Understanding Catering Niche Markets

There are so many different kinds of events that may require catering services. If you are starting a business then you should try to think of every occasion that someone might hire a catering service for. Then you can go after some of these niche markets specifically and focus your marketing towards them.

You may find that your competitors are not directly targeted some of these sections of the market and you may benefit by going after them.

This article sets out a variety of catering niche markets that you may choose to target as a professional caterer.

Corporate Functions

Servicing corporate functions can be the ‘bread and butter’ for a lot of caterers and it is one area that is known to pay well. Events can include business meetings, opening ceremonies, conferences and social events. The great thing about companies is that you can get their business repeatedly if you do a great job. Some catering businesses can turn an excellent profit on with only 15 to 20 corporate accounts.

Celebrations

Any time that there is cause for celebration and people get together to share their joy caterers can assist by taking the burden of providing food off the hosts shoulders. Celebratory events could include weddings, graduations, birthdays and baby showers.

Everyday Family Life

These days there doesn’t even have to be an event or gathering to warrant catering. Sometimes busy families, with good disposable incomes don’t have time to cook and don’t want to eat out all the time. Dropping off a hot, ready to eat, healthy and delicious meal to this kind of family two or three nights a week is a convenient option for them if they want to avoid fast food. If you are organized and tap into this market you could be catering to 20 or 30 different families in your neighborhood every week night and dropping the food off to them as well.

The Elderly

Living in retirement communities and no longer active, the elderly often crave old-fashioned home style cooking. Catering to elderly folks or to entire retirement communities is definitely worth considering.

Hotels

Try to create relationships with hotels that will allow you to put your menus in the rooms for guests to order meals from you.

Retail and Vending Machines

If you offer cakes, other baked goods, ready to eat meals or any product at all that can suit retail you could consider approaching specialist retailers who may be interested in stocking your products. Vending machine operators also sometimes offer selections of ready to eat meals and a partnership with such a company could work out well.

Other Social Events

Other events could include boat charters and cruises, charity events, pool parties, house warming parties or even funerals. The number of events, occasions and functions that people require catering for is mind-boggling.

Caterers should think about every possible way that they can offer their services. Identify profitable catering niche markets and go after them and your business will thrive.