Catering - Do you use Square or a third party system?

[lilisalazar]

We're currently exploring setting up a catering order form, i've done some in the past using Jotform such as this one here - https://tierradelsolpdx.com/catering

Is anyone using Square's built in online ordering for catering orders? If so i'd love to see your setup/link! 

What i've found confusing is that the online ordering menus are all tied together with the main ordering page, there's no way to separate the categories, for example Regular Menu vs. Catering menu in separate ordering pages..unless i'm missing a work around..

TIA! 

[indianathomas]

Yes,

We have a website co-business called Keva Berries.  Keva.com goes to Keva Berries (www.kevaberries.com).  Keva Berries allows us to control the order time, quantities, and place notes.  Square, however, does have limitations.  

Notes:

1. You have the ability to set DATES and order prep times, however, it has to be done through pickup or delivery settings.  Shipping settings will not work.
2. You can set order prep teams in case you have need time to produce all of the items.
3. You can setup DELIVERY and setup your fulfillment as in-store, charge fee's, etc.
4. You can create modifiers for custom requests, notes, etc.
5. You can create a separate contact form for Catering.  This allows you to have a consultative meeting and then have them go back to place there order.

Recommendation's

1. Use eZcater.com first, hence, it's like a trusted shopping mall for businesses that want catering services.
2. Setup a CATEGORY called Catering and a sub-category for your different catering options.
3. Use Manus.AI to generate a catering site for Square based your brand, colors, theme, etc.
4. Begin with the customer journey in mind.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[elponce]

Hi there! We have a brick and mortar restaurant and do a lot of catering.  I’m on ezCater but don’t love them, plus there’s commission and I don’t get the customer data to be able to market to them.

Originally I had catering on our regular online ordering site, but it was very confusing for customers.  I have square for restaurants plus which I don’t have to pay for a subscription on each location, so I set up a separate catering location.  I added invoicing plus to the plan so I can save on processing fees and create estimates with packages, and there is more flexibility with taking payments and retainers. The project feature in invoicing is something we are using for weddings and more full service events.  I will break down the process below, but you can also see the flow if you go to elponce.com

Catering location has a free website through square- this offers online ordering for pickup only.  I’m considering adding delivery so would love to know if anyone has had experience with catering delivery- we use the feature on our other location for the restaurant and love it, just not sure how they would handle large orders since I want to ensure the experience matches the price.

We have a google form on the homepage of the online ordering site for catering that allows guests to inquire about delivery, private events and offsite catering.

Once we receive an inquiry the catering sales manager sends an estimate through square invoices.  If it is a simple order with delivery for drop off, usually they pay the invoice and we handle delivery or use a local service to deliver.  

For offsite events with service we usually schedule a call and then send the estimate, sometimes with multiple packages for upselling- we offer bar and decor services as well as different levels of service for events.  Another great feature of invoices plus is the ability to attach contracts and different customizations.  These orders are where we use the projects feature, you can upload docs, create notes and it helps to keep everything in one place and the team can all see who is doing what.  
I also love to see the sales separated from the restaurant so we can really track cogs, and ROI since the margins are different from our regular menu.

[thelandofkush]

We use Square Site for catering orders for pickup order only at this time.  Our site is landofkush.com.