Catering Cage Podcast

In this eye-opening interview, Garden Catering CEO Frank Carpenteri reveals how his multi-unit restaurant operation transformed their catering strategy from "saying yes to everything" to a focused Monday-to-Friday business lunch model that's driving significant profit margins. Carpenteri shares practical insights on kitchen operations, technology integration, community partnerships, and the coming AI revolution in restaurant catering while emphasizing the importance of focusing on core strengths and consistent client follow-up to create what he calls "a virtuous cycle" where "more catering leads to more retail."

Sponsored by:
OPGA: Off Premise Growth Academy - Join tight-knit communities for catering sales, operations, catering in the c-suite, and catering technology. Find a group that’s right for you and elevate your catering!
https://opga.academy/

RestaurantCatering #B2BFoodService #RestaurantProfits
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Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.

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In this insightful episode of "The Catering Cage," host Erle Dardick interviews Mary Shillue Goldberg, Director of Catering at Clover Food Lab, who shares her journey from making early morning box lunches to leading catering for Boston's beloved vegetarian restaurant chain. Mary reveals practical strategies for building successful catering operations, including prioritizing operational excellence before aggressive sales, training "catering captains," creating compelling in-store displays, and leveraging community resources like Caterlink. With competition intensifying from unexpected quarters like grocery stores and convenience chains, Mary's approach of relationship-building, storytelling, and extending brand experience beyond restaurant walls offers valuable insights for operators looking to grow their off-premise business without compromising quality.

RestaurantCatering #OffPremiseSales #FoodServiceInnovation
Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. ➡ Visit www.savor.fm

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Discover how restaurant operator Nick Panos transformed his family's pizza business into a thriving catering operation through innovative technology and operational excellence. Learn his proven strategies for maximizing profit margins, building effective teams, and leveraging unused capacity to scale your catering business. From custom tech solutions to timely delivery systems, Panos shares practical insights on how restaurants can build sustainable catering revenue streams while maintaining quality and customer satisfaction.

RestaurantCatering #FoodServiceTech #RestaurantBusiness

Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. ➡ Visit www.savor.fm

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Restaurant industry insider Jason Brooks reveals the shocking truth about why most restaurants are leaving MILLIONS on the table with their catering strategies. Discover the hidden fears, critical mistakes, and game-changing solutions that can transform your food service business from struggling to successful. Whether you're a restaurant owner, manager, or aspiring food entrepreneur, this eye-opening breakdown will show you exactly how to unlock massive catering potential and boost your bottom line like never before. Get ready to revolutionize your approach and turn catering from a side project into your most profitable revenue stream!

RestaurantSuccess #CateringPro #FoodServiceInnovation
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Dive into the world of professional catering sales with industry veteran Lance VanHemel as he shares invaluable insights on building a successful B2B catering operation. From managing relationships between sales and operations teams across 42 locations to his proven strategies for identifying high-value accounts, VanHemel reveals the secrets behind his impressive track record. Learn about his lightning-fast response time approach, sophisticated objection handling techniques, and expert tips for targeting specific industries. Whether you're just starting in catering sales or looking to enhance your existing program, this comprehensive guide offers practical strategies you can implement immediately.

CateringSales #RestaurantBusiness #HospitalityIndustry

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Join us for an enlightening conversation with Quinn McKenna, co-founder of Byte Kitchen, as he shares his journey from restaurant operations to tech innovation. Learn how this groundbreaking platform is revolutionizing restaurant catering operations by consolidating multiple marketplace channels into a streamlined system. McKenna discusses how small and medium-sized restaurants can compete with larger enterprises, unlock additional revenue streams, and efficiently manage their catering operations through smart technology solutions.

#RestaurantTech #CateringInnovation #FoodServiceTechnology
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In this insightful discussion about the future of restaurant catering, industry experts explore how technology and operations are evolving to meet growing demand. From capacity management challenges to the integration of AI, the conversation reveals how restaurants are adapting to handle multiple revenue streams while maintaining operational efficiency. The discussion highlights the importance of unified platforms that can handle both catering and takeout operations while maintaining distinct workflows, and emphasizes how data-driven insights and customer engagement are becoming crucial for success in the catering space.

Guest: Lindsay Holl | Sr Sales Engineer at Olo

RestaurantCatering #FoodTech #RestaurantOperations
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📈 Learn More ~  Restaurant Power Index featuring the top 50 brands' performance in consumer sentiment based on 12 performance markers in food, service, and overall brand consumer sentiment. The RPI features historical and current sentiment analysis for key brands based on the overall market sentiment data. Subscribe for weekly reports on the top brands in the restaurant industry. https://www.savor.fm/restaurant-power-index

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In this eye-opening industry review, we explore how restaurants revolutionized their catering operations in 2024 through innovative technology and relationship-building strategies. From massive $400,000 single-event orders to AI-driven ordering systems, discover how leading brands balanced automation with personal touch to dominate the B2B catering space. Learn the secrets behind successful packaging innovations, operational excellence, and why some locations are generating up to 35% of their revenue from catering alone.

RestaurantIndustry #CateringBusiness #FoodTech
🫶 Subscribe NOW - Unlock a world of knowledge, innovation, and growth from the largest podcast network in food service! - https://savorfm.substack.com/

📈 Learn More ~  Restaurant Power Index featuring the top 50 brands' performance in consumer sentiment based on 12 performance markers in food, service, and overall brand consumer sentiment. The RPI features historical and current sentiment analysis for key brands based on the overall market sentiment data. Subscribe for weekly reports on the top brands in the restaurant industry. https://www.savor.fm/restaurant-power-index

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Meet Szabi Bako, the innovative CEO who transformed a family-run catering startup into Helsinki's largest B2B catering operation in just three years. From launching during the pandemic to hitting million-euro revenue, Szabi reveals the crucial differences between drop-off and event catering, why most restaurants fail at B2B catering, and how the right mix of technology, operational excellence, and flexible service can create a thriving catering business. Whether you're a restaurant owner looking to expand or an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, this story shows how taking calculated risks and maintaining unwavering service standards can lead to exceptional growth in the food service industry.

RestaurantBusiness #CateringSuccess #FoodServiceTech
🫶 Subscribe NOW - Unlock a world of knowledge, innovation, and growth from the largest podcast network in food service! - https://savorfm.substack.com/

📈 Learn More ~  Restaurant Power Index featuring the top 50 brands' performance in consumer sentiment based on 12 performance markers in food, service, and overall brand consumer sentiment. The RPI features historical and current sentiment analysis for key brands based on the overall market sentiment data. Subscribe for weekly reports on the top brands in the restaurant industry. https://www.savor.fm/restaurant-power-index

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Discover how Ryan O'Neil's Curate is revolutionizing the catering industry with cutting-edge technology that transforms event management for restaurants. From AI-powered insights to flexible workflow solutions, this game-changing platform helps food service professionals unlock new revenue streams, streamline operations, and create unforgettable dining experiences. Learn how multi-unit restaurant operators can strategically expand into event catering without overwhelming their existing business model.

CateringTech #RestaurantInnovation #FoodServiceStrategy
🫶 Subscribe NOW - Unlock a world of knowledge, innovation, and growth from the largest podcast network in food service! - https://savorfm.substack.com/

📈 Learn More ~  Restaurant Power Index featuring the top 50 brands' performance in consumer sentiment based on 12 performance markers in food, service, and overall brand consumer sentiment. The RPI features historical and current sentiment analysis for key brands based on the overall market sentiment data. Subscribe for weekly reports on the top brands in the restaurant industry. https://www.savor.fm/restaurant-power-index

Follow on X: Savor_fm