Catering Cage Podcast

Jen Saunders-Haynes, Subway's Global Catering Director, offers invaluable insights into the evolving catering industry. She emphasizes the importance of treating catering as a distinct business, highlights the challenges of scaling operations in a multi-unit environment, and discusses the potential impact of automation and AI on the future of catering. Haynes stresses the significance of local engagement, relationship-building, and providing exceptional service to ensure repeat business. She also touches on the blurring lines between different off-premises channels and provides encouragement to industry professionals, advising them to stay passionate and be their own advocates in this dynamic field.
CateringInnovation #SubwayStrategy #FutureOfFoodService
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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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Michael Attias, founder of CaterZen and a veteran restaurant operator, has emerged as a visionary in the catering technology industry. With over 15 years of experience, Attias transformed his firsthand knowledge of catering challenges into a comprehensive software solution. CaterZen, launched in 2008, addresses the unique needs of restaurant catering operations, streamlining order management, production, and delivery. Attias emphasizes the importance of understanding catering as a distinct business within restaurants, advocating for tailored technological solutions and strategic approaches to boost profitability. His insights continue to shape the industry as he shares his expertise at events like the upcoming Restaurant Catering Workshop in Denver.

#CateringTech #RestaurantInnovation #FoodServiceSolutions
🫶 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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In a recent discussion, industry experts Erle Dardick, Bill Holloman, and Samir Wagle emphasized the critical importance of leadership development and training in the catering and B2B food sector. They highlighted the complexity of integrating off-premises programs with existing restaurant operations and stressed the need for a standardized approach. The experts advocated for investing in people through specialized training and certification programs, arguing that well-trained teams are crucial for success in this growing market. They concluded that prioritizing leadership development not only addresses the industry's need for specialized talent but also helps restaurants position themselves as leaders in the evolving food service landscape.

CateringLeadership #B2BFoodIndustry #RestaurantInnovation
🫶 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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🫶 Subscribe NOW - Unlock a world of knowledge, innovation, and growth from the largest podcast network in food service! - https://savorfm.substack.com/

Seasoned restaurant industry veterans TJ Shear and Sam Stanovich share their hard-won insights on successfully integrating catering into the restaurant business, emphasizing the importance of building a dedicated catering sales force, community engagement, and leveraging their new book "The Smart Restaurant Guide to Catering Domination" and an upcoming workshop to help restaurant owners unlock the full potential of this lucrative revenue stream.

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

The catering industry is undergoing significant changes driven by technology and evolving delivery models. Experts from Jason's Deli and DeliverThat highlight the importance of managing third-party deliveries, leveraging AI for operations, and potentially returning to first-party delivery solutions. Successful catering operations require treating it as a distinct business, focusing on menu management, identifying a niche, and maintaining high standards in packaging and timing. Networking within the industry emerges as a crucial factor for staying informed about best practices and new technologies, emphasizing the value of community in driving innovation and problem-solving in catering.

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

The catering industry is undergoing significant changes, with multi-unit restaurants recognizing its potential as a major revenue stream. Expert Kelly Grogan highlights the untapped opportunities in catering, emphasizing the need for dedicated leadership and resources. While technology integration is crucial for streamlining operations, maintaining human relationships remains essential. The emerging "food at work" movement is expanding B2B food service opportunities beyond traditional catering. To succeed, restaurants must prioritize catering in their business strategy, discuss it in every team meeting, and adapt to evolving market trends.

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

Jason Schlenker, a veteran in the customer service industry and representative of Inktel Contact Center Solutions, shared insights on centralized phone systems for restaurants and retail businesses in a recent interview. With over 26 years of experience, Inktel supports major brands across various sectors, improving customer experience and boosting sales, particularly in catering and takeout. Schlenker emphasized the importance of efficient call handling, proactive customer relationship management, and the complementary role of AI in customer service. He expressed optimism about the future of the Business Process Outsourcing industry and will be sharing more insights at the upcoming Restaurant Catering Workshop in Denver.

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

Notable success stories include Panera Bread, which reported that catering made up 10% of its sales in 2019, and Chipotle, whose catering business has seen double-digit growth in recent years.
This insightful discussion on "Catering Cage" offers valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of the food service industry. As restaurants and catering businesses navigate these trends, adaptability and innovation will be key to success in the future.

📈 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

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

The catering and food-at-work movement is emerging as a crucial revenue stream for restaurants, offering significant growth potential in the business-to-business sector. Industry expert Erle Dardick emphasizes the need for restaurants to invest in specialized technology, training, and sales teams to capitalize on this opportunity. As economic pressures mount, there's a potential resurgence in employer-provided meals, echoing practices from the early 1900s. The future of catering involves increased efficiency through automation, standalone order management systems, and potentially transforming restaurants into multi-channel food manufacturers. While some chains excel in catering, many brands have yet to tap into this lucrative market fully, making it a critical area for innovation and growth in the evolving restaurant industry.

📈 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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