Back in the day, catering software was basically a glorified calendar with some order forms attached. Fast forward to 2026, and the demands are far more intense. Rising food costs, labor headaches, delivery complexity, and customers who expect Amazon-style convenience? That’s the new normal.

So if you're a restaurant owner or catering manager trying to grow your off-premise revenue without losing your sanity, this guide is for you. We’re diving into the top catering software platforms for 2026 - what they do well, where they fall short, and which one might be your secret weapon.

At CaterZen Catering Software, our mission is simple: give restaurateurs the tools, systems, and insights to grow their catering businesses while taking back their time. And our Restaurant Catering Smarts podcast is your all-access pass to strategies, stories, and straight talk from some of the best operators in the business.

Every episode, I sit down with someone who’s in the trenches—someone who knows what it really takes to grow catering in today’s world. And Episode 23 is packed with gold bars.

Today’s guest? Amanda Quinn, Director of Catering at Viva Chicken.
A powerhouse. A relationship builder. And one of the scrappiest, smartest catering leaders you’ll ever hear from.

If you’ve been in the catering business longer than a minute, you already know one thing: when things go wrong, they don’t do it politely. It’s never “Oops, my online ordering is glitchy” at 2PM on a slow Tuesday. Nope. It’s a 200-person lunch drop for a pharmaceutical client, and suddenly, your system won’t let you close an order.

That’s when support matters. And not just any support - CaterZen support.

At CaterZen, we’re all about helping restaurateurs grow thriving catering operations that bring in more sales — with less stress. Our Restaurant Catering Smarts podcast is your backstage pass to the strategies, systems, and stories that drive success in the catering world.

Hosted by me, Michael Attias, founder of CaterZen Catering Software, each episode dives deep into what works in the real world — from sales and marketing to systems and leadership — all designed to help you grow your catering business smarter.

We’re thrilled to release Episode 22 of Restaurant Catering Smarts, featuring Lauren Laurent, Director of Catering Sales & Marketing at Levy Restaurants — one of the nation’s top hospitality groups serving everything from stadiums to convention centers.

Lauren oversees catering at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, where she and her team pull off events that serve thousands — yet still feel personal, intentional, and memorable.

If you’re juggling quotes, menus, BEOs, drivers, production sheets, and invoices with a heroic mix of spreadsheets and screenshots… I’ve lived that movie. Catering software is the upgrade. Think of it as your catering management system - one place to sell, produce, deliver, and grow without burning out your team.

At CaterZen Catering Software, we don’t just build software—we help restaurant owners build empires…without losing their minds in the process. And our Restaurant Catering Smarts podcast is where we pull back the curtain on what actually works to grow, lead, and scale a catering business today.

Hosted by me, Michael Attias, founder of CaterZen, every episode is designed to help you squeeze more profit out of your catering ops, lead stronger teams, and actually enjoy running your restaurant again.

Let me take you back to one Christmas Eve that changed everything.

I was going through a divorce. I ducked into a McDonald’s - yes, your favorite place for a sad cheeseburger and self-reflection. The woman behind the counter handed me a Christmas card she bought with her own money.

I cried.

Not just because it was kind, but because it reminded me that the smallest acts of planning ahead - a card, a call, a catering order - can make someone’s day.

And that, my friend, is exactly what the holiday catering season is about: making magic with the least amount of chaos possible.

So, let’s talk about how you can use CaterZen's all-in-one catering software to crush the holidays without crushing your soul.

At CaterZen Catering Software, we’re all about helping restaurateurs and caterers grow smarter, faster, and more profitably. That’s why our Restaurant Catering Smarts podcast exists - to give you real stories, real strategies, and real results from the people shaping the future of catering.

Hosted by me, Michael Attias, founder of CaterZen, and in every episode, my goal is simple: to hand you practical, actionable ideas you can take straight back to your business.

And in this brand-new episode, we’re diving into something I personally believe is changing the game for our industry - collaboration over competition.

Let me level with you: in today’s world, your catering website is just as important as your food. Customers aren’t just walking through your front door - they’re coming through your digital one first. And if that digital door isn’t open wide enough for everyone, you’ve got two big problems:

1. You could get sued.
2. You’re turning away paying customers.

At CaterZen Catering Software, we’re all about empowering restaurateurs to grow their catering businesses. Our Restaurant Catering Smarts podcast is your backstage pass to insights, strategies, and stories from the industry’s best.

Hosted by me, Michael Attias, founder of CaterZen, each episode is designed to help you level up your catering game with actionable advice and real-world success stories.

We’re excited to announce Episode 19 of Restaurant Catering Smarts, featuring George Westberry, Director of Marketing Initiatives at Red Hot & Blue!