Placing large catering orders for corporate occasions can be stressful and time consuming. Luckily, purpose-built catering technology provides tech-savvy corporate customers with the right technical tools to help food-service businesses deliver the convenient, seamless catering experience organizations expect.
Catering technology: how has it changed the industry?
In decades past, catering companies operated like most businesses in the hospitality industry, using basic computer programs and a piecemeal collection of basic technology. Many functions were separate; orders came in over the phone, managers processed credit cards and checks manually, and staff work schedules were printed and distributed to employees in person.
The rise of catering technology created a considerable shift in the industry. Manufacturers have developed software programs that streamline nearly every business process. With their help, common tasks such as booking, staffing, food prep, and inventory management are more efficient and convenient.
One of the most impactful trends to hit the catering world was online booking software. These programs enable customers to book catering, choose a menu, and pay for service in one online visit. Orders do not need to be placed over the phone where there is potential for miscommunication or human error and clients aren’t restricted by business hours; they can complete the process any time of day or night.
Online booking software, such as Grubhub Corporate Accounts also serve as discovery platforms that expose consumers to a wider range of restaurants and catering companies they previously may not have known about. Because there are no restrictions on order size on Grubhub’s platform, users can order a small lunch or a full-scale buffet dinner — this technology reduces barriers to entry and provides organizations with flexibility when it comes to their corporate ordering.
How to choose the best catering technology for corporate ordering
If your company orders catered meals on a regular basis, the right corporate ordering platform can streamline the process. Follow these steps to find a technology partner that meets your company’s needs:
- Identify pain points. What’s not working about your current ordering solution? You might be struggling to include remote workers in catered meals or satisfy employees’ unique dietary restrictions, for example. In larger companies, it’s often a challenge to track receipts, reimburse employees for meals, or manage multiple invoices.
- Evaluate features. Look for programs that resolve your company’s top catering challenges. If you want to offer catered meals to both remote and in-office workers, choose a platform that allows you to set individual employee meal budgets. Other top features include traditional catering, meal scheduling, and convenient invoicing.
- Consider catering needs. The right ordering platform should be able to handle all your events, whether you host small catered meetings or large conferences.
- Test top contenders. Explore a few different programs to test the interface, features, ordering process, and invoicing system.
- Speak to actual users. Talk to other businesses that are currently using the corporate ordering platforms on your shortlist. They can provide honest reviews and help you determine if the technology is a good fit.
Benefits of using catering technology
The right type of catering technology can have far-reaching benefits for your business. It takes the hassle out of corporate ordering, so you can provide employees and clients with meals on a pre-planned or impromptu basis. Programs such as Grubhub Corporate Accounts offer benefits including:
- Individual, group, and catered orders
- Invoicing to a single account
- Large selection of restaurants
- Familiar and intuitive ordering interface
- Built-in controls to keep costs in check
Corporate ordering platforms also reduce administrative overhead; employees can simply log in and order at their convenience. Receipts go directly to the company account for fast, efficient billing and bookkeeping.
To enjoy the full benefits of corporate catering technology, stick to a few best practices:
- Choose a platform that’s easy for employees to use
- Train employees in necessary technical skills
- Set budgets and timing rules in advance
- Encourage employees to order according to heir tastes and diets
- Plan technology integration for a slow period to minimize disruptions
Catering technology makes the ordering and scheduling process easier for both restaurants and corporate clients. If your business is looking to ramp up its meal perks, an ordering platform such as Grubhub Corporate Accounts can save time and help you manage costs. To see how it works, get started today.
