Episode 4: Scaling Southern Hospitality with Butch Scott, Owner of Taylor Grocery Special Events Catering

episode-4-butch-scott

 

In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias welcomes Butch Scott, Owner/Operator of Taylor Grocery Special Events Catering in Taylor, Mississippi. With over two decades in the restaurant and catering industry, Butch has built a multi-million-dollar catering business rooted in southern hospitality, consistency, and customer relationships.

Butch shares his journey from running Abbeville Catfish to scaling Taylor Grocery’s catering operations to nearly $4 million in annual sales—all in a town of just 50,000 people. He dives into:

✅ The power of a well-maintained customer database and how it fueled a 10x revenue increase

✅ The importance of menu packaging to simplify sales and operations

✅ Why relationships & word-of-mouth marketing still outperform traditional advertising

✅ How technology & AI are shaping the future of catering sales and marketing

From corporate drop-offs to high-end weddings, Butch has seen it all and shares his best strategies for scaling a catering business while maintaining quality and service. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your catering sales to the next level, this episode is packed with insights you can apply today!

 

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Top Takeaways for Catering Success

✅ Your Database is Your Most Valuable Asset – Butch attributes much of his catering growth to maintaining and leveraging a strong customer database. Keeping records of past clients, their preferences, and order history allows for repeat business and targeted marketing.

✅ Consistency is Key – With over $4 million in sales, Butch emphasizes the importance of menu packaging and standardizing offerings to make it easy for customers to order while ensuring kitchen efficiency.

✅ Word-of-Mouth is Still the Best Marketing – Instead of spending big on advertising, Butch has built his catering business on customer relationships, referrals, and reputation—proving that delivering great food and service leads to more business.

✅ Don’t Reinvent the Wheel—Copy What Works – Butch credits much of his success to learning from others in the industry and applying proven marketing and operational strategies rather than trying to create everything from scratch.

✅ Email Marketing Works—If You Do It Right – A single tailgating email campaign filled up his catering calendar for the entire football season. Strategic, well-timed emails keep catering top-of-mind for customers.

✅ Training and Leadership Matter – Butch has mentored and trained his team to run the business effectively, ensuring scalability and freeing himself up from day-to-day operations.

✅ Diversification Helps You Stay Resilient – When his largest catering segment (University of Mississippi events) was cut off, Butch pivoted by aggressively expanding into weddings, ensuring a steady revenue stream despite industry shifts.

✅ AI and Automation are the Future – While Butch started with handwritten notes and Rolodexes, he now sees the value of AI, CRM systems, and automation in sales and marketing, making it easier to manage relationships at scale.

✅ Relationships Build Longevity – After two decades in the business, Butch continues to prioritize personal connections with clients, ensuring repeat business and long-term success.

Juicy Sound Bites

🔹 “Your brand isn’t what you say it is—it’s what your customers experience every time they order from you.”

🔹 “I started with a spreadsheet and a phone, just calling old customers—and that’s how I built a million-dollar catering business.”

🔹 “I wasn’t ready to retire, but I also didn’t want to start over from scratch. The key was finding the right person to mentor and hand the reins to.”

🔹 “We don’t try to reinvent the wheel—we copy what works and make it our own.”

🔹 “Catering is about trust. When you show up and deliver every time, customers don’t shop around—they come straight to you.”

🔹 “We sent one email about tailgating catering—and boom, we booked orders for the entire season.”

🔹 “I used to do all the marketing myself, but hiring someone to do it consistently and professionally increased our sales by 35% in a year.”

🔹 “People are busy. They don’t need 50 menu options—they need simple packages that make it easy to say yes.”

🔹 “If you’re not building your customer database, you’re leaving money on the table. Your database is your safety net.”

🔹 “I’m not looking to be cutting-edge. I just want to do what works—again and again.”