Catermind: Takeaways from the Restaurants Workshop
Catermind's fifth session brought together leaders and innovators from the catering industry to delve into key topics and actionable strategies, building on insights from the recent Restaurant Catering Workshop held in Denver. This workshop, hosted by Erle Dardick—dubbed the “Godfather of Catering”—set the stage for meaningful conversations about the future of catering operations, technology, and sales.
The Session’s Highlights
1. Driving Catering Sales
The session opened with a panel exploring proven strategies to boost catering sales. Industry leaders like Jessica Serrano (CMO, Dig) and Tracy Avolio (CSO, New Catering Connections) discussed approaches to sales team structures, outsourcing, and customer relationship management. The importance of balancing first-party orders with third-party platforms was a key takeaway, with tips for achieving the ideal 80/20 split.
2. Catering Technology
Moderated by Nader Samadyan, this segment addressed the role of point-of-sale systems and comprehensive solutions for catering. Mo Asgari provided deep insights into the evolution of catering-specific ERP systems, emphasizing their importance for scaling operations and maintaining excellence. A key takeaway was the growing need for tailored tools to manage the complexities of B2B catering.
3. Takeaways from Restaurant Brands
Panelists Amanda Quinn, Sabrina Jenkins, and Hannah Bradbury shared their experiences and lessons from implementing catering strategies in their respective brands. They discussed the significance of creating strong sales strategies, intentional marketing plans, and personalized customer touchpoints to foster growth and retention.
Community and Collaboration
Catermind’s mission remains steadfast: knowledge sharing, community support, and fostering connections among restaurant brands, catering experts, and technology providers. This session was no exception, with discussions centered on collaborative solutions to address challenges like order management, customer data, and delivery efficiency.
As a bonus, updates on Omnicart’s integration with partners like New Catering Connections and Catering Rewards showcased how technology can drive seamless operations and customer engagement.
Watch the Full Session
Missed Catermind: Takeaways from the Restaurants Workshop? You can watch the full recording here
This session demonstrated the power of collaboration and shared expertise in solving the catering industry’s challenges.
Join Us for Future Sessions
Missed this session? Stay connected to Catermind for upcoming opportunities to engage with industry experts and innovative solutions. Together, we’re shaping the future of catering.