21 Proven Catering Marketing Ideas to Drive Business Momentum

The catering industry is highly competitive, making it all the more important to stand out. A study by IBIS World shows there are approximately 102,000 active catering businesses in the US. With so many options out there, it’s crucial to ensure your food and beverage services are the ones everyone is talking about

From developing a comprehensive marketing plan to utilizing modern digital strategies, with the right ideas, you can attract new catering customers and motivate them to continue ordering from you. However, some caterers use outdated marketing practices and waste both time and money.  

To save you from such costly mistakes, we’ve gathered 21 valuable and results-driven marketing ideas to help caterers like you boost business momentum. Let's take a closer look at these marketing catering ideas and how to implement them.

Knowing the 7Ps of a Successful Marketing Plan  

The foundation of any successful catering business is a well-structured plan, and the 7 Ps of marketing offer a comprehensive framework. Before diving right into making a marketing plan, know these 7 Ps:

1. Product: What are your catering business's unique offerings? This includes the type of cuisine, special diet options, and presentation styles. Do you want to specialize in corporate catering services, vegan menus, or something else? 
2. Price: Pricing strategies, including discounts, package deals, and overall perceived value.  
3. Place: Where you operate, including online platforms and physical locations.  
4. Promotion: Advertising channels you use, including but not limited to social media, local events, partnerships (like coalition loyalty programs), email marketing, text/SMS marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO).  
5. People: The average customer’s experience, from interactions with your staff to client support.  
6. Process: The seamlessness of your service, from initial inquiry to complete service delivery.  
7. Physical Evidence: Your brand identity must be evident on physical materials, including packaging, service presentation, and promotional material like posters, billboards, and cards. 

21 Ideas to Make Your Catering Marketing Effective  

Did you know that 76% of consumers look at a business’s online presence before visiting? That’s why well-thought-out digital positioning is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. Here are 21 effective catering marketing ideas to boost your catering marketing efforts and help your business shine:

1. Design a Thorough Catering Marketing Plan

In the same way, a strong foundation is necessary for building a home, creating a well-structured marketing plan for your catering business is essential. It gives you a roadmap of which elements you’ll target and how you are going to reach your end goal. Here are the key steps that go into your catering business marketing plan:  

• Conduct Market Research: Understand your target audience, preferences, and the competitive landscape. Gather insights on current trends, pricing strategies, and customer needs to inform your approach.  
• Integration with Overall Business Strategy: Ensure your marketing plan aligns with your business goals to create a cohesive strategy. Ask yourself if your marketing activities align with your marketing budget and directly contribute to your overall objectives (increased ROI, Organic traffic, etc). Focus on cost-effective strategies like social media and content marketing or consider hiring a specialist for professional results.  
• Define Your Marketing Strategy: Clearly outline your marketing strategy by identifying your unique selling proposition (USP) and how it sets you apart from competitors. This can involve creating a strategy document, using a memorable tagline, developing a brand narrative, and incorporating visual elements across your marketing materials.  
• Outline Essential Components: Break down the critical elements of your catering marketing business strategy. This includes your overall brand strategies plus individual tactic categories, like promotional, sales, campaign, and growth tactics. Consider elements like social media marketing, email campaigns, and community involvement to create a comprehensive approach.  
• Execution and Monitoring: Finally, develop a timeline for implementation and establish metrics to track your progress. Use data-driven insights to take your plan further—many catering businesses underestimate the value of detailed customer data. If you use an online ordering platform like ours, most of this data is automatically tracked for you, providing valuable insights into customer preferences and behaviors. This lets you optimize your campaigns with precision, minimizing trial-and-error and accelerating your path to success.

2. Develop a User-Friendly Catering Website  

With the right approach to SEO and PPC, your website may often be among the first results customers see when they search for your business and others like it. Ensure its visually appealing, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly. Include essential information such as menus, pricing, and testimonials, and make your contact details easily accessible. 

Include a clear call-to-action (CTA) to guide website visitors toward booking your catering services or signing up for your newsletter. Also, take professional photographs of your offerings and showcase them across your website and social media.

