Scaling a catering operation isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing it smarter. And no one knows that better than Erle Dardick, founder of CaterLinked and the Off Premises Growth Academy.
In Episode 8 of Restaurant Catering Smarts, I sat down with Erle to talk about the systems, strategies, and mindset shifts that restaurant operators need to grow their off-premises business without burning out. From his early days owning a deli to consulting with national brands, Erle shares what it really takes to scale catering with clarity and confidence.
🎙️ Episode 8: Why Systems, Not Sizzle, Drive Catering Profits with Erle Dardick
In this episode, I sit down with Erle, who’s been in the catering trenches for over 25 years—from running a deli in Vancouver to building tech platforms and consulting with major restaurant brands on off-premises strategy.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I grow catering without losing my mind?”, then this one’s for you.
Here’s what you’ll learn in Episode 8:
✅ Why catering is no longer optional—and how smart restaurants are building it into the core of their business.
✅ How to scale sustainably using tech, repeatable processes, and streamlined systems.
✅ Why clarity is more important than complexity—especially when designing your menu and service model.
✅ How to avoid the biggest mistakes most operators make when growing catering.
✅ Erle’s perspective on the future of off-premises dining—and how you can get ahead of the curve.
He’s like the Yoda of catering—but with better WiFi and a way cooler origin story.
🎧 How to Tune In
You can watch the full video or listen to the episode of the podcast here.
What Is CaterLinked—and Why Does It Matter?
CaterLinked is the first community built specifically for restaurant catering professionals. Whether you’re in leadership, sales, or operations, it’s your home base for connection, education, and support.
Through:
CaterLinked empowers catering teams to scale smarter, grow faster, and execute with more confidence.
Because the truth is simple: systems don’t build catering empires—people do. CaterLinked gives your people the knowledge, feedback, and community support they need to lead the charge.
CaterZen Has Partnered with CaterLinked!
At CaterZen, we’ve always believed that great catering starts with great people—and that investing in your team’s growth is the smartest business decision you can make.
That’s why we’re proud to be CaterLinked’s first official Community Partner. Together, we’re aligned in our mission to help restaurant operators grow catering through better systems and stronger teams.
You’ll now find CaterZen featured in CaterLinked’s Partner Pavilion—a dedicated space where operators can discover tools that drive real results.
Join Us and Save
Want in?
Use our exclusive discount code to get 25% off full CaterLinked membership for 12 months:
Or check it out for FREE with a basic membership here.
Ready to Scale Your Catering Business the Smart Way?
Whether you’re just getting traction with catering or looking to streamline what’s already working, Erle’s insights are a masterclass in clarity, focus, and intentional growth.
The most successful catering operations aren’t winging it—they’re engineering it. With the right systems, the right mindset, and the right tools (hint: CaterZen helps with that), scaling doesn’t have to mean more chaos—it can actually mean less.
So here’s your challenge: listen to this episode, pick one bottleneck in your catering business, and ask yourself, “How can I systematize this?”
Because when you solve for scale, you unlock freedom. More profit. More time. And way fewer fire drills.
