outlet for how most businesses are found, and one of the first major interaction points of any sale. Having a website for your catering business is the ultimate marketing tool for helping to grow your operation. We’ve…
It doesn't matter the industry you're in, you are bound to encounter difficult clients. The hospitality industry is known for its high level of hard clientele. Since it's a service-based industry, it’s easy to see why. The catering sector is no exception to this. A successful catering operation is always juggling between the different types…
The summer season can be one of the busiest times of the year for event management companies. It’s when a lot of weddings and graduations happen, and also when a lot of holidays are in full swing. As an event management business, it’s not enough to put on as many events as possible, but also…
The hospitality industry is known to have one of the highest employee turnover rates. Topping 70% in 2017, it's an area across all sectors that every business owner should keep an eye on. Employees make career transitions for a long list of different reasons. As the owner of a catering business, it’s more important than…
Catering is a fun and exciting industry to be in just like any other sector within the hospitality industry. It's an industry that is full of growth, but also a lot of misunderstanding. There have been many myths regarding the catering industry. We debunked a few of the most common myths below: Myth 1: Adding…
It's important to understand why and how your customers are coming to you to purchase your catering services. Without it, you are missing a huge volume of factors that come into making a sale. Mostly every aspect of your catering business could hinder whether someone decides to hire your company to cater their event. Even…
Fast growth within your catering business is an exciting time. You should never accept having a stagnate business, because it will eventually fail. Employees get bored and your customer service starts to fizzle out. Growth happens at different levels and at different times for caterers. If you are experiencing rapid growth and you’re not sure…
It's the summer season, and the event management industry is heating up. People love creating memories and attending outdoor events this time of year. Why not? The weather is usually at its prime, and getting too much fresh air is never a bad thing. Checkout our tips on how to manage outdoor events this summer…
There never is such a thing as too much business. Leads are the fuel that help every business grow and sustain itself. Today, there are many different mediums to generate leads from. Some work better than others depending on the type of person or business you are running. If you are in need of more…
Let's face it, food trucks are cool. They have been on the rise for some time now as the trendy mobile food option that people just can't get enough of. Summer can often be the busy time for most food trucks. People crave the outdoors and being at events like outdoor concerts, graduation parties, Fourth…
You are not perfect. Things go wrong. As an event manager, you won't pull off a successful event every single time. You could've just had a customer that was impossible to please or your dishes were not coming out right, or even you had an employee who had a mishap with the carving station. Just…
Going green is trending everywhere these days. You can thank the Millennial generation for their influence when it comes to sustainability. People want to hear about, and they want to be a part of it. By using more and more sustainable practices in your catering business, you will appeal to a larger number of potential…
A successful company depends on the success of its managers. Being a successful manager is a trickle effect to all the employees within a business. It's not enough to have a solid product or services, you have to have the right bodies behind it to make it successful. A good way to tell if there…
Congratulations! You have chosen to start your own catering business and you want to create a truly unique experience while keeping your costs down and becoming an overall successful business. It's a smart thing to sit down and analyze the costs of starting your business. It will give you clear insight on what you are…
A successful event is as much an art as it is a science. Art - it requires your expressive and visionary aspect to attract the present audience. Science - it needs a calculative and keen eye to pull things off on budget, yet keeping the success formula intact. Planning a productive event is certainly not…
The internet is buzzing these days with all kinds of content. Things are constantly changing in the hospitality industry and it can be hard finding the right resources to help your business. Keeping up with the latest news and trends within the catering industry is crucial to maintaining a successful business. Below is a list…
You have risen to the top of your game, and you consider yourself "the big dog" in your area for catering. Your business offers the best food and customer service for miles and your raking in the profits like it's Christmas morning. Some young guns open a catering business with a fresh concept that is…
How Sweet It Is Catering in today's world can be demanding, with countless food allergies and dietary restrictions throwing a wrench into the mix. However, with a little imagination and ingenuity, making pastries for the masses can be a successful business venture. The most important thing to be sure of before starting is that you…
We have waited so long and we are finally done with the winter season. The outside weather is starting to warm up and the catering business is starting to boom with spring events. We wanted to share with you some of the hottest spring trends we are seeing so far in the catering industry. Colors…
Let’s face it, pen and paper just don’t cut it anymore when it comes to managing your catering business. It’s even come to a point that using just Excel or other Microsoft office programs is not enough to keep up with the competition in the catering industry. People are staying competitive and managing their business…
One of the most exciting advances in technology that will impact the way we do business within the event management industry is rising use of the Virtual Reality (VR) capability. It is revolutionizing the way that we work with clients, market destinations and visualize design. The impact of VR on the event planning industry is…
There are many factors that come into play when planning an event. The venue is one of the most important aspects to consider during the event planning process because everything should be centered around it. From the seating to the food and entertainment, your venue will determine what you choose for each. Checkout the below…
Wedding season can be a lucrative time for event managers. According to the Knot, the most popular time of year in most countries for weddings is during the months of June, August September, and October. It’s easy to see why, since those months generally have the best weather. As wedding season approaches this year, we…
As the leading software provider in the diverse event planning industry, we at Caterease have established partnerships with other prominent players to provide our customers with the most robust, feature-rich solution available.
As the leading software provider in the diverse event planning industry, we at Caterease have established partnerships with other prominent players to provide our customers with the most robust, feature-rich solution available. One of those partners is Nowsta – a powerful staff scheduling program specifically designed for the food service industry.
The Catersource tradeshow is always an exciting event, and this Catersource 2018 was one of our most productive and rewarding in years. It was incredibly gratifying to meet with so many of our current users and hear their heartfelt appreciation and incredible stories of success – and it was exciting to see the reactions from…
The restaurant industry is a risky business. It is known to be challenging with an extremely high risk for failure. Today, when the economy can go up or down in a short amount of time, it’s important that restaurateurs keep alternative revenue drivers in mind. Catering is one such alternative that is easily forgotten or…
If you have ever worked in a corporate environment, you know every time you hear the word “corporate” you think of a strict environment that’s boring and full of politics and procedure. You can make the corporate environment fun, and it’s not hard either. Hosting corporate events can be a great way to boost employee…
If you are still using just pen, paper, and spreadsheets to manage your event management business, you are surely missing out on building your business. In a time when technology is involved in pretty much everything we do, it can definitely be an asset for running your business. Continue reading for six ways on how…
Every business within every industry has its challenges. It’s how they face them is what makes them a success or a failure. The hospitality industry is known for its high failure rate, especially in the catering sector. Being in the catering business takes hard work, dedication, and experience to excel. Continue reading for common challenges…
In every company, there are many departments working as one cohesive unit to make the business successful. Sales, Human Resources, Accounting, Support and management at different levels all have an integral part in the day to day operation. However, there is one branch of a business that is potentially the most important piece of this…
At Caterease Software, every tool we produce is developed with the end user in mind – providing the utmost in power and flexibility. And the incredible new Caterease Sales Dashboard is the latest cutting-edge example of this. The Caterease Sales Dashboard can be accessed by an unlimited number of users through any browser, and…
Getting married should be a joyous occasion for all concerned. Unfortunately, budgeting for a wedding may bring unwanted stress. Weddings can be very expensive, and there may be costs associated with your wedding that you may not have anticipated. Here are a couple of items that you may not have thought of and tips to help ensure your special day remains budget friendly.
Today is the day! You have your new restaurant; you have all your shiny kitchen equipment; and you are excited and ready to start making a living doing what you love. Now what? How do you build your brand? When do people start calling in? What kind of food should you make? Most importantly, how…
In a world where more and more professionals include their cell phone numbers on their business cards and email signatures, texting is fast becoming the preferred method of communication.
Throughout history, eating has always been seen as a social activity. Families gather around the table and share stories, while they enjoy a nicely prepared meal. With the growth of Social Media, what we eat has only become more public.
