Top Catering Platforms to Streamline Your Event Planning

Running an event catering business is no picnic. You juggle menus, clients, and logistics, all while striving for that perfect dining experience. But what if you could streamline catering orders, access a broader customer base, and maybe even find new ways to grow? That's where catering platforms come in.

Gone are the days of phone calls and faxed orders. Catering platforms are changing the game for both caterers and hungry customers. This new wave of online software solutions simplifies the process, opening up exciting opportunities and streamlining your operation. These catering solutions provide catering services with an online ordering platform and order management tools.

Table of Contents:

• Navigating the World of Catering Platforms
• Why Choosing the Right Platform Matters
• Essential Factors When Evaluating Catering Platforms
  • Online Menu and Ordering
  • Budget and Pricing Structure
  • Ease of Use
  • Integration with Existing Tools
  • Customer Support
• Key Catering Platforms in Today’s Market
  • Curate
  • Better Cater
  • Total Party Planner
  • Flex Catering
  • Caterease
  • FoodStorm Catering
  • CaterZen
  • Planning Pod
  • HoneyBook
  • Tripleseat
  • Infor
• Conclusion
  
  

Navigating the World of Catering Platforms

From individual meal orders to full-blown corporate events, there’s a catering platform out there for every need. The real challenge? Figuring out which online catering software is right for your specific needs.

Why Choosing the Right Platform Matters

Picking the right catering platform isn’t just about ticking a box; it’s a strategic decision that impacts your bottom line and how smoothly your business runs. The right platform helps streamline your operations, manage catering orders effectively, and ensure you’re offering the best possible experience to your loyal clients and potential customers.

Essential Factors When Evaluating Catering Platforms

The world of catering platforms has something for everyone, but not every platform fits every business. To simplify the process, let’s break down the crucial elements to consider:

Online Menu and Ordering

Make sure to look for a platform with a web ordering feature that can streamline the ordering process, offering a seamless customer experience from start to finish. Clients can easily browse the catering menu, customize their selections, and place orders online.

This also ensures that customers can quickly access all options, make adjustments based on their preferences and dietary restrictions, and submit their orders with just a few clicks.

Budget and Pricing Structure

First, define your budget. Then, explore different pricing structures such as flat fees, commissions, or a blend of both.

Understanding these models and their potential impact on your bottom line is key to picking the right fit for your budget. Remember, transparency in pricing is vital.

Ease of Use

An intuitive and user-friendly platform makes everyone’s lives easier, both for you and your clients. Nobody enjoys navigating a clunky system, so seek out catering platforms that prioritize a streamlined user experience, including mobile-friendliness for those managing their catering business on the go.

Integration with Existing Tools

Think about the third-party platforms you’re already using to manage your business—from POS systems to CRM software. Choose a catering platform that integrates seamlessly to streamline operations, centralize data, and get a unified view of your business performance.

The smoother the integration, the more efficient your workflow.

Customer Support

Hiccups happen. When they do, reliable customer support is crucial.

Look for catering platforms known for their responsiveness and support quality. Do they have multiple support channels, like phone, email, or even live chat? Are their representatives knowledgeable and readily available to assist? These are vital things to factor in.

Key Catering Platforms in Today’s Market

Let’s look at some of the popular catering platforms available in the online marketplace. Each has its strengths and focus areas, so comparing and contrasting them against your specific business requirements is crucial:

Curate

Curate is an advanced restaurant catering platform specifically equipped with features needed to automate and streamline your business operations. It features a centralized client database, a custom proposal builder with e-signature capabilities, project management tools, reporting & analytics, among others.

Unlike any software, Curate is a platform specifically designed for the unique needs of restaurant business owners and caterers. It is a very easy-to-use CRM that provides all the tools you need in the catering industry and more importantly, makes your business a lot easier to manage and provide excellent service. Another item that makes Curate unique is that caterers who have rentals and design arms of their business can also take advantage of features to make these areas efficient.

Curate is the only tool that has integrations for both Nowsta and Galley.

Top Features

• Pipeline management
• Customized proposals
• Event Calendar
• Reporting and analytics
• Integration
• SAVE 9 HOURS A WEEK!
  
  
  
  

Better Cater

Better Cater is a game-changer for those in the restaurant industry. This simple yet powerful software streamlines your entire restaurant and catering operation, from online ordering to payment processing. Keep track of your next event using their built-in calendar that also lets you sync your Google calendar for maximum efficiency.

Better Cater is also a cloud-based software that enables you to view order histories and manage your customer database practically everywhere.

Top Features

• Calendar management
• Customer database
• Planning and scheduling automation
• Invoice management
  
  
  
  

Total Party Planner

Total Party Planner is an all-in-one catering and event management platform that helps you streamline your operations from start to finish. With features like client management, an event calendar, and a centralized online payment solution, it's a comprehensive solution for busy caterers.

