The catering industry has never moved faster.
Businesses pulling in $1 million or more annually are operating at a different level, managing high-volume events, corporate accounts, and rising client expectations
The numbers show a market that’s not just bouncing back but accelerating. In 2023, U.S. caterers generated $72 billion in revenue. By 2032, that number is expected to climb to $124 billion, with a 6.2% annual growth rate.
Catering now accounts for 11% of total food service revenue, proving that it is a powerhouse industry.
One of the biggest reasons for this surge? Corporate spending is up.
More businesses are investing in catered events, from product launches to employee appreciation meals.
Over 53% of corporate buyers plan to increase their catering budgets this year, and 80% order at least once a month, with 32% placing weekly orders.
Caterers who can manage this volume efficiently are in a prime position to dominate the next decade.
Growth Brings Challenges. The Right Strategy Brings Success.
Scaling a catering business isn’t just about booking more events. It is about managing complexity without breaking operations.
For larger caterers, that means handling multiple locations, juggling logistics, and keeping service consistent across every event.
It sounds simple, but 57% of caterers report that growing their catering sales has been a struggle.
The right systems make the difference between a business that grows smoothly and one that collapses under its own weight.
Efficiency is everything.
Standardized training ensures that staff execute events the right way, no matter where they are. Clear role delegation keeps operations from becoming chaotic. Communication tools bridge the gaps between front-of-house, kitchen staff, and delivery teams. And technology is no longer a luxury. It is the backbone of any business operating at this scale.
Cost Pressures Are Relentless. Profitability Requires Precision.
Margins in catering have always been tight, but rising costs are making them razor-thin.
98% of operators cite labor costs as a major concern. Food costs are another battle, with 97% reporting significant increases due to inflation, supply chain delays, and global instability.
These pressures aren’t going away. The caterers who survive will be the ones who optimize everything.
Some are engineering their menus to maximize profitability, designing dishes that balance high-end appeal with cost-effective ingredients. Others are leveraging smarter procurement strategies to negotiate better vendor pricing. Waste reduction is becoming an art form, with caterers tracking inventory down to the ounce.
Every adjustment adds up. When you are operating at scale, small savings turn into massive profitability shifts.
Technology Is No Longer an Option. It Is a Necessity.
Catering businesses are integrating technology to streamline operations.
30% of enterprise-level caterers plan to invest in order management systems this year. Manual tracking, disconnected spreadsheets, and inefficient communication slow down operations.
Technology is solving bottlenecks across the board.
Catering platforms are eliminating miscommunications and streamlining bookings. CRMs are helping caterers track client history and improve retention. Inventory management software is reducing over-ordering and cutting down on waste. And now, AI is making its way into the industry, offering powerful tools that can predict demand, optimize menus, and even automate customer service.
AI isn’t a futuristic gimmick anymore. It is already helping caterers analyze purchasing trends, forecast future demand, and personalize customer recommendations. Some are using it to dynamically adjust pricing based on ingredient costs and availability. Others are using AI chatbots to handle customer inquiries, reducing the workload on their teams.
The businesses that embrace these tools will be the ones that pull ahead.
This is why Curate is providing new, revolutionary tools into the catering space through its platform - empowering catering businesses to not only create but to also gain powerful business and operational insights in just moments.
The Talent Crisis Isn’t Over. Smart Hiring and Retention Strategies Are Essential.
Finding and keeping great employees is still one of the hardest parts of running a catering business.
86% of catering companies report being understaffed. High turnover rates make it difficult to maintain consistency, and competition for skilled workers continues to drive up wages.
Caterers who invest in their teams are the ones who see the best results.
That means offering competitive pay, yes. But it also means creating career growth paths, training staff effectively, and making the job more manageable.
The best teams don’t just stick around. They perform at a higher level, ensuring better service, smoother events, and happier clients.
Client Expectations Are Changing. Adaptation Is the Only Option.
Customers expect more from their caterers than ever before. Personalization is now the standard.
They want menus designed around their tastes and dietary needs. They expect seamless online ordering and instant confirmations. And they are paying closer attention to sustainability, pushing caterers to adopt greener practices.
Customization isn’t just a selling point anymore. It is the baseline. Caterers who can’t adjust to these demands will get left behind.
Seventy-five percent of catering orders now happen online.
If a business’s ordering process isn’t seamless, it is already losing customers to competitors who make booking easier. When corporate clients choose a caterer, their top priorities are quality, taste, and order accuracy.
Those who deliver consistently win repeat business. Those who don’t will struggle.
Catering Software Is No Longer a “Nice to Have.” It Is the Key to Scaling.
Catering businesses that rely on outdated tools are losing time, money, and opportunities.
Leading operators are switching to fully integrated platforms that connect order management, menu pricing, inventory tracking, and client communication in one place.
Platforms like Curate are changing how caterers operate.
Businesses that adopt technology are seeing fewer pricing mistakes, higher close rates, and more streamlined operations.
Instead of wasting hours adjusting proposals or tracking orders manually, caterers using Curate move faster, reduce errors, and scale without chaos.
The industry is shifting. The question isn’t whether businesses should upgrade their systems. It is whether they can afford not to.
See how Curate can transform your operations.
