1851

After nearly three years, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1174156/caterer-industry-market-size-us/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-catering-is-on-the-menu-this-thanksgiving-and-why-franchise-brands-should-take-note-2720465" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$12 billion&nbsp;</a>catering industry is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2022/grocery-stores-will-be-big-winners-this-holiday-season/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-catering-is-on-the-menu-this-thanksgiving-and-why-franchise-brands-should-take-note-2720465" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">surpassing</a> its pre-COVID revenue levels with a larger portion of total food sales than ever before — just in time for Thanksgiving.&nbsp;Catering was already on an upswing this year due to the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/as-the-demand-for-flexible-workspaces-has-grown-30-iwg-parent-of-regus-spaces-and-other-flexible-workspace-brands-targets-1000-additional-locations-2720214#featured">return to office headwinds</a> following the pandemic. “In the first half of 2022, we’ve seen nearly a 20% increase in customers searching for ‘catering’ on Instacart compared to the same period last year,” Instacart Vice President of Product&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanettemedlinbarlow/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-catering-is-on-the-menu-this-thanksgiving-and-why-franchise-brands-should-take-note-2720465" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jeanette Barlow</a> said in a statement.Now,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/hope-incoming-a-look-at-whats-ahead-for-the-franchise-industry-2718786">inflation</a> and record high grocery prices have officially made it more affordable to order out than to cook at home for the first time in decades, a recent Wells Fargo&nbsp;<a href="https://global.wf.com/hub_blog/year-dine-thanksgiving/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-catering-is-on-the-menu-this-thanksgiving-and-why-franchise-brands-should-take-note-2720465" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">analysis</a> finds. Price hikes in the retail sphere are up 10.8%, while restaurants are only seeing a 7.2% increase in menu pricing,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrn.com/finance/inflation-growth-slows-slightly-full-service-menu-prices-climb-record-high?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-catering-is-on-the-menu-this-thanksgiving-and-why-franchise-brands-should-take-note-2720465" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nation’s Restaurant News reports</a>.And with the added bonus of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/02/turkey-shortage-thanksgiving-2022?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-catering-is-on-the-menu-this-thanksgiving-and-why-franchise-brands-should-take-note-2720465" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">turkey</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://nypost.com/2022/09/15/thanksgiving-could-be-ruined-amid-looming-cranberry-shortage/?fbclid=IwAR190rjSmxzje2aKLj2PwY_PMleMGhFs459qAMyCdROStsk_A64u0zGtXUw&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-catering-is-on-the-menu-this-thanksgiving-and-why-franchise-brands-should-take-note-2720465" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">cranberry</a> shortages, more Americans are choosing to opt out of home-cooked Thanksgiving meals altogether this year. Instead, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/study-almost-half-guests-will-order-thanksgiving-meals-restaurants?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-catering-is-on-the-menu-this-thanksgiving-and-why-franchise-brands-should-take-note-2720465" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">survey</a> this month by Popmenu found that 45% of U.S. consumers plan to order all or part of their Thanksgiving meal from restaurants.For many restaurant franchisors, catering can greatly improve revenue due to its high margins and high order values. Similar to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/top-ghost-kitchen-franchise-opportunities-of-2022-2718241">ghost kitchens</a>, adding a catering strategy allows restaurants to leverage their existing kitchen and established following to carve out a new revenue stream. When done right, catering can improve a restaurant’s exposure, bring in higher profits and enhance a restaurant’s customer service image, especially around the holidays.Over the past year, several major franchisors, including QSR giants like Jimmy John's, Subway and Chick-Fil-A, have successfully added catering components to their operations. Popeyes was even selling a <a href="https://www.axios.com/2022/10/19/popeyes-thanksgiving-turkey-orders-prices?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-catering-is-on-the-menu-this-thanksgiving-and-why-franchise-brands-should-take-note-2720465" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cajun-style Thanksgiving turkey</a> this year, which cost $94.99 with delivery, but it appears they are already sold out.Related articles:<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/looking-to-add-additional-revenue-for-your-restaurant-think-catering-4660#stories">Looking to Add Additional Revenue for Your Restaurant - Think Catering</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/menu-prices-are-rising-to-record-breaking-highs-2717175">Menu Prices Are Rising to Record-Breaking Highs</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/shuckinshack/shuckin-shack-ceo-explains-why-grocery-price-hikes-lead-to-restaurant-sales-2718941#stories">Shuckin’ Shack CEO Explains Why Grocery Price Hikes Lead to Restaurant Sales</a></li></ul>

Why Catering is On the Menu This Thanksgiving and Why Franchise Brands Should Take Note

1851 Franchise

According to recently released data, it's more economical for the first time in decades to dine out on Thanksgiving than to shop for, cook and clean up after a traditional meal.

why-catering-is-on-the-menu-this-thanksgiving-and-why-franchise-brands-should-take-note

SweatHouz

SweatHouz SWTHZ Franchise - Hunter and Mallory Mitchem - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Aerospace to Wellness: Hunter Mitchem’s Journey to a SweatHouz Empire

sweathouz-franchise-hunter-mitchem-6g

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Onigilly - Low Operating Costs Drive High Returns for Franchisees - 1851 Franchise

Maximize Your ROI: How Onigilly’s Low Operating Costs Drive High Returns for Franchisees

onigilly-franchise-fast-casual-franchise-opportunity

Layne's Chicken Fingers

What Is the Layne’s Franchise Disclosure Document, and What Will I Find in It?

laynes-franchise-disclosure-document

Athletech News: How SWTHZ Delivers on Wellness Demands of All Kinds

swthz-delivers-wellness-demands-contrast-therapy

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Why Protected Territories Matter and How the TruBlue Franchise Delivers

why-protected-territories-matter-and-how-the-trublue-franchise-delivers

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

The American Franchise Act: What It Means for Franchisors and Franchisees - 1851 Franchise

The American Franchise Act: What It Means for Franchisors and Franchisees

american-franchise-act-joint-employer-standard

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

Top Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Arts and Creative Learning Franchises for 2025

top-arts-creative-learning-franchises

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Why Catering is On the Menu This Thanksgiving and Why Franchise Brands Should Take Note

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS