Corporate Caterers As Competitors
As a three-man operation, corporate caterers drive me a little bit crazy. Most of the time they bid on jobs that are way out of my capabilities, but occasionally we butt heads over smaller weddings. I feel like they have enough business and should leave my small piece of the pie alone.
I ran into the head of a group of corporate caterers at a business leader’s luncheon last year. She was so rude to me. I know that we have different styles and travel in different social circles, but we are in the same business. I felt like she could have treated me with more respect.
There was one wedding this spring that I wanted to cater. I put a bid in for the job and cooked a sample plate for the mother of the bride. One of my competitors belongs to an organized group of corporate caterers. He showed up after me and undercut my price. I already price my work very competitively and can’t start a price war with corporate caterers.
I was really steamed because I thought that they would pick the corporate caterers over me because of the price. They chose me and told me that they liked and needed my personal touches to make the wedding day perfect. I was relieved, but I was still angry that the corporate caterers had gotten me so irritated.
I see a need for corporate caterers when a banquet for five hundred people is what is planned. I don’t think that corporate caterers need to get into the business of small family weddings and pool parties. Those are areas of my expertise and that of a bunch of other catering sole proprietorships.
I don’t think that I’ve seen the last of the corporate caterers, but I’ve learned some lessons from their mistakes. I always address the clients respectfully and not just assume that it is okay to call people by their first name, even if I know the name. I also know that clients want to feel like they are your only project and that you care about the event.
