Offering easy and seamless online ordering for drop-off catering orders
Blue Plate Catering had 39 years in business and a strong reputation in and around Chicago. But as workers slowly began returning to the office, the company felt the need to embrace technology. Blue Plate Catering wanted the perfect solution to remain competitive and launch online ordering for its corporate catering drop-off services. The renowned caterer found that ideal partner in GoTab, which helped it build further growth and modernize its operations.
An Attentive, Dedicated Customer service Team
The pandemic had inevitably shrunk the in-house team at Blue Plate Catering. GoTab’s onboarding and customer service team stepped up and quickly became an extension of that team. GoTab rapidly completed a much-needed integration with Blue Plate Catering’s existing system, answered the team’s needs quickly, and created custom functionalities tailored to their operations. This gave the caterer all the tools it needed to succeed through a modernized ordering process. Even today, the team continues to offer a dedicated, custom onboarding process for new employees at Blue Plate Catering.
"At some point, our administrative team was a team of one, and, knowing that I could rely on my dedicated GoTab representatives for any online ordering needs, it felt like they were part of my team and I had constant support from them".
Teryl Thurman, Director of Delivery Sales for Blue Plate Catering
Innovative Menu Features, Custom Functionalities
With GoTab’s help, Blue Plate Catering set up online ordering on its website and for its large contracted accounts. This let the caterer instantly benefit from the innovative menu features of the cloud-based solution. The Blue Plate Catering general menu was available for online ordering directly on the caterer’s website, while custom menus were created for each contracted account. With GoTab, the team has the tools to seamlessly and easily update all menus, add imagery, and set up custom pricing for each customer.
Tailored functionalities were created to adjust GoTab’s capabilities to better serve Blue Plate Catering. The team built in order minimums, set up a cut-off time for next-day orders, and even used existing zone features to create various delivery zones with corresponding delivery fees. GoTab’s two-way text communications came in handy for updating customers on delivery issues or delays, while online ordering virtually eliminated ordering mistakes, delivery snafus, and invoicing challenges.
Alleviating Admin Tasks And Bringing Cost Efficiency
With online ordering via GoTab fully set up, the team spends considerably less time on the phone taking or discussing orders with customers. This frees up their time to ensure customer satisfaction. Meanwhile, many customers have fully embraced online ordering of catering orders, appreciating GoTab’s flexible, easy-to-navigate interface and convenient features such as easy reordering.
The Blue Plate Catering team also noticed that many online orders come through after 5pm, outside office hours for the administrative team. This means GoTab allows them to capture that business and avoid missing out on these catering order opportunities. With GoTab’s reporting features, they can streamline menus, better forecast their needs, and optimize inventory.
"With GoTab, we have a macro perspective on what sells well and what menu offerings need to be adjusted. We are able to forecast better, be cost-efficient, and ultimately switch our menus to feature kitchen-driven selections instead of customer-driven selections".
Teryl Thurman
GoTab also makes invoicing and marketing easier and less time-consuming. The team can create and send out discounts faster, update monthly specials and holiday-themed offerings, and communicate with guests directly through the built-in marketing tools within the GoTab platform.
Expanding The Use Of GoTab Beyond Corporate Catering
Beyond its corporate catering drop-off services, Blue Plate frequently gets asked by corporate clients to provide food and beverage offerings at large events, such as the annual Shamrock Shuffle or summer sailing races. The team uses GoTab’s technology to take orders via handheld tablets directly at events, or to set up online pre-ordering for F&B pick-up for race participants. Blue Plate is also working closely with GoTab on new, enhanced features launching in the coming months. These features will help the caterer keep competing with large corporate catering providers and, ultimately, further expand revenue.
