Restaurant businesses of various sizes are embracing catering services for the winter holiday season as the pandemic’s effects subside. Public companies discussed the importance of catering in earnings calls, and smaller firms are also promoting their offerings. For instance, Noodles & Company reported a 35% increase in catering sales in the third quarter and plans to expand this service for the holidays.
EzCater, a national corporate catering platform, highlighted an increase in workers skipping lunch breaks, suggesting that providing lunch on hybrid workdays could encourage onsite presence. Meanwhile, CAVA is experimenting with “hybrid kitchens” to boost its catering operations and has already catered for professional sports teams.
Chuy’s sees off-premises sales, including catering, as a strong segment, contributing significantly to total sales, while Biscuitville offers a specialized holiday catering menu featuring party-sized biscuits and sausage balls. Similarly, Bloomin’ Brands is partnering with ezCater to enhance off-premises sales.
Smaller chains like 4 Rivers Smokehouse are not far behind, with offerings on their website and via Goldbelly, including holiday-themed gift sets. These developments reflect a broader industry trend where catering is seen as a valuable channel for growth.
