- Why Repeat Business Matters More In Catering?
- What Are Customer Profiles And Order History?
- How This Data Helps Caterers Drive Repeat Business?
- Personalization That Keeps Clients Coming Back
- Loyalty Tools Caterers Can Actually Use
- Operational Benefits For The Business Owner
- Connecting All Channels In One System
- Next Steps: Make Loyalty Work For Your Catering Business
- FAQ
It costs money and time to acquire a new catering client. Getting customers to return generates more income at a lower expense.
Repeat clients spend more, expect less back-and-forth, and are easier to serve. But they only come back if they feel remembered. That means knowing what they ordered, what they liked, and how they want things done.
This article shows how using customer profiles and order history helps you build real customer loyalty. You’ll see how caterers use this info to get repeat business, improve service, and stay organized. We’ll also show how Orders.co makes it easy to keep track of all this without extra work from your team.
Key Takeaways
- Repeat clients spend more and are easier to serve.
- Customer profiles and order history improve personalization.
- Orders.co automates loyalty tracking and follow-ups.
- Built-in rewards encourage clients to rebook.
- One dashboard keeps everything organized and accurate.
Why Repeat Business Matters More In Catering?
Catering clients have higher expectations, bigger orders, and require more preparation than regular customers. In contrast to standard dine-in or takeout, most catering is scheduled in advance.
Because of this, every occurrence presents a greater chance and a greater danger in the event that it doesn’t work out.
Getting a new client takes effort: quotes, menu planning, calls, and logistics. But when someone books again, most of that’s already done. You already know what worked, what didn’t, and how to make the next event smoother.
Repeat clients often fall into two groups:
- Corporate accounts that order regularly: monthly lunches, holiday parties, team training.
- Social planners who come back for family events, weddings, or referrals.
Recent reports highlight the importance of customer retention: TouchBistro’s analysis found that in the first three months of using their Loyalty program, U.S. venues saw a 12% increase in average transactions, underscoring the financial benefits of repeat business.
Both expect reliable service and often spend more when they feel confident in the service.
The challenge? You need a clear way to remember what they ordered, how much they spent, and what they asked for last time. Manual notes or old invoices won’t cut it.
Customer profiles and order history let you keep track of every detail. That’s how smart caterers stay organized, save time on planning, and get more repeat business without more admin work.
What Are Customer Profiles And Order History?
A customer profile is a saved record of someone who ordered from you. It includes their name, contact info, loyalty status, and order preferences. You can create it when someone places an order, signs up for your loyalty program, or your team adds them manually.
Order history shows everything they’ve ordered in the past. This includes:
- Menu items
- Event type (office lunch, wedding, etc.)
- Number of guests
- Delivery or setup details
- Notes and special requests
Together, these tools give you context. You know, if someone prefers gluten-free options, always orders for 30 people, or wants early morning drop-off.
With Orders.co, this information is saved automatically across website orders, phone-ins, and third-party platforms. It’s easy to access for you and your staff, so anyone handling the next event knows exactly what to offer.
You’re not guessing what to recommend or scrambling through old emails. You’re prepared to serve better and faster, and that’s what keeps people coming back.
How This Data Helps Caterers Drive Repeat Business?
Customer profiles and order history make it easier to give clients a reason to come back. When you know what they ordered and how they like things done, you can offer better service without extra effort.
Here’s how that helps build repeat business:
You suggest the right items
When a client enjoys a specific package, you can offer it again with a simple upgrade. This shows that you remember their preferences and gives them an easy reason to rebook.
You save time in planning
With guest count, menu preferences, and delivery notes saved from previous orders, you can build a new quote faster. You avoid starting from scratch every time.
You avoid mistakes
Special requests like “no dairy” or “include compostable plates” are already stored. That helps your staff get it right without asking again.
You offer better rewards.
Clients who book often or spend more can earn customer loyalty points. With Orders.co, those points are tracked automatically and can be used online or in person.
You follow up with the purpose
After a successful event, send a thank-you message or a reorder offer based on what they liked. A quick follow-up shows professionalism and keeps your business front of mind.
Simple details like these are what turn first-time clients into long-term partners.
Also, read:
- 10 Loyalty Program Ideas For Restaurants
- Mastering The Strategy: Restaurant Email Marketing Automation For Enhancing Customer Loyalty
- Elevate The Dining Experience: Introducing The Ultimate Dining Rewards Program
- Quick And Easy Loyalty Program Software Integrations For Your Restaurant To Strengthen Brand Loyalty
Personalization That Keeps Clients Coming Back
Catering clients expect a personal touch. If they feel remembered and valued, they’re more likely to return. You can provide that experience with Orders.co without increasing the stress for your team.
Every customer profile includes past orders, preferences, and key details like dietary restrictions and delivery notes. This makes it easy to tailor each experience.
Recommend the right items
If a client always orders breakfast platters for morning meetings, you can suggest similar options or time-limited upgrades. You’re offering something that fits, not just pushing a menu.
Remember small but important details
Delivery instructions, favorite setups, or repeat add-ons stay attached to each profile. You don’t have to ask the same questions again.
