Barbecue Catering Smarts

In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias welcomes Lauren Laurent, the powerhouse Director of Catering Sales & Marketing at Levy Restaurants — based at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

With 15+ years in hospitality, Lauren brings a rare blend of operational excellence and heartfelt hospitality to some of the nation's largest events and conventions. From serving thousands at once to curating elevated experiences that feel personal, she's mastered the art of listening — not just hearing — to understand client needs and deliver flawlessly every time.

Michael and Lauren discuss:

• How to create memorable experiences that make guests feel valued

• The power of listening as a sales superpower

• Why handwritten notes and human connection still win in a digital age

• How to negotiate large catering contracts (and protect your bottom line)

• The balance between technology, AI, and human touch in hospitality

• How to deliver five-star service at stadium scale

Whether you're running a local restaurant catering operation or managing large-scale corporate events, this episode will inspire you to elevate every touchpoint — from first call to final thank-you note.

Restaurant Catering Smarts is sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software — the all-in-one platform helping caterers streamline operations, save time, and sell more.

In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias welcomes Christin Marvin, founder and CEO of Solutions by Christin. With over 20 years in the hospitality trenches—from line cook to multi-unit operator—Christin now helps restaurant owners and leaders create sustainable success without burning out in the process.

They dive into what it really means to build resilient teams, retain top talent, and lead with clarity—even when the kitchen is on fire (literally or metaphorically). Christin opens up about her early days in a small Missouri town slinging tacos at her favorite Mexican restaurant, and how that journey led to her becoming a leadership coach and consultant to independent restaurants across the country.

You'll hear insights on:

• What's driving burnout in restaurant leadership—and how to stop it.

• The power of culture, communication, and clarity in growing your team.

• How to turn overwhelm into opportunity with a fresh leadership mindset.

Whether you're managing one unit or many, this episode offers practical, heartfelt wisdom to help you lead better, live better, and build a restaurant business that doesn't run you into the ground.

Restaurant Catering Smarts is proudly sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software. Turn your catering chaos into calm—sign up for a free software walkthrough today.

In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias welcomes Terry Matthews, Co-Founder of CaterLinked, a fast-growing community built to connect, educate, and empower catering professionals.

Terry shares how CaterLinked was born out of one big idea: that caterers don't have to compete alone—they can grow stronger together. Through online groups, in-person meetups, and the newly launched CaterLinked Academy, Terry and his team are creating a space where operators can collaborate, share best practices, and accelerate their success.

Michael and Terry talk about the power of curiosity, connection, and community, and why open sharing—not secrecy—is the real key to innovation. They also dive into how education, culture, and technology all intersect to help restaurants turn catering into a scalable, profitable business.

Whether you're a small operator looking for support or a multi-unit brand ready to grow, this episode will inspire you to rethink competition and embrace collaboration as your new business advantage.

Restaurant Catering Smarts is sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software — trusted by restaurants nationwide to simplify catering operations, save time, and increase sales.

In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias sits down with George Westberry, Director of Marketing Initiatives at Red Hot & Blue Barbecue. With 13 years at the brand and a career that began in the back of the house as a chef, George has a unique perspective on how marketing, hospitality, and operations come together to grow both dine-in and catering sales.

George shares how Red Hot & Blue has leveraged community connections, consistent branding, and strategic campaigns to expand catering while staying true to their barbecue roots. He explains why gratitude and kindness are powerful business tools, how cross-functional collaboration fuels growth, and why marketing must have a dedicated focus on catering to succeed.

Michael and George also dive into the evolution of restaurant marketing—from grassroots efforts to the role of technology—and the importance of creating a seamless guest experience across every touchpoint.

If you want practical insights into building catering awareness, aligning marketing with operations, and turning brand values into sales, this conversation is packed with takeaways you can put into practice.

Restaurant Catering Smarts is sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software.

In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias welcomes Kevin Reading, VP of Sales and Community Engagement at Luna Grill.

Kevin shares his journey from hotel catering to leading national catering at Qdoba, and now helping Luna Grill scale its off-premise and catering programs. He dives into the advantages of working in a nimble, entrepreneurial organization, where testing ideas and pivoting quickly drives results.

You'll learn how Kevin focuses on:

• Community engagement as a sales driver
• Building catering programs with flexibility and speed
• The importance of removing friction for customers
• Aligning purpose-driven leadership with profitable growth

Michael and Kevin also explore how technology, relationships, and culture play a role in scaling catering in the fast casual space.

This episode is full of practical insights for operators who want to grow catering without drowning in red tape.