3. Improve Your Overall Online Presence  

A robust online presence is key to attracting clients and growing your business in the digital era. It’s not just about having a website; it’s about strengthening your overall digital presence and first impression with customers. Let’s break down some simple ways you can increase your online visibility:  

• Optimize Your Website for SEO: Research shows websites with position one on page one rankings enjoy a clickthrough rate (CTR) of 27.6%, which is about 10 times greater than position 10. To ensure your website's content has the best chance of ranking, check that your sitemap and robots.txt file are easy for Googlebot to find and understand. Use relevant, low-competition SEO keywords paired with your location and related to your services, like “wedding catering” or “corporate events catering.”
• Use Social Media: Get active on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Share mouth-watering photos of your dishes, behind-the-scenes peeks, and happy client testimonials. Engaging with your audience through comments and messages can make a huge difference in building relationships.
• Utilize Your Google Business Profile: Don’t forget to set up your Google Business Profile. This helps you show up in local searches and makes it easier for clients to find your hours, location, and services. Plus, encourage all your customers to leave honest reviews—positive feedback boosts your credibility!
• Content Marketing: Create and share valuable content, such as blog articles with event planning tips or delicious recipes. This showcases your expertise and helps improve your organic search engine rankings.
• Online Advertising: Studies show that targeted online ads can boost your brand awareness by up to 80%. Consider running pay-per-click (PPC) ads on Google or Facebook/Meta to reach a wider yet still relevant audience. Target specific demographics including locations and specific interests like corporate events, weddings, anniversaries, and retirement party planning to attract clients more likely to research catering services.
• Showcase User-Generated Content: Encourage satisfied clients to share their experiences on social media and tag you. Reposting their content (with their permission) not only builds community but also serves as authentic testimonials.

4. Use Email Marketing

Email marketing is a powerful tool for managing past and potential clients. It has a staggering 4,200% ROI, meaning you can earn 42$ for every 1% you spend on email marketing.  Regularly send newsletters featuring updates, special offers, and helpful content related to event planning. Personalize your emails to make them more engaging and include strong CTAs to encourage bookings.  

Designing Your Catering Marketing Email Template  

Create an eye-catching email template that’s consistent with your brand identity. Use high-quality images and clear, concise text. Make sure your contact information and social media links are easily accessible. Test your emails on different devices (desktop, mobile, tablet) to ensure they look great everywhere.

5. Implement a First Party Online Ordering System 

Having an online ordering system for your catering business makes it easy for customers to browse your menu, customize their orders, and check out quickly without hassle. This type of convenience keeps them happy and encourages them to book your services more often.  

Plus, when customers order online, you collect valuable information like their purchase preferences and contact details. You can use this data to create targeted marketing campaigns and send personalized offers. This way, you can build loyalty and strengthen relationships with your customers, leading to more repeat business and long-term success.

6. Offer Referral and Loyalty Program Rewards 

Creating a referral and loyalty program is a smart way to keep your customers engaged and encourage them to spread the word about your catering business. When happy clients refer your business to friends or family, reward them with discounts, freebies, or exclusive offers. This motivates them to continue sharing their positive experiences and brings new customers to your digital doorstep.

7. Offer Event-Specific Packages 

Think about different occasions, like weddings, corporate events, anniversaries, family reunions, religious celebrations, and birthday parties. Each event has unique needs, so tailor your packages to fit those specific requirements.  

For example, you could offer a wedding package with a three-course meal, a dessert bar, and special decorations. You might provide a buffet with quick bites and beverages for corporate events for easy networking. By customizing your offerings, you show clients that you understand their needs, making it easier for them to choose your catering services for the occasion that matters to them.

8. Upgrade Your Equipment to Match Brand Tone 

If your brand is about elegance and sophistication, invest in sleek, modern kitchen tools and high-end serving dishes to reflect this vibe. On the other hand, if your brand has a fun and casual tone, choose more colorful or uniquely designed equipment to add personality to your service.   

If possible, modify your catering van’s color and design to match your catering business’s brand. No matter what your brand's identity consists of, make sure your equipment perfectly matches it. This consistency helps create a memorable experience for your clients and sets your catering services apart from the competition.

9. Organize or Join Festivals and Local Events

Consider joining an existing local event or hosting your own to showcase what you do best. Set up a booth to offer tasty samples and chat with potential clients face-to-face.  

If you decide to organize an event (whether as small as a one-off gathering or as big as a festival), you can create a unique experience to reflect your brand. This lets you highlight your specialty dishes and connect directly with the community. Participating in or organizing these events can help you build strong relationships, increase visibility, and attract new customers easily.

10. Collaborate with Influencers and Local Businesses  

Reach out to influencers in your area who align with your brand values and ask them to showcase your dishes to their followers. In exchange, you can offer them gift cards or discounted rates in their best interest.  

Collaborating with local businesses—like event planners, florists, and venues—can create mutually beneficial relationships. Offer joint promotions or referral programs and help each other grow. Working with local businesses expands reach and creates a stronger community presence, making your catering services more appealing to potential clients.

