Marketing ideas for a catering company

[agreen_112]

Hey guys, just wondering if any of you have any good marketing ideals for pitching/selling a catering service.

I'm trying to get my hobby and love of BBQ out there to the public. My dream is to one day have a small restaurant but for now I'm taking jobs as a personal chef/caterer if you will.

I've done a graduation and a private party for a distant relative so far this year and I absolutely love cooking for large groups of people. I've also done a few other small events. I make Chicken, Ribs, Pulled Pork and all the fixings. Most of my pork is cooked slow over a low flame with natural wood. My chicken is beer canned and cooked in ovens because not everyone likes smoked meats, especially chicken.

Basically, I got started by bringing my pulled pork to gatherings at work and other get togethers. People love my food, so naturally conversation starts. I tell them what I'm doing, that I sell this stuff by the pound and I also sell a service. Networking and giving out free food have started the word of mouth but I need more marketing ideas.

I do not know much about business, but I definitely have the drive and the willingness to learn as much as possible. I have so many ideas for starting businesses and making money but I just don't know how to get started.

There are not too many backyard BBQ'rs that offer catering in my area so I think this would really take off in peak season. I'm hoping by the spring of next year I'll really be ready to get this company off the ground and make it a nice full-time side gig.

I'm thinking networking through gathering is my best bet. Doing things like tailgating as High School/College/Professional sporting events in my area and giving out the pork for free or selling for very cheap to break even will get some gigs... I kind of want to stay away from vending (festivals, carnivals, and fairs) for liscensing reasons.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Scottishbengal]

Basically, I got started by bringing my pulled pork to gatherings at work

Hey, thats how I got started.......................no, wait, thats how I got ARRESTED!

[Ickey44]

LMAO! Scottishbengal, the other white meat.

[agreen_112]

LOL. I guess there aren't many entrepreneurs here.

Anyone own their own business?

[BengalPimp]

I do. However, the best advice I can probably give you, depending on how serious you are, and how much you'd like your business to grow, is to take some business classes, even at a community college. You need to have a business plan/model going into it. I would like to tell you...do this...or do that, but Honestly, its not that easy. It took me quite some time to get to where I am now. You have to expect some failures/setbacks, but stay focused.

While my business is Property Management/Real Estate, thats what I have extensive knowledge of. I unfortunately don't know too much about the catering/restaurant business. I know you are a very busy man, however if you can spare an hour and a half twice a week, take a business class.

I wish I could be of more help, but unfortunately catering/food is not my area of expertise...Sorry Bro.

P.S. If youre just looking for a small start, I'd say go "old school" and just print out some flyers with some catchy logo, and stick them on some windshields in your nearby area.

[HoosierCat]

While my writing career has dealt with a lot of retail, foodservice hasn't been a specialty. Aside from the "duh" stuff -- like if you do events where you hand out free food, be sure to have business cards to give out with each freebie -- I can't offer much. Some folks I used to work with run this site: http://www.monkeydish.com/ which is more geared toward the small restauranteur, but if you poke around you may find something useful.

EDIT: funny, just clicked on that link to make sure it worked and right up front is a link to a catering site: https://www.catersource.com/index.asp

[agreen_112]

Thanks for the tips guys... I would really like the oppurtunity to take a few classes, as a matter of fact, I would love to be able to do that... It pisses me off that I don't have the time. My family wouldn't get by if I didn't work as much as I do.

I look at my company where I've worked my way up a bit. It's a small 15 million dollar per year business and I see that we have created a 100 million dollar per year service division for Cintas and I think "I can do what they do. I can provide this same service in my area. I know this product more than anybody." If I can just get one little piece of that pie, I'd be set. How I do that, I have no idea?

The catering thing would be something that I'd love to do on the side. Maybe I'll print up some flyers. Thanks for the links.

[Scottishbengal]

Thanks for the tips guys... I would really like the oppurtunity to take a few classes, as a matter of fact, I would love to be able to do that... It pisses me off that I don't have the time. My family wouldn't get by if I didn't work as much as I do.

I look at my company where I've worked my way up a bit. It's a small 15 million dollar per year business and I see that we have created a 100 million dollar per year service division for Cintas and I think "I can do what they do. I can provide this same service in my area. I know this product more than anybody." If I can just get one little piece of that pie, I'd be set. How I do that, I have no idea?

The catering thing would be something that I'd love to do on the side. Maybe I'll print up some flyers. Thanks for the links.

If you're looking to do the catering on the side then why don't you look into "specialist" markets - such as weddings. You could limit your bookings per week to whatever suits you and it would be at the lucrative end of the catering spectrum. Just a thought.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Here's some catering advice. Don't EVER serve any of these following foods.