Catering Services

Catering Services

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry provide single-event food services at customer-owned and company-owned facilities. Catering companies typically operate as local businesses; major US-based companies include Abigail Kirsch (New York), Behind the Scenes Catering (San Diego), Blue Plate Chicago (Chicago), and Legendary Events (Atlanta).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Corporate profits and consumer income are the main drivers of demand for catering services. The profitability of individual companies depends on cost controls and effective marketing. Large companies have advantages in offering expanded services such as facilities management, room rental, and entertainment. Small companies can compete effectively by serving small groups and offering personalized service. The industry is highly fragmented: the top 50 US companies account for less than 15% of industry revenuee.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major services include off-premises catering (food prepared away from the premises where it is served) which accounts for about 15% of the industry revenue, and on-premises catering (meals prepared and served at the same location which accounts for about 75%. Other services include alcohol sales which accounts for about 7% and facility rentals which accounts for about 2% of the industry revenue.