Why Holiday and Event Catering Matters in Florida
Catering turns big events into big checks. You sell trays, not plates, and your average ticket soars high. Families plan early and spend more money. Offices look for good partners who they can rebook with on a consistent basis. The upside is huge, but so is the cost of mistakes. Late drop-offs or missing items cost you both money and reputation. According to the National Restaurant Association, off-premises dining, including catering, has become a core revenue stream for restaurants nationwide, not just an add-on. Florida’s year-round event calendar makes this trend even more powerful.
Your point-of-sale system should help keep you ahead of the pack. It should be easy to train staff, fast at the counter, and clear for the kitchen. It should also have support for drivers and delivery, so you can stay on time.
Common Roadblocks and How Your POS Fixes Them
Menu Complexity
Create catering menus within the POS. Duplicate packages fast. Add notes for allergies and cooking temps for staff so they never have to guess. For example, create a 25-person package, duplicate it for 50, make modifications, and send it to the kitchen in minutes.
Order Volume and Tracking
Label catering orders in such a way that they are unique. Easily check their status and reduce back‑and‑forth. Notate prep times and delivery times without paper or relying on memory. Set cut-off times and max capacity to avoid overbooking on busy days.
Online Ordering That Syncs With Your POS
Your Florida restaurant POS should allow guests to make a reservation selecting the date, time, number of people, and delivery location. The POS sends confirmation and prep windows, keeping your phone lines open. Allow customers to pay deposits via text message or email.
Pricing and Fees
Charge delivery, set up, or staffing fees per order. Offer discounts for larger orders to reward larger groups. Display the entire amount at the time of check out to avoid conflicts.
Reporting and Cost Control
Monitor the best selling packages. Track food and labor expenses by event, by day, by hour. Find where food is getting wasted and adjust portions quickly. This data can be used to establish base levels, come up with prep lists, and schedule staff with ease.
Local Support During Peak Season
Holidays are hectic and you need fast help. With Florida POS local support, you get real people that will be there when you need them most. When a printer stops working at 5pm and you need a quick fix, you’ll get it fixed, not a ticket number. With local techs, you don’t have to wait to call and speak to them or have them visit your location.
A recent study by Hospitality Technology found that more than 70% of restaurants are investing in POS automation and integration to handle higher off-premise order volume which is exactly what catering demands during busy holiday seasons.
Build a Catering Menu That Sells
- Offer three distinct packages: Basic, Premium, and Deluxe.
- Display price per person with headcount tiers.
- Use your most popular combos as the default.
Offer local bestsellers that are crowd friendly, like Cuban sandwiches in Miami, shrimp and grits in Jacksonville, or key-lime dessert trays around the state. Use quality photos and short descriptions of dishes so customers feel confident. For pickup orders, include reheating tips and recommended portions per package.
Restaurant Business Online reports that corporate holiday parties and large group events are expected to grow again this year, especially in states like Florida where tourism and hospitality drive demand. That makes now the perfect time to refine your catering menu.
Use Your POS to Drive More Catering
- Email and text message previous customers with early-order discounts.
- Add upsells such as desserts and beverages at checkout.
- Label high-value customers and track repeat orders.
Send out messages around important dates like holidays or professional events. Track which offers result in the most orders, then repeat what works best. Keep your list fresh by using simple A/B tests on your subject lines and promotions.
What Next?
Want a POS with catering menus that book out your calendar? Get a demo today. We will install your Florida restaurant POS, load in your catering packages, and back you up with 24/7 local support so you can focus on what you do best. We can also import your other menus, configure taxes and fees, and train your staff so everyone is ready before the rush.
Request a demo or call us at (239) 549-5055.