11. Use Testimonials and Reviews Wisely

Testimonials and reviews are powerful tools for your catering business. Around 49% of customers trust reviews as much as personal recommendations from family members and friends. When happy clients share their experiences, it builds trust with potential customers.   

Make sure to showcase these testimonials on your website and social media channels after getting written permission from any of your clients. Highlight specific details about what made their experience special and why they prefer to return to your business.  

Send feedback forms via email or ask your clients to leave reviews on your website. Respond to all feedback—whether positive, neutral, or negative. This shows that you care about your customers and are willing to improve.

12. LAUNCH A MOBILE APP

In the restaurant and catering industry, 71% of consumers prefer using mobile apps or restaurant-specific websites over third-party solutions due to lower costs, convenience and personalized loyalty benefits (Forbes). By offering a dedicated mobile app, catering businesses can streamline ordering processes, improve customer experiences, and gather more customer data. It’s a win-win-win. 

A mobile app for catering needs to include features that make the experience smooth for both the customer and the business. Here are five core features to include: 

1. Booking Systems: Let customers book catering services for events of any size, with flexible date and time options. 
2. Menu Customization Tools: Empower customers to tailor their menus according to their preferences, dietary needs, and themes. 
3. Customer Feedback Channels: Let customers leave reviews or provide feedback on their experience. 
4. Payment Integration: Give your customers the choice to pay through the app, offering multiple payment options for convenience. 
5. Push Notifications: Keep customers informed with the latest offers, new menu items, and special promotions.

13. HOST TASTING EVENTS

Tasting events serve multiple purposes for your catering business. They provide an excellent platform for introducing new menu items, observing customers’ reactions, and refining offerings based on feedback.

These events also build connections and establish rapport with potential customers in person. If you want to host your first tasting event, here are five steps to get started: 

1. Select the Venue: Choose a venue that aligns with your brand's aesthetic and accommodates your target audience. This could be anything from an elegant banquet hall to a casual and intimate café. 
2. Design the Menu: Offer a selection of dishes that showcase your culinary expertise. This may include popular items, new additions, and seasonal specialties. 
3. Promote the Event: Use social media, email newsletters, and local event listings to spread the word. Incentivize attendance by offering exclusive discounts or giveaways for attendees who book services. 
4. Engage Your Audience: Make the event interactive by letting guests interact with your chefs or trying their hand at preparing a dish. Encourage them to share their experience on social media with branded hashtags. 
5. Collect Feedback: Create a simple, accessible way for attendees to share their thoughts, such as comment cards or an online survey. Use the results to refine your menu, identify popular items, and even create targeted marketing campaigns based on customer preferences.

14. UTILIZE INSTAGRAM FOR VISUAL MARKETING 

Instagram is a visual platform that’s home to hundreds of millions of food-related pictures and videos. An eye-opening 38% of Instagram users look at food content (MenuTiger). This gives you an opportunity for caterers to showcase your culinary creations to a wide audience. If you want to get on Instagram, here are six content strategies and engagement tips to try out:

1. Behind-the-Scenes: Show your team preparing dishes, setting up events, or sourcing ingredients. This gives followers a glimpse into the hard work that goes into your catering service. 
2. Feature Dishes: Highlight your signature dishes or new menu items in high-quality images and videos. Use close-up shots and natural lighting to make your food look irresistible. 
3. Event Highlights: Share photos and videos from events you’ve catered, showcasing the food, ambiance, and guest reactions.  
4. User-Generated Content: Encourage customers to post about your catering service and tag your brand. Share their posts to build trust and social proof. 
5. Contests & Giveaways: Run contests where followers can win a free tasting or event discount in exchange for liking, commenting, and tagging friends. 
6. Consistency: Post regularly and at peak engagement times like early morning and early afternoon to ensure your content reaches your audience. The more consistent you are, the more likely you are to attract a loyal following.

15. ATTEND BRIDAL SHOWS

Bridal shows are ideal for catering businesses looking to target couples planning their weddings. However, with so many booths vying for attention, it’s important to make sure yours stands out from the crowd. Here are four tips on how to create the perfect booth at a bridal show:

1. Branding: Create a booth that reflects your brand's aesthetic. Incorporate your logo, color scheme, and food displays to draw attendees in. Use elegant signage and offer pamphlets or brochures with detailed information about your services. 
2. Testimonials and Visuals: Display customer testimonials and high-quality images from past events to build trust. For relevance, showcase wedding catering setups.  
3. Food Samples: Offer bite-sized samples of your best dishes to tempt potential clients. Choose items that are both visually appealing and easy to eat while mingling.  
4. Interactive Digital Displays: Set up a tablet or touchscreen display where couples can easily browse through menu options and customize their orders on the spot. This lets them explore different choices and get an instant sense of how their event could look. The goal is to get them feeling confident and excited about booking your services, potentially leading to immediate sign-ups right at the booth.

