We’ve been tossing around the term “game-changer” for a while, but this time, it’s no exaggeration.
At CaterZen, we’re thrilled to introduce the biggest catering CRM update we’ve ever released—an overhaul that will transform how you manage tasks, reminders, and client follow-ups, all while keeping things simple, organized, and cost-effective.
If you’ve ever felt bogged down by managing calls, emails, and to-dos in your CRM, this is the update you’ve been waiting for. We’ve taken inspiration from some of the best CRMs out there and tailored it specifically for catering businesses like yours.
Streamlined Task Creation with Standardized Subject Lines
Consistency is key when managing a busy catering operation. That’s why we’ve introduced standard subject lines for task creation. Admins can create predefined subject lines, allowing your team to pick from a standardized list when creating tasks. This not only speeds up task creation but also makes it easier to filter and find similar tasks later on.
For example, your team could use predefined subjects like "Quarterly Check-In", "Post-Event Call", or "Invoice Reminder Email" to standardize tasks and keep things organized across the board. Employees will spend less time thinking about what to call a task and more time focusing on getting it done.
Learn more about creating teams and assigning employees to teams, and how to manage who can create subject lines and be assigned to tasks.
Time Zones for Seamless Scheduling
In a catering business, managing teams across different time zones can be tricky. To make sure tasks, meetings, and reminders are always in sync, we’ve added time zone support. Each employee’s task due dates and reminders will adjust to their local time, ensuring everyone is on the same page, no matter where they’re working.
Time-Saving Follow-Up Prompts Built Into the Flow
We know how busy catering businesses get. That’s why we’ve built automated follow-up prompts directly into your workflow. After you complete a task, you’ll automatically be prompted to create a note and a follow-up task—saving you time and making sure no customer interaction slips through the cracks.
And here’s the kicker: these prompts are designed to suggest best-practice marketing tactics, like rebooking events or upselling services. We’ve taken the guesswork out of following up, ensuring your team is always on top of key client interactions—whether it’s reminding a corporate client about their next holiday party or following up with a wedding client to plan future events.
Stay On Top of Everything with the Task List
Keeping track of every task related to a catering order can be tough—especially when you’re juggling multiple events, clients, and follow-ups. Our new Task List keeps everything in one easy-to-navigate place. Whether you need to follow up on a customer inquiry, schedule a tasting, or check in after an event, it’s all right there at your fingertips.
You can filter tasks by type (emails, calls, or to-dos), due dates, or even team assignments. Need to reassign tasks or make changes on the fly? It’s a snap with our bulk editing tools. No more dropped balls, missed follow-ups, or uncompleted tasks.
Task Notes and Standalone Notes: Stay Organized
You’ll also love how we’ve streamlined task notes. Now, every task has its own note, which is accessible directly from the task page. Task notes are visible alongside your standalone notes that aren’t tied to a task, giving you the flexibility to keep all your important client details in one place.
Best of all, you can highlight these notes on a contact record, making them easily visible when you or your team is looking at a customer’s profile. Want to flag a customer as a VIP or remind the team that the client prefers gluten-free options? Just highlight the note, and it’ll always be front and center.
Rebooking and Quote Reminders: Never Miss a Follow-Up
For catering businesses, rebooking repeat clients is pure gold. That’s why we’ve made sure that rebooking and quote reminders are now integrated into your task list. After placing an order or creating a quote, you’ll be prompted to set up a task for following up. This automatic step keeps your pipeline full without extra effort on your part.
You can adjust due dates and reminders for these tasks to fit your schedule, and like any other task, they’ll show up in your task list, so they’re never forgotten.
Why Catering Businesses Need Task Management Like This
For restaurants that cater and full-time catering businesses, having a strong CRM with task management features isn’t just nice—it’s essential. Whether it’s a task to follow up with a customer after an event, reminding a corporate client about a future order, or simply managing the day-to-day details of each event, the right tools can make the difference between thriving and barely keeping up.
With CaterZen’s new CRM and task management system, you’ll have everything you need to keep clients happy, staff organized, and operations running smoothly. You can assign tasks in several ways: to yourself, to specific employees, or to entire teams, like a call center. This flexibility ensures that the right person—or group—is always responsible for the task, making it easy to collaborate on larger events or stay on top of recurring follow-ups. Plus, employees can see tasks assigned to their team, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
The Future Is Bright for Catering Sales Teams
We’re just getting started with our CRM and task management overhaul. We’re laying the groundwork for even more powerful updates in the future.
Soon, we’ll be rolling out a Sales Pro license specifically designed for sales teams—or even individual salespeople—looking to up their game. Some of the exciting tools on the horizon include the ability to place and take calls directly from your browser, send email sequences for drip marketing, scan business cards into your CRM instantly, and manage deals with a pipeline feature to keep track of every opportunity.
Visit Us at FSTEC!
If you’re in the Grapevine, Texas area, don’t miss the chance to stop by our booth at FSTEC, the #1 foodservice technology conference. From September 16-18, we’ll be there showcasing our latest software updates and giving you a sneak peek at what’s coming next.
FSTEC brings together restaurant operators from all segments and sizes for 2.5 days of learning, networking, and exploring the best technology solutions for the industry. We’d love to meet you and show you how CaterZen can revolutionize your catering operations!
Grow Catering Sales and Enhance Your Marketing with CaterZen
We know that managing catering tasks, follow-ups, and client relationships can be overwhelming. That’s why our new CRM and task management system is built to simplify everything and give you more time to focus on what you do best—growing your catering business.
Ready to see the difference it can make? Start your 30-day free trial of CaterZen today, or sign up for a quick-start training session to get you up and running in no time. Your next game-changing tool is just a click away.
