What happens when you give catering a seat at the table - from Day 1?
You stop treating it like an afterthought, and start using it as a serious lever for growth.
Episode 15: Turning Catering into a Growth Engine with John Geyerman of WOWorks
In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, I sit down with John Geyerman, Chief Strategy Officer at WOWorks - the powerhouse behind brands like Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, and The Simple Greek.
With deep roots in operations at Schlotzsky's and Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, John knows what it takes to build scalable systems across multiple brands without losing sight of the guest experience.
We dive into how WOWorks:
✅ Uses catering to build brand awareness, loyalty, and long-term customer value
✅ Cross-trains teams across brands for smoother catering execution
✅ Integrates tech and operations to make catering a seamless part of the guest journey
✅ Encourages a “say yes” culture that turns every catering drop into a future sale
Whether you’re running one concept or managing multiple brands under one roof, John shares how to keep your operations streamlined, your teams aligned, and your catering program growing - without sacrificing quality.
How to Tune In
You can listen to the full episode or watch the video version right here on our Restaurant Catering Smarts podcast page.
Why Restaurant Catering Smarts?
We go beyond the fluff. Restaurant Catering Smarts brings you tactical, real-world advice from folks actually doing the work.
From operations to marketing, leadership to logistics, each episode features restaurant leaders who are out there making catering happen - and scaling it smartly.
Let’s Hear From You!
Got a topic you’d love to hear us cover? Or a challenge you’re facing in your catering business? Drop us a message - we might feature your question in an upcoming episode.
Stay Connected with Us on Social Media!
Follow us for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and practical tips for running a profitable catering business:
- LinkedIn: CaterZen LinkedIn
- Twitter/X: @CaterZen
- Instagram: @CaterZenCateringSoftware
- Facebook: CaterZen Catering Software
- Join our private Facebook group: Restaurant Catering Professionals
Let us know how Restaurant Catering Smarts is helping you level up your catering game. We’re all ears (and microphones)!
Ready to Make Every Catering Order a Brand-Building Moment?
John’s approach proves that catering isn’t just about food - it’s about experience, exposure, and execution.
Whether you’re just getting started or expanding across multiple locations, this episode will show you how to turn catering into a true growth engine.
Give it a listen and see what strategies you can start applying today. Because every catering order is more than a meal - it’s a chance to grow your brand.
