Back in the day, growing a catering business meant getting a few phone calls, printing up some flyers, and relying on word-of-mouth from happy clients. That was the "one-channel" world.
But today's customer? They're not waiting by the phone. They're bouncing between email, Instagram, texts, and your website - often all in one decision-making session. It's no longer about being somewhere.
It's about being everywhere your customer expects you to be.
Welcome to the fragmented future. And yes, it can be overwhelming. But the good news? With the right tools, caterers can not only survive in this multi-channel world, they can thrive.
Let me show you how.
The Reality: Your Prospects Are Everywhere
One minute a corporate client is checking their inbox for a tasting invite. The next, they're scrolling Instagram, clicking through your website, and texting their team to vote on menu options.
In this "messy middle," as Google calls it, your catering prospects zigzag across platforms before making a decision. If your messaging isn't consistent, or your system isn’t unified, they slip through the cracks - and land in your competitor's lap.
Studies show that brands using 3+ channels per campaign see a 287% higher purchase rate. That’s not theory. That’s money.
So, What Channels Should Caterers Focus On?
Let’s break down the big players—and how CaterZen helps you show up strong on each.
1. Email: The Reliable Workhorse
It may not be flashy, but email delivers one of the highest ROIs of any marketing channel (36:1 on average). And CaterZen turns email into a selling machine:
- Pre-written templates for promotions, follow-ups, and thank-yous
- Targeted campaigns using CRM filters (think: "All clients who ordered holiday catering last year")
- Auto-logging of emails to client records
You stay top-of-mind, and your follow-up doesn’t fall through the cracks.
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2. Phone Calls: The Personal Touch
Some conversations are just better live. That’s why we’ll be rolling out VoIP integration this fall. Here’s what that means:
- Make and receive calls directly inside CaterZen
- Auto-log calls and notes to the client’s CRM record
- Record calls (with permission) for training and accuracy
- Click-to-call from any contact record or task
Phone calls aren’t dead. But phone tag should be.
3. Text Messaging: Instant, Personal, Effective
Texting has a 98% open rate. Think about that.
Soon, CaterZen will let you send marketing texts, reminders, confirmations, and even post-event thank-yous - all from within our catering software interface. You’ll be able to:
- Promote last-minute offers
- Schedule follow-up texts post-event
- Confirm tastings or consultations with a quick reminder text
- Share a promo code via SMS to re-engage past clients
And yes, every message ties back into the CRM, so you always know the full story.
4. Online Ordering: Capture Orders While You Sleep
Busy clients love convenience. With CaterZen’s branded online ordering portal, customers can:
- Build and place orders 24/7
- Request quotes
- Schedule future events
And because it’s all integrated, the order hits your dashboard instantly. No missed emails. No phone tag. Just booked business.
5. Social Media: The Awareness Channel
Think of social media as your storefront window. It builds curiosity and trust. When someone slides into your DMs, send them to your CaterZen inquiry form. When they click a "Book Now" button, send them to your online ordering portal.
We help you convert social interest into organized, trackable sales opportunities.
Integrations: Bringing In More Business
ezCater integration is on our roadmap, which will give you direct access to one of the most powerful third-party lead generation platforms in catering. You’ll be able to capture ezCater orders and manage those relationships directly in CaterZen - turning top-of-funnel leads into long-term clients.
It’s another way CaterZen helps you meet customers where they are, without losing track of who they are.
The Secret Weapon: A Unified CRM
Multi-channel only works if everything talks to each other. That’s why CaterZen puts our robust CRM at the center of your catering universe.
Every phone call, email, quote, text, order, and delivery note lives under one roof. No post-it notes. No scattered spreadsheets.
So whether a client contacts you by email or phone - or both - you’ll know exactly what they’ve seen, what they need, and what to do next.
It’s not just customer service. It’s sales confidence.
Final Thoughts: The Future Is Fragmented. You Don't Have to Be.
Your prospects are scattered across channels. But that doesn't mean your strategy has to be.
With CaterZen, you can meet your customers where they are, speak to them consistently, and manage it all without losing your mind.
The world of catering is getting more complex.
Your job is to make it feel seamless.
Ready to win in a multi-channel world?
👉 Already a CaterZen client? Book a free training session and we’ll show you how to unlock CaterZen’s multi-channel tools—from email marketing to CRM-driven call tracking—so you can boost engagement and close more deals.
👉 New to CaterZen? Start your free trial or book a “Non-Demo” Demo - no pressure, no sales pitch. Just a behind-the-scenes look at how CaterZen helps caterers stay connected across every channel.
Let us help you turn a fragmented customer journey into a smooth, profitable ride.
