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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.

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Sola Salons

Sola Salons Targets Chicago for Strategic Franchise Growth

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Melting Pot

Photo of Melting Pot white chocolate fondue

How Melting Pot Franchisees Drive Year-Round Success Through Strategic Promotions and Local Marketing

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Crust Pizza Co.

Crust Pizza Co. - Technology Piece - CTO Nick Fontenot - May 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Crust Pizza Co. Builds the Future of Franchising With Tech-First Strategy

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Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette’s Recipe for Expansion: Leadership, Community and A Vision for 1,000 Cafés by 2030

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Seniors Helping Seniors®

Franchisee Spotlight with Billy and Anita Clark and Seniors Helping Seniors

Heart and Purpose: Couple Launch Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise in Northern Arizona

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

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