GoTab Handhelds Fuel the 2025 Chicago Marathon with Industry Icon Blue Plate Catering
OVERVIEW: More than 50,000 runners and 1.7 million spectators filled Grant Park this year for the 47th annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Behind the scenes, it was nothing short of a coordinated army operation. Chicago-based Blue Plate Catering, one of the city’s most recognized names in hospitality, partnered with GoTab to keep the food and beverage lines moving smoothly for one of the city’s busiest weekends.
For Blue Plate, the Chicago Marathon isn’t just another event. The company has been part of the race’s tradition for nearly three decades, managing everything from VIP runner tents to high-volume concessions.
This year, the team relied on GoTab’s handheld POS devices to serve thousands of guests quickly and efficiently – without losing connection or slowing down service in the middle of Grant Park.
“We were out in the middle of the park using Wi-Fi hotspots, and everything worked perfectly,” said Kelly McCaffrey, operations manager for Blue Plate. “Nothing went down, and that’s a big deal when you’re serving hundreds of people an hour.”
The Challenge and How GoTab Helped
Running food operations for one of the largest marathons in the world is no small feat.
While the spotlight was on the tens of thousands of runners crossing the finish line, Blue Plate Catering faced a different kind of endurance test. The company needed to serve thousands of spectators quickly, outdoors, and without the luxury of a traditional restaurant setup.
Blue Plate’s on-site setup included two concession tents and six GoTab POS devices, staffed by a team of cashiers and runners who kept the lines moving from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu featured crowd favorites like burgers, Polish sausages, hot dogs, Impossible Brats, and beer – comfort food designed for marathon spectators who spent hours cheering on runners.
“During peak times, we had lines of 50 people, and our team was moving fast,” McCaffrey said. “It gets intense, but it’s fun chaos.”
To prepare for race day, Blue Plate collaborated closely with GoTab’s client success team to input menu items and pricing ahead of time.
On-site, GoTab’s handheld devices – using tap-to-pay functionality and digital receipts – helped eliminate the need for printers or paper tickets.
“We didn’t have to print anything,” McCaffrey explained. “Guests could scan a QR code or have their receipt emailed. It kept everything simple and efficient.”
A Longtime Chicago Institution
Founded more than 40 years ago, Blue Plate began with Founder/CEO Jim Horan cooking sandwiches out of a van and has since grown into one of Chicago’s most trusted names in full-service catering, events, and workplace dining. The company manages everything from corporate luncheons to large-scale festivals and galas.
For McCaffrey, who joined Blue Plate three and a half years ago after working as a chef, the company’s presence at the Chicago Marathon is a reflection of its values centered around community, teamwork, and excellence under pressure.
“There’s a lot of pre-planning and logistics that go into it like tables, tents, ice, Wi-Fi, food prep and it’s a rush,” she said. “But once it all comes together, it’s exciting. You see your whole team working like a machine.”
The GoTab Difference
Blue Plate first began using GoTab’s POS system for catering orders during the pandemic and has since also relied on it for large-scale, high-traffic events. McCaffrey says the GoTab client success team plays a major role in their confidence leading into race day.
“I’ve used GoTab in other areas, too, and every time, the client success team walks me through it,” she said. “They’re so hands-on and responsive that I barely have to worry about setup. I applaud that 100 percent.”
For GoTab Chief Marketing Officer Patricia Mejia, the Chicago Marathon was a real-world test that showed exactly what the company’s platform was built for. “It’s rewarding to know our handhelds can handle an operation as complex and fast-paced as the marathon,” she said.
By mid-afternoon, Blue Plate had served thousands of guests without a single technical hiccup – a point of pride for both teams.
“Everything worked great,” McCaffrey said. “Nothing went out, nothing lagged. It was a good day for us.”
The 47th annual Chicago Marathon may have been about endurance and speed for runners, but behind the finish line, it was also a showcase of precision and partnership.
The event was proof that with the right technology and teamwork, even the busiest day in Chicago can run flawlessly.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Event: 47th Annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Date: October 12, 2025
Venue: Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois
Scale: More than 50,000 runners and over 1.7 million spectators
Partner: Blue Plate Catering
Role: Exclusive concessions and hospitality partner providing food and beverage for attendees and VIP runner tents
GoTab Tools Used:
- GoTab Handheld POS Devices
- Tap-to-Pay and Mobile Payment Capabilities
- QR-Enabled Digital Receipts
- Cloud-Based POS Platform
- GoTab Client Success Support and Pre-Event Configuration
Implementation Details:
- Six handheld POS tablets connected via mobile hotspots in a full outdoor environment
- Menu and pricing uploaded in advance through GoTab’s cloud interface
- Real-time syncing and verification handled by GoTab’s client success team
- Zero connectivity or hardware failures during peak service hours
Impact and Atmosphere:
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Blue Plate’s team of cashiers and runners served thousands of guests under high-pressure conditions. Lines stretched 50 people deep during peak hours, with the aroma of grilled burgers, brats, and hot dogs filling the park. Despite limited power sources and no fixed infrastructure, GoTab handhelds processed transactions smoothly and instantly. The system allowed guests to pay with a tap, receive receipts by QR code or email, and keep lines moving in record time.
Why GoTab Is Built for Events Like This:
GoTab’s cloud-based POS platform is designed for real-world complexity. It gives operators full control in any environment with fast deployment, mobile connectivity, and seamless integrations. From marathons and music festivals to stadiums and corporate events, GoTab keeps every order, payment, and data point connected.
Want GoTab to Power Your Next Event?
Contact GoTab to learn how its platform can fuel your large-scale event with the same reliability and speed that helped Blue Plate serve Chicago’s biggest day without missing a beat.
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