Top 3 Things You Should Be Doing Right Now as a Caterer

In light of COVID-19, we’re all experiencing the same unnerving sense of urgency and uncertainty. There are hard decisions that are being made every day, and for catering companies, this may even feel like a death sentence for some.

Although it’s easier said than done, this is time where community matters and perseverance is crucial. So, as events are being cancelled, postponed, and business continues to be scarce, we wanted to offer you a survival guide. Here are 3 top things that you should be doing right now to help you weather this storm.

Research resources

The question that’s at the top of everyone’s mind right now is: how will I financially be able to survive, or bounce back from this? Thankfully, there are programs that will not only help you rebuild once the dust settles, but ones that can offer assistance in the meantime. 

Specifically, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can provide you with a disaster assistance loan if you’re a small business that’s being impacted by COVID-19. This is a light at the end of the tunnel for many, and we've written another article about getting started with an SBA Disaster Relief Loan to get your started. . 

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans can offer up to $2 million in support to help a small business overcome any temporary loss of revenue during this time.

Cost savings

The natural strategy caterers are jumping into right now is saving money as much as possible. With payroll and lack of cash flow alone, it’s important that we consider places where we can eliminate non-essentials and stretch our dollars.

If you’re one of the countless catering pros that has a brick and mortar, there could be some hope in requesting a partial or full rent reduction from your landlord or property manager. While there’s no guarantee in being granted relief, there are many of our peers in the industry that are having success with this, and more that have found reprieve in deferment on mortgage payments for a small period of time. City-wide utilities in most metropolitan areas are also lifting late fees and keeping service active for all residents.

Furthermore, you might even be devastated by the idea of losing perfectly good food that no longer has an event to go to. One way to ensure that you not only get your money’s worth but may even recoup the costs is to think about how you can make your food accessible to those in areas where supermarkets may be a little too bare. This could mean giving the general public an opportunity to shop around in your kitchen for things to stock up on. 

Pivoting your business

Let’s face it – wedding and event season will need time to bounce back, but it’s a top priority that we continue to put our best foot forward and soldier on. The solution that we’re seeing for many here is temporarily pivoting, meaning that you open your doors and offer resources and services to those that may not necessarily be your target clientele. In this period of despair, there’s nothing better than helping out those who need it the most, and you might even find this to benefit your business in the long run.

An example that we’re seeing industry-wide is caterers that are offering meals to-go or for delivery to first responders, the elderly, the disabled, and any other workers that may be on the front lines. There is a great deal of people who are not able to leave their homes, and likewise, those in the medical/emergency services field that are working long, dangerous hours.

There’s no easy one-and-done answer to the challenges that we’re all facing right now, but for the time being, we can practice kindness and good faith, spread factual evidence to those in need, and do everything we can to stay afloat. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and stay diligent in your cleaning and hygiene practices!