Bridal shows are an excellent opportunity to capture leads and spark interest and converting those leads into clients requires foolproof follow-up. Here are some three strategies to keep in mind: 

1. Lead Capture: Have a system in place to capture leads at the event, such as a digital registration form that auto-populates your CRM. Collect contact information from interested attendees to follow up later. 
2. Post-Event Outreach: After the event, send personalized follow-up emails thanking attendees for visiting your booth. Offer them exclusive promotions or discounts for your services. 
3. Keeping Leads Warm: For those who are not ready to commit, connect with them on social media by sending a friendly message or tagging them in event-related posts. This keeps your brand top-of-mind and creates a more personal connection, making it easier to convert them into clients later on.

16. CREATE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL 

Making a YouTube channel allows you to share your brand story, expertise, and behind-the-scenes content with a larger audience.

When setting up your channel, choose a theme that aligns with your business. Once you’ve established the theme, move on to creating content for your YouTube channels. Here are three ideas to get you started: 

1. Cooking Tutorials: Teach your audience how to recreate your most popular dishes at home. This establishes your authority in the culinary space. 
2. Catering Tips and Tricks: Share catering tips and tricks, offering advice on everything from setting up a buffet to managing large events.  
3. Customer Testimonials: Feature satisfied customers who talk about their experience with your catering service. Real stories and feedback build trust with your audience.

Once you’ve gotten your channel up and running, the next step is to grow your channel. Here are two tips to keep in mind:

• Collaborations: Partner with other YouTubers or influencers in the food or event planning space. This lets you tap into their audience and grow your subscriber base. 
• Cross-Promotion: Promote your YouTube content across your social media platforms to drive traffic. Encourage followers to subscribe by offering special promotions for those who do.

17. PARTICIPATE IN COMPETITIONS

Participating in competitions significantly boosts your brand’s credibility and increases exposure. When doing this, make sure you choose competitions that align with your catering brand’s niche and specialties. Selecting the right contests ensures your brand strengths are shown to the most relevant audiences.

Once you know what competitions you want to sign up for, the prep work starts. Here are three tips to keep in mind when preparing for competitions:

1. Recipe Selection: Select the dishes you want to present, focusing on your best creations that are likely to impress judges and event organizers. 
2. Presentation: Practice presenting your dishes in an aesthetically appealing and professional manner. Competitions often have strict presentation standards, so attention to detail is crucial. 
3. Timing and Execution: Have a clear plan for executing your dishes within the competition's time constraints. Practice cooking under time pressure to refine your process.

If you win an award, allow it to elevate your credibility. Feature the award on your website, social media, and promotional materials. Tactfully include it in your email signature and when speaking to potential clients to showcase your expertise and quality.

18. HOST WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

Hosting workshops and classes is a great way to engage with your audience while showcasing your expertise in the catering industry. Here are five workshop topics to consider: 

1. Basic cooking skills for beginners. 
2. 30-minute meals or 60-minute meals 
3. Special cuisine classes (e.g., Italian, Thai, etc.) 
4. Seasonal cooking (e.g. how to cook a full Christmas dinner) 
5. Canape ideas for hosting parties at home 

As for marketing, promote your workshops through social media, your website, and local event listings. Use your mobile app, if applicable, to handle enrollments and provide course details. Offering early-bird discounts or group rates can incentivize sign-ups. 

It’s also important to think about monetization. Charge a fee for attendance and offer paid add-ons, such as one-on-one cooking sessions or exclusive recipes. After the workshop, follow up with attendees to gather feedback and offer them discounts on your catering services.

19. LAUNCH A SPECIAL SEASONAL MENU

Capitalize on seasonal ingredients or holidays to create exclusive, limited-time menus that add excitement and a sense of urgency for bookings. For instance, offer autumn-inspired dishes during fall, festive meals during winter, and fresh, summery options during warm months. 

Market these menus through email campaigns, social media, and your website. Provide early bird discounts or bonuses, like complimentary desserts, to encourage advance bookings.

20. PARTNER WITH FOOD DELIVERY PLATFORMS

Collaborate with well-known delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or GrabFood to offer smaller-scale catering options for informal gatherings or corporate lunches. This partnership can improve visibility among a broader audience who might not be actively search for catering services.

