Press Release
May 19, 2016
ezCater Highlights Explosive Growth in Corporate Catering with Lists of “Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chains” and “Independent Restaurants to Watch in 2016”
HoneyBaked Ham, and Boston Market are Fast-Growing Restaurant Chains on ezCater’s Platform; Up-and-Coming Independent Restaurants to Watch Include Firinji, Courageous Bakery, and Virginia BBQ
BOSTON – May 19, 2016 – In advance of the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago from May 21-24, ezCater, the only nationwide marketplace for business catering, released its list of the 25 fastest-growing restaurant chains on its platform. It also unveiled the 25 independent restaurants and caterers to watch in the year ahead. The higher-than-average order acceleration underscores the growth these restaurants are experiencing in their catering business by reaching new corporate customers through ezCater’s online platform.
According to food industry research firm Technomic, business catering is a $19.6 billion market. Through its online marketplace, ezCater makes it easy for restaurants and caterers across the country to grow their businesses and take advantage of this enormous market opportunity. While chain restaurants such as Ruby Tuesday are typically known for providing sit-down, eat-in experiences, ezCater’s data shows that chains are increasingly tapping into the lucrative business catering market. At the same time, smaller independent restaurants and caterers are also capitalizing on the opportunity.
“Catering for businesses has become a large part of my work,” said Budo Bunul, owner at Firinji, a Turkish-inspired café in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. “Prior to getting on the ezCater platform, I received some catering orders, but it was hard to get noticed by people traveling to the area who didn’t know about Firinji. Once I got on ezCater, my catering business grew significantly.”
Fastest Growing Chain Restaurants on ezCater’s Platform
· Au Bon Pain
· Baja Fresh Mexican Grill
· Boston Market
· Buca di Beppo
· Cosi
· Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
· Firehouse Subs
· HoneyBaked Ham
· Jersey Mike’s Subs
· Moe’s Southwest Grill
· McAlister’s Deli
· Newk’s Eatery
· On the Border
· Pita Pit
· Roly Poly Sandwiches
· Ruby Tuesday
· Saladworks
· Salsarita’s Fresh Cantina
· Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes
· Togo’s Sandwiches
· Tropical Smoothie Cafe
· Villa Italian Kitchen
· Which Wich
· Zoup!
Independent Restaurants to Watch in 2016 on ezCater’s Platform
· Acropolis Pizza (Arden, NC)
· Bagel Cafe & Catering (New York, NY)
· Big Country BBQ (Denver, CO)
· Borracho Tacos (Buena Park, CA)
· Bourgeois Pig Café (Chicago, IL)
· Chad Anthony’s Italian Grille (Youngstown, OH)
· Courageous Bakery (Elmhurst, IL)
· Erik’s DeliCafe (Cupertino, CA)
· Firinji (Ardmore, PA)
· Green Market Café (Clearwater, FL)
· Green Olive Cuisine (Compton, CA)
· Jose’s Mexican (Cambridge, MA)
· Mara’s Cafe & Bakery (Denville, NJ)
· Maza Mediterranean Grill & Lounge (Las Vegas, NV
· Mici Handcrafted Italian (Denver, CO)
· New Morning Bakery (Corvallis, OR)
· Perks Cafe and Market (Buffalo, NY)
· Pizza Capri (Chicago, IL)
· Roma’s Pizza & Restaurant (Dallas, TX)
· Shish Kabob (Raleigh, NC)
· Soda Pop’s (Los Angeles, CA)
· Surf Shack Coastal Kitchen (Westchase, FL)
· Urban Sub (St. Louis Park, MN)
· Virginia BBQ (Manassas, VA)
· Zia’s On the Hill (St. Louis, MO)
“Business catering is a big market, but it can be difficult for restaurants and caterers to win new corporate customers or become a new office favorite,” said ezCater Director of Caterer Partnerships, Victoria Brady. “Nothing makes us happier than seeing our platform enable restaurants of all sizes – from large chains to local favorites – reach a new market and grow their businesses.”
ezCater at NRA Show 2016
Restaurants and caterers interested growing their corporate catering business can get more information and speak with ezCater representatives at NRA Show 2016 by visiting Booth #8637 on the show exhibit floor. Those not attending the show can learn more by visiting https://www.ezcater.com/join.
About ezCater
ezCater is the only nationwide marketplace for business catering. ezCater’s online ordering, on-time ratings and reviews, and insanely helpful 5-star customer service connect businesspeople to reliable catering for any meeting, anywhere in the United States. For more information or to place an order, visit www.ezcater.com.
Media Contact
Keri Bertolino
fama PR for ezCater
ezCater@famapr.com
617-986-5007