Where the Industry Is Headed Next
Looking ahead to 2025, the catering landscape will continue to evolve.
Sustainability will move from a buzzword to a requirement. Personalization will drive customer loyalty. Interactive catering experiences - live cooking stations, build-your-own meal bars, and immersive dining concepts - will dominate high-end events.
Food trends will also shift.
Premium animal-based proteins will make a comeback, balancing out the rise in plant-based dining. Third-culture cuisine - where chefs blend influences from multiple regions into something entirely new - will gain traction. Smoked flavors, spicy condiments, and global fusion dishes will redefine traditional menus.
Caterers who stay ahead of these trends will attract the most profitable clients.
The Bottom Line
The catering industry is growing. But growth alone doesn’t guarantee success. Large-scale businesses need to streamline operations, control costs, invest in technology, and adapt to shifting client demands.
Technology will be the deciding factor in which businesses thrive and which struggle. The right systems don’t just make operations easier. They make businesses more profitable, more scalable, and more competitive.
For catering businesses aiming to grow in 2025 and beyond, now is the time to optimize, upgrade, and prepare for what’s next.
Are you ready to streamline your processes and future-proof your business?
Cited Sources
IBISWorld. (2023). Caterers in the US - Market Size 2005–2028. Retrieved from https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/caterers-industry/
IBISWorld. (2023). Caterers in the US - Industry Report. Retrieved from https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/caterers-industry/
Spoonfed. (2024). The State of Catering Report 2024. Retrieved from https://getspoonfed.com/state-of-catering-report/
National Restaurant Association. (2023). 2023 State of the Restaurant Industry Report. Retrieved from https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research-reports/state-of-the-restaurant-industry/
Restaurant Business Online. (2024). How to Control Rising Food Costs. Retrieved from https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/how-control-rising-food-costs
QSR magazine. (2024). Technology and the Future of Restaurant Catering. Retrieved from https://www.qsrmagazine.com/outside-insights/technology-and-future-restaurant-catering
Catersource. (2024). Attracting and Retaining Top Talent in the Catering Industry. Retrieved from https://www.catersource.com/operations-management/attracting-and-retaining-top-talent-catering-industry
Special Events. (2024). Standing Out from the Crowd: Differentiation Strategies for Caterers. Retrieved from https://www.specialevents.com/catering/standing-out-crowd-differentiation-strategies-caterers
Modern Restaurant Management. (2024). Meeting the Evolving Expectations of Catering Clients. Retrieved from https://modernrestaurantmanagement.com/meeting-the-evolving-expectations-of-catering-clients/
National Association for Catering and Events. (2024). Sustainability Best Practices for Caterers. Retrieved from https://www.nace.net/resources/sustainability-best-practices-for-caterers/
Restaurant Dive. (2024). How Technology is Reshaping the Catering Industry. Retrieved from https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/how-technology-is-reshaping-the-catering-industry/
Catersource. (2024). The Power of Personalization in Catering. Retrieved from https://www.catersource.com/marketing-sales/power-personalization-catering
Special Events. (2024). Creating Memorable Experiences with Experiential Catering. Retrieved from https://www.specialevents.com/catering/creating-memorable-experiences-experiential-catering
RestaurantOwner.com. (2024). Key Performance Indicators for Catering Businesses. Retrieved from https://www.restaurantowner.com/public/Key-Performance-Indicators-for-Catering-Businesses.cfm
Lunchbox.io. (2024). 25 Catering Statistics You Need to Know in 2024. Retrieved from https://lunchbox.io/25-catering-statistics-you-need-to-know-in-2024
ItsaCheckmate.com. (2024). Restaurant Catering: Key Statistics and Trends for 2025 and Beyond. Retrieved from https://www.itsacheckmate.com/blog/restaurant-catering-key-statistics-and-trends-for-2025-and-beyond
Catersource. (2024). 2025 Trend Roundup. Retrieved from https://www.catersource.com/food-beverage/2025-trend-roundup
Caterease. (2024). Top Catering Trends to Elevate Your Business in 2025. Retrieved from https://www.caterease.com/top-catering-trends-to-elevate-your-business-in-2025/
The International Foodservice Group (IFG). (2024). 2025 Foodservice Industry Trends Shaping the Future of Dining. Retrieved from https://www.the-ifg.com/news-blog/2025-foodservice-industry-trends-shaping-the-future-of-dining
\ The International Foodservice Group (IFG). (2024). 2025 Foodservice Industry Trends Shaping the Future of Dining. Retrieved from https://www.the-ifg.com/news-blog/2025-foodservice-industry-trends-shaping-the-future-of-dining
Caterease. (2024). AI for Caterers: Top Ways to Incorporate Artificial Intelligence in Your Operations. Retrieved from https://www.caterease.com/ai-for-caterers-top-ways-to-incorporate-artificial-intelligence-in-your-operations/
Loman.ai. (2024). 5 AI Benefits for Restaurant & Catering Supply Chains. Retrieved from https://www.loman.ai/blog/5-ai-benefits-for-restaurant-catering-supply-chains
Puree.app. (2024). AI in Catering: How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing the Industry. Retrieved from https://www.puree.app/resources/articles/ai_in_catering