Catering Services Industry Overview

Excerpt from Catering Services Report

Companies in this industry provide single-event food services at customer-owned and company-owned facilities. No major companies dominate the industry.

Competitive Landscape

Demand is driven by corporate profits and consumer income. The profitability of individual companies depends on cost controls and effective marketing. Large companies have advantages in offering expanded services such as facilities management, room rental, and entertainment. Small companies can compete effectively by serving small groups and offering personalized service. The industry is highly fragmented: the top 50 companies account for less than 15 percent of industry revenue.

Products, Operations & Technology

Major services include off-premises catering (food prepared away from the premises where it's served) and on-premises catering (meals prepared and served at the same location), each of which accounts for about one-quarter of industry revenue. Other services include alcohol sales and facility rentals.