I'm a cater who is trying to stir up lunch time busines on days that I don't have a party. I herd that there is a demand for food delivered to offices at lunch time. has anyone tryed this. If so what are some good menu items and what price are people willing to pay

By Mbw (Mbw) on Sunday, March 31, 2002 - 09:41 am: Edit

Here are your Sandwiches!

Many caterers get into sandwich delivery, and then dump this business once they get bigger parties. This means that the office manager is constantly looking for new caterers to deliver for small office meetings etc..

People will pay from $5-$15 for a sandwich, or pasta with side salad. Charge extra for delivery!!!! I charge $20 one way, $40 one way to the financial district, and an additional $20 if we need to pickup equipment, (coffee pots, bowls, chafers, etc,,)

$5 sandwiches
$3 side salads
$1 cookies

So $9 is a good box lunch.

Drinks are HEAVY!! If they have em GREAT!! Otherwise charge $1 each for soda, bottled water etc.. More for premium.

I have a few prices listed on my page if you want to see www.sfcatering.com The sandwich roulette is a popular one!

HOW TO GET BUSINESS:
Well if they are not alredy calling you, you will need to call them. Your regular clients might not know you do this kind of stuff if you are known for larger events.

When I cold call..... "We cater do you have catered meeting or events? When is your next event? May I speak to you or the person in charge about providing you a proposal for this upcomming event?"

Ok ok I am MUCH more personal when I do it... I have found that offering to give them a proposal rather that do their event outright gives controll to your client, and seems to sell more parties. My clients close themselves.

Oh yeah one more thing...

Make some of your menu vegetarian. Even if you are in Chicago it should be in demand. I do good deli style sandwiches, and vegetarian sandwiches (separate trays), and that covers most everyone.

GL

Mark

By Oldchef (Oldchef) on Friday, May 03, 2002 - 07:55 pm: Edit

As a former restaurant owner/caterer and now an administrator with several offices to oversee, let me tell you we are always looking for a good caterer. Even if we have a few that are good, people get tired of the same stuff over and over. Suggestion: offer to do a tasting. When that happens here, I get all the managers together who are responsible for parties, lunches, etc. and the caterer (unless the food is disgusting) always gets some business. Some problems: late deliveries (meetings have to start on time), "forgotten" items - sometimes breads and desserts, inflexibility as to menu choices. Good luck. The business world needs you!