By: Daniel Roberts

“You don’t need a bigger dining room to grow; just smarter customers ordering more often,” says Dan Roland, Co-Founder at Katalyst.

Across the country, restaurants are serving full dining rooms while still facing challenges to increase profits. Rising costs, labor shortages, and tight margins make it increasingly difficult to rely solely on traditional operations.

But the answer, according to Katalyst, isn’t necessarily more seats.

It’s building recurring catering revenue.

Katalyst is helping restaurants tap into this often overlooked opportunity. Their platform enables restaurants to attract, convert, and retain catering clients (particularly in the B2B space) with minimal hardware and a straightforward setup.

Recurring Revenue Restaurants May Be Overlooking

Catering is not a new concept, but many restaurants still treat it as an occasional service. They may wait for a phone call or rely on outdated order forms. Some don’t even advertise catering services.

According to Roland, many restaurants are missing out on “a potentially consistent and high-margin revenue stream.”

“Businesses order food frequently,” he points out. “If you’re not making it easy for them, they might not return.”

Companies with recurring needs — like weekly training lunches, quarterly events, or regular department meetings — tend to prefer restaurants that are reliable and easy to work with. Katalyst helps restaurants meet these needs by introducing structure, automation, and visibility.

Turning a Single Catering Order Into a Long-Term Client

Corporate clients already exist in many cities. Think corporate offices, dealerships, colleges, and hospitals. However, many restaurants only serve these businesses once.

Katalyst’s system assists in turning a one-off catering order into an ongoing relationship. Restaurants can save customer preferences, manage recurring schedules, and streamline reorders. The entire system is designed for repeat business.

The beauty of this approach is that it requires minimal execution effort after the initial setup.

“If it goes smoothly, that business is likely to come back,” says Bill Roland, Founding Partner and lifelong restaurateur. “We help restaurants transform that first order into a reliable income stream.”

The technology offers features like automated reminders, minimum order thresholds, flexible lead times, and integrated delivery tracking. This allows restaurant owners to set clear expectations and deliver a polished experience.

Targeting Businesses, Not Just Diners

Traditional restaurants are designed to cater to walk-in guests, but business clients often have different priorities. They focus less on ambiance and more on simplicity, timing, and scalability.

“Recurring catering isn’t just about food,” Bill explains. “It’s also about service quality and reliability.”

Restaurants using Katalyst can meet this demand by offering order confirmations, on-time delivery, and digital receipts. The system supports corporate payment methods, including stored cards and centralized billing.

For instance, one of Katalyst’s clients began serving Johnson & Johnson’s training facility. They now cater weekly meals for up to 100 employees. These orders are regular and offer strong margins.

Customer loyalty is built on trust and ease of use.

Eliminate Barriers with a Simple Setup

One of the key reasons restaurants avoid catering is the perception of complexity. Many assume it requires new equipment, new staff, or a complete system overhaul. Katalyst alleviates these concerns.

The platform requires no new hardware and integrates smoothly with the restaurant’s existing tech. Owners can keep their current POS and still launch catering services. Katalyst even offers a catering-only option at a low monthly price.

Setup is quick. Menus are uploaded digitally, and the team helps owners define delivery zones, prep times, and pricing. Many restaurants can start accepting catering orders within a day or two.

“This isn’t a massive project,” Dan notes. “It’s just a quick setup and a login.”

Flexible Delivery Options
Katalyst helps restaurants manage delivery without friction. Operators can choose from three models:

• Use in-house drivers.

• Use a hybrid model (some in-house, some outsourced).

• Outsource entirely through Katalyst’s delivery integration.

The system connects with providers like DoorDash Drive and Uber Direct, as well as regional courier services. Restaurants maintain control and visibility. Customers receive real-time updates.

“That $1,000 catering order needs to arrive on time and intact,” Bill states. “With our logistics, restaurants can ensure that happens.”

Built-In Marketing for Repeat Orders

Restaurants can’t rely solely on word-of-mouth to build a reliable catering base. Katalyst helps generate awareness and keep new customers engaged.

Operators can embed catering menus directly on their websites or create custom ordering links. QR codes at tables or receipts encourage dine-in guests to plan future catering orders.

Loyalty integrations and email capture help to reconnect with previous buyers. Restaurants can offer simple incentives like “25% off your first catering order” to encourage customers to give it a try.

As Bill explains, restaurants already have customers who appreciate their food. Katalyst just gives them a way to tap into that customer base and inspire repeat business.

“Now they can order for their whole office,” Bill adds, “instead of just their table.”

High Margin, Low Effort, and Sustainable Growth

Recurring catering clients don’t just boost top-line revenue. They can improve profitability. A single $1,500 catering order can match the revenue of an entire night of dining room service without the same overhead costs.

And unlike seasonal surges or one-off events, B2B catering is often predictable. Most offices run meetings, trainings, and team lunches regularly, which creates the potential for ongoing business.

“If your competitor is getting weekly catering orders from five companies, they could be pulling ahead,” Dan suggests. “That’s revenue you might have been able to secure.”

With Katalyst, restaurants don’t need to build a completely new system. They simply integrate a new revenue stream and start cultivating client relationships that can provide long-term benefits.

From One Order to Ongoing Income

Many restaurants hesitate to offer catering because they believe it’s difficult to manage or scale. Katalyst is designed to remove these barriers. The platform makes it simple to earn recurring business from customers who already prefer reliable partners.

Restaurants that use Katalyst in this way aren’t just adding a feature to their operations. They are establishing a system that could yield consistent weekly profits.

For more information on building recurring catering revenue for your restaurant, you can visit Katalyst’s official website.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The services and platform capabilities mentioned may vary based on the specific needs and circumstances of individual restaurants. Results may differ, and there are no guarantees of success or profitability. Always conduct thorough research and consider professional consultation before making business decisions.