In the ever-competitive catering industry, it's crucial to leverage the right tools to increase efficiency, improve customer service, and drive revenue growth. Here's how CaterZen's comprehensive catering software solution helped Taylor Grocery Special Events Catering in Oxford, Mississippi save time, amplify their marketing efforts, and provide an exceptional customer experience, all while increasing their annual sales from $39k to nearly $1.5 million.
Setting the Stage: Taylor Grocery Before CaterZen
When Butch Scott took over Taylor Grocery Special Events Catering in 2006, the business was performing modestly with annual sales of around $38-39k. The process of managing orders, prep sheets, and loading sheets for events was largely manual and time-consuming, often requiring a full afternoon just to prepare for the weekend's events.
The Culinary Conundrum: Manual Labor vs. Software Solution
As business began to grow, the challenge of managing multiple orders, keeping track of the inventory, and maintaining customer relationships became increasingly daunting. On game days at the nearby University of Mississippi, it wasn't uncommon for Taylor Grocery to receive over a hundred orders. The situation was further complicated by the lack of a suitable software solution that could adequately streamline and simplify their business operations.
"I could not have done any of this without CaterZen. It's not unusual for us to have a hundred plus orders on a game day... and there is no way we could do all those orders without CaterZen. It makes it so easy for us to do that... It's a complete software program. I use it for everything from marketing to accounting... It's the best decision I ever made."
Butch Scott, COO, Taylor Grocery Special Events Catering
Saving Time with CaterZen Right Off the Bat
In 2015, Butch turned to CaterZen, a comprehensive software solution for catering businesses. Having previously met Michael Attias, CaterZen's Founder and President, and being familiar with his understanding of the catering business, Butch decided to implement the software in his own operations.
The impact of CaterZen was immediate. The once arduous and time-consuming task of preparing for events was reduced to mere button clicks, saving Butch approximately 10 to 15 hours each week.
The Revenue Impact of CaterZen's Suite of Tools
In addition to saving time on operations, CaterZen also served as a potent marketing tool for Taylor Grocery Special Events Catering. By 2019, the company had seen a massive increase in its annual sales, reaching nearly $1.5 million.
One of the software's most valuable features was its catering delivery manager module, which not only allowed customers to track their orders in real time but also prompted them to tip the delivery person upon order completion. This feature was greatly appreciated by both customers and delivery staff.
Furthermore, CaterZen's built-in reminder system allowed the business to stay in touch with past customers. For instance, when a reminder popped up about an event from two years prior, Butch was able to reach out to the customer and rebook the event, adding approximately $6-7k to their revenue.
Reliable and Responsive: CaterZen's Unmatched Client Support
Despite the occasional minor issues, Butch praises CaterZen's customer service as top-notch. Anytime a problem arises, he is quickly reassured that his issue is being handled, emphasizing the critical role CaterZen plays in running his business.
The CaterZen team ensures that every client feels heard and supported from the moment they send a support ticket. Prompt email confirmations followed by personalized responses demonstrate CaterZen's commitment to resolving issues swiftly and efficiently.
Grow Your Catering Sales with CaterZen
If you'd like to see similar results, take the software for a spin by signing up for a free 30-day trial, or schedule a free "Non-Demo" Demo with our team, who can help you to uncover how our software can benefit your specific business needs.
Also, check out more client testimonials and case studies to hear directly from clients about how CaterZen has changed the trajectory of their restaurants and catering businesses.