Growing a catering business isn’t just about making great food—it’s about getting in front of the right customers, responding fast, and delivering an experience that keeps them coming back. That’s exactly how Aron Benon, CEO of LaLa Tacos, built a thriving catering operation with 22 taco carts, a 5,000-square-foot catering kitchen, and a never-ending stream of leads.

When it comes to landing and keeping high-value corporate catering clients, some caterers rely on social media ads and cold email campaigns. But Jessica Lehrer, owner of Adam & Joe’s Gourmet Eatery, takes a different approach—one built on relationships, premium service, and creative marketing.

Some people grow a catering business with big ad budgets and viral marketing campaigns. Butch Scott did it the old-school way—by building trust, keeping things simple, and making sure every customer experience was top-notch.

For over two decades, Butch has been the driving force behind Taylor Grocery Special Events Catering, a $4 million catering operation in Oxford, Mississippi—a town with a population of just 50,000. Instead of relying on paid ads or constant promotions, he focused on what works: keeping a strong customer database, offering menu packages that make ordering easy, and delivering such great service that customers come back again and again.

Growing a catering operation—especially across multiple locations—is no small feat. It takes consistent quality, strong customer relationships, and the right systems in place to keep everything running smoothly. That’s exactly why I was excited to sit down with Amber Polk, Catering Director at Soulman’s Bar-B-Que, for this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts. Amber has helped Soulman’s expand its catering program across 20 locations, all while maintaining the scratch-made quality and hospitality that keeps customers coming back.

At CaterZen, we’re all about empowering restauranteurs to grow their catering businesses, and our Restaurant Catering Smarts podcast is your backstage pass to insights, strategies, and stories from the industry’s best. Hosted by me, Michael Attias, the founder of CaterZen Catering Software, 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 2 of Restaurant Catering Smarts, featuring Julie Wade, Head of Marketing at Taziki’s Mediterranean Café!