Create exclusive "mini catering" packages designed for small groups of 5 to 10 people, with the flexibility to add more guests if needed. Highlight your availability on these platforms through social media and your website to drive traffic and attract new customers.

If you're still growing your brand and it's challenging to secure collaborations with these big names, simply being listed on the platform can help you tap into their extensive audience base.

21. INTRODUCE VIRTUAL EVENT CATERING PACKAGES

Cater to the growing trend of virtual and hybrid events by offering tailored solutions for online attendees. Develop packages that include individually packed meals delivered to participants’ doorsteps or DIY meal kits they can prepare at home during the event. Add a unique touch, such as themed packaging or a food and beverage pairing guide, to make virtual gatherings more engaging.

This strategy appeals to corporate clients and event organizers looking for innovative ways to create memorable online experiences. 

5 Methods to Measure the Effectiveness of Your Catering Marketing Campaign  

Now you’re familiar with the top strategies to create a catering marketing plan. But it’s also important to keep track of your progress to ensure your efforts hit the bullseye. Here are five methods to measure the effectiveness of your catering marketing campaign:  

1. Measure Online Traffic  

Monitor your website traffic to see if your marketing efforts are paying off. Use tools like Google Analytics to track how many visitors come to your site, where they’re coming from, and which pages they visit. Increased traffic usually means more people are interested in your catering services, which allows you to adjust your strategies as needed.  

2. Lead Generation and CTR  

Look at your lead generation results and click-through rates (CTR) to gauge your campaign's effectiveness. If more people fill out your contact forms or sign up for your newsletter each quarter than the previous quarter, your marketing is working well. High CTR on your ads, organic search results, and/or emails indicates your audience finds your content engaging and relevant.  

3. Return on Investment  

Compare the money you spend on marketing campaigns to the revenue generated from new clients. A positive ROI means your campaigns are profitable, while a negative one indicates it's time to rethink your strategies.  

4. Customer Retention

If clients keep coming back for your services, your marketing is clear and useful enough to retain customers. Schedule quarterly business reviews ahead of time to review and understand your business’s patterns and send follow-up emails or one-time offers to your most profitable customers to encourage ongoing relationships.  

5. Brand Sentiments

Pay attention to what people are saying about your brand online. Monitor social media mentions, reviews, and comments to gauge overall sentiment. Positive feedback and engagement indicate that your campaigns resonate with your target market. If you notice negative comments, address them promptly with legitimate plans to improve to show you care.

6 Legal and Ethical Considerations in Catering Marketing   

Adhering to the legal and ethical landscape is also important when promoting your catering company. Here are six key legal and ethical considerations to keep in mind as you develop your catering marketing strategies:  

1. Truth in Advertising: Ensure that all claims about your services, ingredients, and prices are accurate, don’t contain libel, and aren’t misleading. Avoid making significant or bold claims that can’t be substantiated, which reduces the risk of legal trouble.  
2. Copyright and Trademark Compliance: Only ever use images, logos, and content you own or have permission to use. Respect the intellectual property rights of others to avoid legal repercussions.  
3. Privacy Regulations: Collect and store customer data responsibly. Follow regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) (as applicable), which require transparency about how customer information is used.  
4. Health and Safety Standards: All of your marketing materials must adhere to local health regulations and safety standards. Ensure all your business formation paperwork—including but not limited to articles of incorporation and various food service licenses, like a liquor license—are available at any time to support your claims regarding food safety and quality.  
5. Respect for Competitors: Avoid disparaging comments about competitors in your marketing efforts, which can land you in a legal battle within mere days. Focus on highlighting your unique strengths without attacking others or misleading the public.  
6. Transparency in Pricing: Be clear about pricing structures and any additional fees. Hidden costs can lead to customer dissatisfaction and loss of trust.

By considering these legal and ethical considerations, you’ll create a marketing strategy that attracts clients while maintaining the integrity of your catering business.  

Create Your First or Next Catering Marketing Plan  

A successful catering marketing plan requires thoughtful strategy and execution. By knowing your target audience, using effective marketing channels, and adhering to legal and ethical considerations, it becomes much easier to craft a plan that resonates with potential clients.  

Don’t forget to regularly assess your marketing efforts to ensure they align with your business goals and adapt as needed. Remember, a well-structured marketing plan not only helps you attract new customers but also fosters loyalty and trust among existing clients. 

Start today and make your marketing plan a powerful tool for growth. Explore our all-inclusive guest engagement platform to take your catering business to new heights! 

Need catering software to ensure your revenue goals stay on track? Schedule a demo today to see our comprehensive catering solutions in action.