Restaurant Catering Smarts is sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software—the system restaurants trust to save time, stay organized, and increase sales.

In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias welcomes Jenn Saunders-Haynes, Owner & Chief Catering Strategist at Elizabeth Jewel Consulting.

Jenn shares why the three P's—Packaging, Process, and Profit—are the foundation of catering success. From avoiding the trap of copying your full restaurant menu, to choosing functional packaging that protects food quality, to building systems that scale without chaos, she brings decades of hospitality and catering expertise to the conversation.

Michael and Jenn also dive into the importance of data over gut instinct, how to leverage third-party platforms as marketing tools (not your main revenue stream), and creative grassroots ways to grow catering even without a sales team.

Packed with practical insights—from menu design to packaging hacks, sales strategies, and leadership alignment—this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to move beyond "random acts of catering" and build a profitable, scalable program.

Restaurant Catering Smarts is sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software.

In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias welcomes Deborah Miller, Founder of Deborah Miller Catering & Events—one of New York City's most creative and fast-growing catering companies.

Deborah shares her journey from growing up in her father's "greasy spoon" to building a thriving, full-service catering and events business in the heart of Manhattan. She reveals how her team carved out a lucrative niche in micro weddings and intimate, high-impact events, and why personalization, creativity, and a "hospitality-first" mindset have fueled their growth.

They also dive into:

• Adapting to shifting event trends, including post-pandemic demand for smaller, more meaningful celebrations.

• The power of team culture in delivering exceptional client experiences.

• Creative menu development that blends seasonality, presentation, and storytelling.

• Operational systems and technology that keep her business running smoothly even during peak wedding season.

Packed with insights on building a brand that stands out in a competitive market, this episode is a must-listen for caterers and event professionals aiming to grow their business while delighting every client.

Restaurant Catering Smarts is powered by CaterZen Catering Software, the all-in-one platform helping restaurants grow catering sales and streamline operations.

In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias sits down with John Geyerman, Chief Strategy Officer at WOWorks, the parent company behind better-for-you brands like Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, and The Simple Greek.

John brings a wealth of experience from his days at Schlotzsky's and Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, and he dives into the complexities and opportunities of running catering operations across multiple fast-casual brands. From managing brand identities to streamlining logistics, John unpacks how WOWorks approaches growth, guest experience, and operational excellence—all while keeping catering front and center.

You'll learn how they:

• Prioritize catering in the tech stack and operational rollout

• Cross-train teams across different brand concepts

• Use catering to build brand awareness and guest loyalty

Whether you operate one brand or many, this episode is full of smart, strategic takeaways for scaling your catering game without sacrificing quality.

Restaurant Catering Smarts is sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software.

In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias welcomes Christian Hilty, VP of Partnerships at DeliverThat, a delivery logistics platform built specifically for catering.

Christian shares how DeliverThat carved out a niche in the catering world by offering scheduled, white-glove delivery services tailored for large catering orders—a game-changer for restaurants tired of the headaches from third-party delivery apps. You'll hear how DeliverThat helps restaurants boost order accuracy, improve customer satisfaction, and increase repeat business by solving that last-mile logistics problem most operators struggle with.

Michael and Christian dive into:

• Why scheduled delivery beats on-demand for catering

• How DeliverThat integrates with systems like CaterZen to streamline operations

• Real-world use cases and ROI for restaurant partners

• What's next for technology in catering delivery

Whether you're drowning in delivery issues or just looking to level up your catering game, this episode is packed with golden nuggets from someone in the trenches of catering logistics every day.

Restaurant Catering Smarts is sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software, the all-in-one solution for managing and growing your catering business.

In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias sits down with Chris Heffernan, CEO of dlivrd—a last-mile logistics company disrupting the gig delivery space with a focus on transparency, driver empowerment, and AI-driven matchmaking.

Chris shares his vision for a delivery ecosystem where restaurant operators and drivers both win. You'll hear how dlivrd's platform is custom-built for catering—not just another gig app. Think: delivery driver profiles, matching based on capacity and equipment (not just location), and AI that "swipes right" on the perfect driver for every order.

Michael and Chris dive into:

• The flaws of traditional delivery apps for catering orders

• How AI and driver profiling create better outcomes for large orders

• Why culture and community matter, even in the gig economy

• Practical ways caterers can leverage AI, from chatbot customer service to automated menu recommendations

Whether you're running five catering deliveries a week or fifty, this episode will change how you think about delivery logistics.

Restaurant Catering Smarts is powered by CaterZen Catering Software, the all-in-one platform helping restaurants grow catering sales and streamline operations.