Another standout feature of Total Party Planner is its customizable templates for proposals and 3rd party app integration. These tools save you time and ensure consistency across your events.

Top Features

• Client management
• Event Calendar
• Integration
• Reporting
  
  
  
  

Flex Catering

Flex Catering is a user-friendly catering management software with built-in CRM tools. It streamlines the entire process of your catering services with essential features like event planning management and scheduling, delivery tracker, and more.

Flex Catering also offers a client portal where customers can view their order history, make payments, and even place new orders online. This self-service feature can greatly reduce your administrative workload.

Top Features

• Event manager
• Client Portal
• Custom website
• Delivery Tracker
  
  
  
  

Caterease

Caterease is a comprehensive software solution suited for caterers and event planners that offers a wide range of essential tools including booking management, a flexible reporting system, and integrated payment processing (credit card, Google Pay, and ACH).

Caterease also provides a robust events calendar that gives you greater control over your catering operations.

Top Features

• Booking management
• Payment processing
• Event Calendar
• Flexible reporting
  
  
  
  

FoodStorm Catering

FoodStorm is an all-in-one catering software that combines CRM tools, order management, and production planning. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to access customer information and manage orders. Online ordering is also possible via their custom e-commerce platform.

Other notable features of FoodStorm include POS integration, reports to keep you updated on how your business is doing, and a robust communication system that enhances the client experience by giving customers updates on their orders via email. 

Top Features

• Order management
• E-commerce platform
• Marketing tools
• Integration
  
  
  
  

CaterZen

CaterZen is a catering management software that empowers restaurant operators with its management process features. With features like kitchen production reports and delivery manager, it will streamline your workflow from start to finish.

Additionally, CaterZen's CRM capabilities allow you to store customer information, track interactions, and manage menu items. Its reporting tools provide valuable insights into your sales trends and customer behavior.

Top Features

• Delivery manager
• Kitchen production reporting
• Contact management
• Customer Relationship Management
  
  
  
  

Planning Pod

Planning Pod is a cloud-based software that offers a suite of tools for catering businesses, including a robust CRM system. With Planning Pod, you have access to essential features that let you manage clients and files, and process payments in this all-in-one business software.

What sets Planning Pod apart is its user-friendly interface that works well even on mobile devices and extensive customization options. You can tailor the software to fit your unique workflows and branding.

Top Features

• Guest management
• File management
• Event timelines
• Payment processing
  
  
  
  

HoneyBook

HoneyBook is more than just a catering CRM - it's a complete business management solution. This software helps you streamline your entire workflow, from lead capture to invoicing. One of the standout features of HoneyBook is its robust CRM system. You can easily manage all your catering clients in one place, with tools for storing contact information, tracking communication, and even sending automated follow-ups. 

But HoneyBook's real power lies in its project management capabilities. You can customize templates, automate workflows, and collaborate with your team - all within the platform.

Top Features

• Client management
• Project management
• Automation
• Catering templates customization
  
  
  
  

Tripleseat

Tripleseat was built specifically for restaurants and restaurant floor layouts which means less of an emphasis on off-site caterers. However, with Tripleseat's CRM features, you can capture leads, track client communication, and manage contracts, making it a very reliable and one of the best catering and event management software platforms.

The software also includes built-in tools for event reporting and analytics which should allow you to gain valuable insights into your business.

Top Features

• Lead capture system
• Calendar management
• Custom branding
• Reporting
  
  
  
  

Infor

Infor is a comprehensive catering and event management solution that includes powerful CRM capabilities. It features a reliable lead management system that tracks the entire sales process, from initial inquiry to post-event follow-up.

One notable aspect of Reserve Interactive is its advanced reporting and analytics. It allows you to generate detailed analysis reports to gain valuable insights into your business performance.

Top Features

• Lead management
• Inventory management
• Reporting and analytics
• Marketing tools
  
  
  
  

Conclusion

Choosing the best catering software is like finding the perfect recipe. There are tons of ingredients, but what truly matters is creating something delicious and unique that meets your business’s preferences and needs.

The right catering platform can be your biggest asset, improving operational efficiency, reducing stress, keeping your team happy, and providing superb customer service. Whether you’re aiming for large-scale corporate catering or managing food trucks, having this tool can help you have complete control of your business.

While exploring and evaluating different platforms, it’s crucial to ask: Will this platform integrate smoothly with my business? How does it benefit my budget? Most importantly, will it genuinely support my growth and empower me to deliver an exceptional experience for my clientele? This thoughtful approach will help guide you toward success in the food industry.