Reward loyalty where it counts
Orders.co includes a built-in Loyalty Reward Program. You can set up your own rules and give clients points for every order. When they reach a target, they get a reward like a discount or free item. It’s a simple way to thank repeat customers and keep them coming back.
This kind of personal service is what separates one-time bookings from long-term partnerships. And it’s easier to manage when everything runs through one system.
Loyalty Tools Caterers Can Actually Use
A customer loyalty program doesn’t need to be complex to be effective. For catering, it should help you keep your best clients without creating more admin work.
Orders.co’s loyalty tools are designed to integrate with your current workflow. With no spreadsheets, you can offer rewards based on actual consumer behavior.
Here’s what you can do with it:
Set your own rules
Decide how clients earn points. You can base it on order value, number of bookings, or specific menu items.
Reward your top customers
Offer rewards like free items, discounts, or early access to booking dates.
Use it across all ordering channels
Whether the client orders from your website, by phone, or in person, their points are tracked automatically.
See everything in one place
Customer profiles include points, total spending, and order history. You know exactly who’s booking often and who might need a nudge.
Promote it with no extra effort
Use Orders.co’s built-in email and text tools to send reminders or loyalty updates.
A good loyalty program encourages repeat orders and makes your clients feel valued. With Orders.co, it’s easy to set up and even easier to maintain.
Operational Benefits For The Business Owner
Loyal customers are good for business, but managing their preferences, rewards, and orders can get messy without the right system. That’s where using customer profiles and order history really pays off.
Orders.co helps you stay organized while keeping service consistent. It’s not only about increasing profits; it’s also about preventing issues and saving time.
Here’s how:
Faster event planning
Past order data means you don’t have to start from zero with returning clients. What they ordered, the number of attendees, and any notes are all accessible in one location..
Fewer errors
With delivery instructions, dietary notes, and order preferences saved in each profile, your team won’t miss key details or have to ask twice.
Less back-and-forth with clients
Repeat clients appreciate not having to explain their needs every time. You look more professional, and they save time, too.
Easier staff training
New team members can pick up where others left off. All the client info is available through Orders.co’s dashboard, so the service stays consistent.
Better visibility into your top accounts
Use reporting to see which clients book most often or spend the most. This helps you prioritize and tailor your service.
When everything runs through one system, your staff stays focused, your clients stay happy, and you get more done with less effort.
Connecting All Channels In One System
Catering clients don’t just come through one source. Some order from your website, others call in, and some come through platforms like Uber Eats. If you’re not tracking all these in one place, it’s easy to lose important details.
Orders.co brings all your orders and customer data into one system. No more juggling multiple tablets or trying to match up info from different platforms.
Here’s what that looks like:
Unified customer profiles
Whether a client orders from your custom website, a third-party app, or by phone, their profile updates automatically. You always have a full view of their order history and preferences.
One dashboard for everything
Manage orders, update menus, apply customer loyalty program rewards, and view reports: all from one login. This reduces training time and errors.
Consistent service across all channels
Every team member sees the same info. That means clients get a consistent experience, no matter how they place their order.
Save time on updates and reporting
Make one change to a menu item or client note, and it’s reflected everywhere. Run reports without pulling data from different systems.
Not only is this type of setup practical, but it’s essential if you want to expand without adding extra effort. With Orders.co, your data is connected, your team is aligned, and your clients get the same great service every time.
Next Steps: Make Loyalty Work For Your Catering Business
Not only is repeat business good to have, but it’s the foundation of true growth. With customer profiles and order history, you can remember what matters to your clients, offer better service, and get more bookings without extra effort.
Orders.co gives you the tools to make that happen:
- Save and access full order history
- Track customer loyalty program points and offer rewards
- Send smart follow-ups with built-in marketing tools
- Keep everything organized across all order channels
Start keeping your best clients. Let Orders.co help you turn one-time bookings into long-term business.
Want to see how it works? Schedule a quick demo. We’ll walk you through it in 15 minutes.
FAQ
1. Can I track orders from both my website and third-party platforms in one place?
Yes. All of your online orders, whether they originate from DoorDash, Uber Eats, your website, or other sources, are gathered into a single dashboard via Orders.co. You don’t need multiple tablets or systems to keep track.
2. How does Orders.co create customer profiles?
Customer profiles are created automatically when someone places an order, signs up for your loyalty program, or is added manually by your team. These profiles include contact info, order history, customer loyalty points, and preferences.
3. Can I offer loyalty rewards for catering clients?
Absolutely. Orders.co includes a Loyalty Reward Program that works for catering orders, delivery, and in-store purchases. You decide how clients earn and redeem rewards.
4. Do I need a separate tool to send follow-up emails or texts?
No. Orders.co includes built-in marketing tools. You can send automated messages based on order history, like thank-you notes or reorder offers.
5. How hard is it to set up Orders.co for my catering business?
The setup is fast. Most restaurants are ready to go within a few days. You’ll get help from a real person on our team to make sure everything is connected and working for your specific needs.
