Ah, November! The season of cozy family gatherings, pumpkin pies, and—of course—turkey. For many of us, Thanksgiving is the highlight of the year, but did you know that it’s also the most important time for the catering industry? Restaurants, caterers, and hospitality professionals know this is prime time, with orders pouring in and kitchens working overtime to ensure that every holiday feast is perfect. It’s a big month, and if you’re in the catering biz, the pressure is on—but so are the rewards!
With the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving over, let's dive into some exciting news from the restaurant catering world that took place in November!
Cartwheel's Big Milestone: A Game-Changer for Restaurant Brands That Do Catering! 🚀
Last week marked a HUGE milestone for Cartwheel, and trust us, this one is going to make waves in the catering world! Cartwheel has just released a major new feature that is set to revolutionize the way restaurant brands handle catering. Whether you’re managing large corporate events or intimate gatherings, this update brings a ton of value, simplifying workflows and boosting efficiency for restaurant brands everywhere. You can read all about it and check out the details on LinkedIn here. With more streamlined processes, this is sure to be a game-changer for restaurant brands looking to grow their catering operations in the coming year!
Omnicart's Restaurant Catering Workshop Recap 📅
We also had a blast recently hosting our webinar which recapped the Restaurant Catering Workshop conference, where we explored some exciting trends and shared how restaurants can optimize their catering operations. We covered everything from making the most of online ordering systems to growing your catering revenue—trust us, if you missed it, you’re going to want to catch the replay!
The webinar also showcased a sneak peek of Omnicart's brand-new feature—our integration with Catering Rewards! This partnership is a total win for restaurant owners. By linking up with CateringRewards, restaurants can save on fees while simultaneously growing their catering businesses. Now that’s what we call a win-win! For those who haven’t heard of Catering Rewards, it’s an awesome platform that helps restaurant owners earn rewards and access discounts, making it easier than ever to scale your catering business without breaking the bank. You can learn more about them here.
Dig's Brilliant Strategy to Boost 1st Party Orders this Thanksgiving 🦃
As if the turkey season wasn’t already exciting enough, Dig has taken a brilliant step in marketing their Thanksgiving turkey—exclusively offering it on their first-party channels. That’s right, no third-party platforms. If you want to get your hands on that delicious, juicy turkey, you’ve got to order directly through Dig's website or app.
This move isn’t just about the turkey (though, let’s be real, that’s a pretty amazing bonus!). It’s a perfect example of the direction the catering industry is heading as restaurant owners and operators make moves to regain first-party customers from the clutches of third-party platforms. By incentivizing customers to order directly, Dig is not only maximizing profits by avoiding hefty commission fees but also creating a more personal relationship with their clientele—something third-party platforms just can’t match.
This is the kind of strategy we expect to see more of as restaurants look for ways to recapture control over their customer base. The shift from third-party reliance to first-party ownership is becoming a crucial focus for many restaurant operators, and Dig's decision to use Thanksgiving as a launchpad for this strategy is an exciting step toward a more sustainable and profitable future for restaurants.
Hot Catering Trends You Need to Know About 🍕🍱
The catering industry was buzzing with exciting trends last month! Let’s take a look at some of the biggest changes and shifts happening in the world of catering:
- Increased Business Catering Demand 📈: With companies geared up for holiday parties, the demand for business catering skyrocketed! According to recent reports, 43% of companies increased their catering budgets for the season, with an average spend of $44 per guest. Offices aimed to impress their teams, and catering was a top way to do it. So if you’re in the catering business, times like November are the time to make sure your services are ready to handle the increased demand!
- Restaurant Expansions Everywhere! 🏙️: Austin's culinary scene just got even hotter with Micklethwait Craft Meats opening its first-ever brick-and-mortar location, ditching the food truck and giving locals even more delicious options! This is just one example of the restaurant expansion boom happening across the U.S. As more businesses recognize the importance of catering as a revenue stream, we’re seeing a surge in restaurant openings and expansion—especially in the catering-focused market.
- Health-Conscious Catering Is on the Rise 🌱: Customers are becoming more health-conscious, and they want their catering choices to reflect that! We’re seeing an increasing demand for vegan, gluten-free, and diet-specific menus that still deliver on flavor. Catering businesses that offer these options are seeing more and more success, particularly as people seek nutritious yet indulgent bites for their events.
Wrapping It All Up! 🎁
As we wrap up November and head into the final stretch of the year, the catering industry is buzzing with new tech, fresh trends, and incredible partnerships that are shaping the future of dining. From Cartwheel’s new feature release to Omnicart’s exciting new integration with Catering Rewards, it’s clear that innovation is at the heart of the industry. Plus, with an uptick in business catering demand and restaurant expansions, the future of catering looks brighter than ever!
Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to check out all the amazing resources out there to help your restaurant thrive in the catering space. 🍽️✨
Here’s to a fantastic end of the year and even more success in 2025! 🌟