Warm traditions and hearty fare keep Italian restaurants high on consumers’ lists of favorite dining options. The industry’s best stay on top by blending innovation into everything from menu design to online marketing. All types of food service operations can find inspiration in these successful business models.
As different as established Italian restaurants can be, the national leaders have one profitable thing in common: They know how to serve off-site consumers. Their catering menu ideas for large groups, loyal customers and even kids are applicable to operations of all sizes.
Italian Inspiration for Restaurant Catering Menu Ideas
Whether it’s an extension of your restaurant or a stand-alone business, catering is challenging and competitive. Refresh your serving capabilities with this list of seven ideas from some of our favorite Italian food catering menus.
1. Make It Deliciously Simple
The Olive Garden keeps catering simple by offering crowd-pleasing combos. Follow that lead by catering to large parties with your most popular dishes. Offer a premium salad made with hearts of romaine, two different beef and chicken entrees and a pair of irresistible desserts.
2. Let Customers Mix And Match
Prima Pasta of Houston sidesteps simplicity in favor of mixing and matching. This multiple-choice approach makes its Italian restaurant catering menu one of the most popular in the Bayou City. If customers can enjoy it in Prima Pasta’s dining room, they can order it for their big event. This kind of service takes advanced planning, but positive reviews are always worth the extra effort.
3. Go Gourmet With The Seasons
Cucina Enoteca earns consistent accolades with seasonal dishes designed around locally sourced ingredients. This California favorite extends the appeal of its in-house menu with gourmet catering that reflects the freshest tastes of each season. From pizzas topped with pancetta and Brussels sprouts to porcini lasagna, this Urban Kitchen Group restaurant successfully caters to an upscale market.
4. Earn Loyalty With Rewards
As much as loyal guests love your offerings, give them one more reason to let you take care of their next dining event. Johnny Carino’s Pasta Points encourage repeat business by adding up to redemption fun. Used as an Italian restaurant catering menu perk, Carino’s well-managed reward program adds extra value to the customer experience.
5. Open Up To Online Ordering
By controlling the size of online orders, Romano’s Macaroni Grill can offer a full Italian food catering menu and accommodate small groups with a minimum 2-hour notice. The restaurant handles all types of off-site events, but it serves parties of 10 or less with delivery and pick-up through its online ordering portal. This user-friendly catering strategy lets you manage digital customers without overwhelming staff during peak hours.
6. Make The Details Easy To Graze
Can your catering services handle special dietary requests? Do you have a minimum-order requirement? Bucca Di Peppo answers these questions and more with one of our favorite restaurant catering menu ideas. The restaurant lets customers graze the details about on- and off-site catering services with its user-friendly FAQ page.
7. Give Kids Choices Too
Smart catering menu ideas for large groups should always include your younger guests. With 16 locations in New York, La Bottega wins a loyal following across the city with its Children’s Favorites featuring crispy chicken fingers, penne pasta and miniature ravioli. When you develop catering plans that involve families, parents appreciate kid-friendly options for their little ones.
We’re Proud to Serve
While we’ve listed catering strategies from Italian restaurants, these ideas fit all types of food service operations. Whether you cater corporate weekend barbecues or specialize in wedding reception buffets, it’s always our goal to inspire your very best.
Here at Hitchcock Farms, we do our own type of catering. From our fields to your kitchens, we’re committed to growing and shipping the finest fresh vegetables available. As established leaders among California produce companies, we’re proud to do all we can to serve you with our very best.
