Market a Catering Business

Capture the corporate market.

Send a brochure to local businesses in your area letting them know you'd like to cater their functions. Include a link to your website where they can view sample menus. Follow up with a phone call a week after sending the brochure. You can also network with local businesses by joining your Chamber of Commerce.

Weddings.

One easy way to market a catering business is to market your services through local wedding planners and stores that sell wedding related items. You can also rent a booth at local bridal shows in your area.

Private parties.

Private parties that use catering services include bar mitzvahs, bachelor parties, bachelorette parties, anniversary parties, holiday parties, birthday parties, and outdoor parties. To reach this market, post flyers on bulletin boards throughout your local area and advertise in community newspapers. A yellow page ad can also be helpful since people use the yellow pages to look for caterers.

Market a catering business to drug reps.

Drug reps routinely use caterers to get lunch for doctor's offices They can be a source of repeat business for you. To locate a drug rep, park in the lot of a local medical clinic and watch for the drug reps to come out to the parking lot after visiting with the doctors. Give them a copy of your business card as they're leaving.